As a fifteen-year old junior in high school, I have become sick and tired of hearing people use the words "gay" and "retarded". An example of this scenario would be:"That assignment was so gay." or "That assignment was so retarded." Using those words are an insult to both the gay community and the mentally challenged. People do not choose to be gay, and they definitely don't choose to be mentally challenged. Using those words are more than hurtful; they are a blatant sign of pure disrespect. I ask all of those who do catch themselves using the words to please choose an alternate word that is not as offensive as "gay" or "retarded".
Thanks.
2006-11-21 07:55:25 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
These people only doing what was taught to them. The terms "gay" and "retarded" have meant to be negative things only because these are terms that describe people in a negative manner. Folks have been taught to dislike anything that is associated with being gay or retarded. I have to admit, I was one fo those people that used to do this when I was much younger. Now that I am gay myself, I know that anytime these terms were used, it was not meant for any good. I can only hope that you can help people to understand how words can hurt and harm. Thanks for your concern and good luck.
2006-11-21 08:03:32 · answer #1 · answered by dcg42bowler 2 · 5⤊ 3⤋
Words do change over time, for better or for worse. These words have come to have these modern meanings, and they'll probably only solidify that way. I wouldn't be surprised if "retarded" soon becomes as acceptable as using the word "dumb," because nobody uses it to describe the mentally challenged anymore anyway.
I think the bigger concern is when students actually feel and express hate towards these groups. When they use the words, they're often not even thinking about it at this point. It's just in their vocabulary of slang.
2006-11-21 13:12:24 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have to admit that I say that a lot. It is just slang/ bad habit. I have tried to stop saying something is gay though because I said "That is so gay." in front of a gay guy last month and he got offended, I felt really bad. I do call people retard when they are being really funny but I don't mean it in a derogatory way, just that they are hilarious.
2006-11-21 13:14:17 · answer #3 · answered by Sugar Plum Fairy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You're tilting at windmills. If you want to reclaim lost meanings, let's stop using gay to mean homosexual and bring back the original meaning of joyful and happy. Are you going to go on a mission to stop using the term "black comedy", "black Monday", etc. as insulting to African Americans next?
Gay, retarded - in the context you describe these ARE common usages. Only the most PC people are going to get offended - no one in their right mind would think calling an assignment gay is an insult to the homosexual community.
You're young, and your quest is noble, but as you get older you'll find there are far more important issues to tackle.
2006-11-21 09:26:27 · answer #4 · answered by ZenPenguin 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Well seeing that I have a family member that is "retarded" (my brother) I feel more than qualified to answer your question. I do not in any way, shape, or form find the examples you gave offensive. They are being used as expressions not insults, I am not offended by the expression "that's retarded" and neither is my brother. I think that you are waaaay too sensitive, and that for every gay person who might take offense to the expression 20 others would see it for what it is, NOT an insult directed at gay people. Get a life and don't worry about my family's feelings, we're OK with it.
2006-11-21 08:17:40 · answer #5 · answered by Fartblossom 4 · 4⤊ 3⤋
in line with threat with the aid of fact theist is stated in yet differently to atheist. The atheist makes the ei sound like "e" extremely of "a" yet i'm no longer completely beneficial that it is the clarification. in line with threat that's genuine, as creatrix shows, that atheists are for some reason greater effective spellers. If it have been it would truthfully consequence in atheist being spelt incorrectly greater in many circumstances as atheists use the be conscious theist maximum in many circumstances mutually as all of us makes use of the be conscious atheist.
2016-10-04 05:25:04 · answer #6 · answered by oberlander 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh there are plenty of alternate words to be used, would you like sh*t better? I use the words because my friends do, I don't know about retarded you may have a point there. Gay people will always be sick and insulting to me, sorry I've long ago gave up trying to please everyone. Being gay is a stupid choice, I don't buy that you can be born that way for a second, it's boarderline suicidal. The lifetime expectancy is much lower among gays. Plus that so called "lifestyle" goes against everything I believe in. Sorry if that's offensive but it's the way I feel about it.
2006-11-21 08:11:30 · answer #7 · answered by Ryan K 2 · 3⤊ 4⤋
You are absolutely right! I think it's a bad habit and people don't even realize what they are saying a lot of the time. People need to think about their words before they say them! I admit it; I sometimes say stupid things, too. I think we all do. The worst, though, are the people who just don't care or those who think they're cool by saying it! It is NOT cool. You sound like a FOOL.
2006-11-21 08:06:40 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
You know.. gay used to mean happy. I'd like to know when it came to be known as homosexual...
Maybe you should ask them to explain how an assignment can be homosexual, or happy. An assignment may not challenge you mentally, but that doesn't make the assignment itself retarded... :)
2006-11-21 08:10:35 · answer #9 · answered by Rainy Days and Mondays 3 · 4⤊ 1⤋
you are absolutely right even tho i do use those words.....i need to make more of an effort to use different words/expressions.....
i noticed in some-one else's answer they said that retarded means "slightly dumb"....this is incorrect...retarded means slow and may or may not refer to IQ
2006-11-22 04:31:39 · answer #10 · answered by SNAP! 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋