How do I convince people that "retard" is a slur?

Question

I have cerebral palsy and associated disabilities and find the term "retard" to be greatly offensive. How do I convince people that it is the equivalent of "******" or "******" and lost meaning ages ago?

The most sensible strategies are:

1) Remind the person they are genetically below par; I merely was born unlucky
2) Headbutt them

And reallyfedup, kiss my palsied white **** you ignorant whinger.

Answer 1

People are jerks and some display their stupidity by using offensive words to describe people. They are so tied up in their own being and perfectionism, that they cannot see or they do not care if they hurt someone else's feelings.

I agree "retard" is a slur since today the PC word would be developmentally delayed. Retardation is a medical disagnosis not a description of the person as a human being. Retardation means slow to learn, not that the person cannot learn.

I would suggest two things the next time someone uses a slur that you find offensive. You could put them on the defensive and ask if they would like to be called X as a description of something about their person. Example would be "you are a blue eyed idiot", etc. OR, you could just say "I realize you have no brains to think with or you would not say that."

Just remember, you cannot change people's attitudes and biases. All you can do is set the example for them to realize their error and stupidity.

Good luck

Answer 2

I agree...retard is an offensive term and people just don't have the knowledge to know when one person is mentally challenged versus someone who has a neurological disorder.

I have a friend who has cerebral palsy and fortunately for him, we are very protective of him. So if anyone says to us "Who's the retard", we usually respond with "First, he isn't a 'retard', he has cerebral palsy. Second, retard means to 'hold back' and if anyone is a quote/unquote 'retard', it is you because you're holding back your mind from exploring who this person is. Lastly, this 'retard' has a masters degree in computer science. Unless you're a PhD, you're not smarter than he is. If you do have a PhD, I wonder how you even got it if you're ignorant enough to call someone a 'retard' ". Usually they have no comeback except to say "F*@K YOU!!!" or something else lame.

Unfortunately in this world, people are ignorant and dumb. In order to compensate for their lack of culture, upbringing, sensitivity and intelligence, they have to put down others who have a handicap.

Update:

One last comment, whoever "reallyfedup" is, that person just proved my point that no matter what one can say to enlighten people, those like "reallyfedup" are nothing but ignorant and unintelligent.

Memo to "reallyfedup", cerebal palsy isn't a learning disorder, it is a neurological disorder. To put it in terms that you may understand, it means that the brain doesn't allow a person to move their limbs or body like those without cerebal palsy. There's nothing wrong with the mind and ability to learn. As for your comment on them wanting "special seats and want everything changed to accommedate them", I guarantee you they would trade in those "special seats and accommodations" just to be able to walk normal. You are the epitome of IGNORAMUS!!!

Answer 3

No different Holy e book is like the Bible the Bible doesnt in simple terms have a pair prophecies, that's a million/3 prophecy, and 2/3 of that prophecy has got here about outdoors non non secular resources might want to authenticate Biblical Scripture like the actual shown actuality that there develop right into a replica of Isaiah discovered in the lifeless sea scrolls that dates about three hundred BC, yet is equivalent to what we've in the Bible in the present day, or the actual shown actuality that there is extra manuscript evidence for the existence of Christ than for all oher historic figures mixed we also get the bonus of documented miracles and adjusted lives

Answer 4

I have a 15 yr daughter with cerebral palsy She is called all kinds of names.... like that. I HATE that word. I we have taught our daughter to be polite to all people & ingore the people who just want to be cruel. She is teased a lot. She has learned to be a stronger person because of it.... but it's not the way she should of had to gain her strength. She wrote an essay about bullying and being teased and won the essay contest at her school. I have never been prouder!

Answer 5

Don't waste your breath trying to convince anyone. A well spoken response is your best weapon. You can't fight ignorance unless people are willing to listen.

Answer 6

When I grew up retarded was the world used for people who had learning problems and couldn't function like everyone else. We called it what it was. Today it seems like everyone wants to make everything seem completely normal by giving in a fancy word. A drunk who has a "drinking problem" is no different than any other drunk. A mentally challenged person as it is called today rather than handicapped, is not challenged mentally. They would be challenged if they went up against difficulties and tried to beat them where as the disabled people I see are doing anything or can't do anything to improve their physical abilities, therefor they aren't challenged. Society can't accept the fact the some people are not equal to others do to physical and mental disabilities. They say they want to be treated equally, but then they demand special seats and want everything changed to accommedate them. People without disabilities like myself get slurred for different reasons often and we don't make a big thing about it. If you really want to be equal act like the rest of us and just blow off the term if they use it as I blow off being called names because I am white.