I hope the first word in the title of this post caught your attention. Even more so, I hope that word made you cringe. It SHOULD.
The old saying goes, "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words
will never hurt me." But the truth is words can hurt very much.
Today is a day to
Spread the Word to End the Word.
More specifically, the "r" word.
I come from a generation that casually tossed the word "retarded"
around.
I'm ashamed to admit that I said
it as a child and didn't even think about what it truly meant.
Now I'm the parent of a child who has
Down syndrome and I cringe when others toss that word around so casually. It's
a habit that's hard to break, but it still happens. When it happens, an awkward
silence always follows. I like that
awkward silence. If someone feels
awkward, it means that they know they did something wrong, and perhaps will
reconsider saying it again!
I know that one day we will face that inevitable moment when someone
actually calls Liam the dreaded
r-word.
I've thought over the situation, and I'm not quite sure how I will react.
Will I be angry or defensive, or will I simply
cry from how much it hurts? I don't know the answer to that question, but what
I do know is that I love my son fiercely. He is so much more than an
"r" word. I will love my son for them.
I will love Liam with every ounce of my being
for all of those people who can't or refuse to love those who are
different.
I will love Liam for all
those people who consider him a "retard." And I will feel sorry for
them because they simply don't have the capacity to love unconditionally.
Even though I will one day face that battle, the truth is I shouldn't have to
hear the word said so casually in everyday life. People argue that it's just a
word and that it doesn't mean anything.
They get defensive and say "freedom of speech" and "it's
a medical term." But let me tell you this: most medical professionals
don't even use that word anymore. It's called PROGRESS. And yes, freedom of
speech is very important. But speaking with respect is even more
important.
If you are someone who tosses the "r" word around casually, I get
it. I understand it's ingrained in your brain and that it's a hard habit to
break. I'm not going to immediately scold you. But PLEASE think before you
speak.
Words can have a huge impact on
those around you.
If my words didn't quite convince you, please read this post by my friend,
Kelly. She sums up the use of the "r" word and how it feels to hear the word so well. I met Kelly and her beautiful family after Liam was born. When she
posted this on Facebook during Down Syndrome Awareness Month, I knew I wanted
to use her words in a post. If you choose to read anything at all, read #6 and
then decide how you feel.
Meet Kelly's unbelievably adorable son, Donovan.
Here's what Kelly has to say about the "r" word:
The word retard (retarded or any version of) has a HUGE impact on a person
when they know and love someone with an intellectual disability. So, please,
whether you use the r-word or not, please just read:
I have been "unfriended" and blocked and argued with over this
thing I feel passionate about. I will always
#choosekindness when I
defend my son and others with disabilities.
To those who help educate and do not use the word themselves, thank you.
Please keep fighting the good fight.
To those who used to use the word in the past, but now from knowing Donovan
and having it pointed out to you that it's hurtful, thank you for your
compassion, understanding, and awareness.
To those who use it and think it is no big deal, and you "don't mean it
THAT way" PLEASE don't ignore this, just hear me out one more time:
1. Right away some of you become offended by me asking you to stop using the
r-word and you begin to defend your actions. I get that your pride sends you
right into "fight & defend mode" if someone disagrees with you.
But, someone you know (me) has told you how it affects them and their family,
so just out of respect for that person (me), couldn't you just be empathetic
and simply stop using it ....at the very least stop using it around that person
(me)? Or even stop using it altogether? Could you stop for a minute and
actually listen to the other side of the argument?
2. Many have told me "You're too sensitive to it." YES, yes I am.
Aren't most parents sensitive when it comes to protecting their
kids...especially from being mocked and made fun of?
3. I've been told several times "I don't mean YOUR SON." Okay,
good. How, just exactly, DID you mean it? Please, answer! I'm sure you didn't
mean "stop being a retard" to mean to "stop being an adorable 3
1/2 year old boy who will melt you with his smile"...we all know that's
not true. Everyone knows what you "meant"...you MEANT to "stop
acting like a person who is different, slow, not as perfect as you must
be"...maybe you didn't say, "stop being Donovan" but the
"retard" you speak of is SOMEONE with an intellectual disability and
you ARE making fun of the disability.
4. You argue: "It's a medical term." Ohhh...I see. So "the
game last night was retarded" means "the game last night was a
sub-average intellectual ability equivalent to or less than an IQ of 70 that is
accompanied by significant deficits in abilities (as in communication or
self-care) necessary for independent daily living, is present from birth or
infancy, and is manifested especially by delayed or abnormal development, by
learning difficulties, and by problems in social adjustment." I totally
see how that medical term applies here (insert sarcastic tone).
5. In 2010, President Barack Obama signed legislation requiring the federal
government to replace the term “mental retardation” with “intellectual disability”
in many areas of government. The measure known as Rosa’s Law was approved
unanimously by Congress before receiving the go-ahead from the president. Your
use of the word, in slang, from the playground in your childhood is outdated
and politically incorrect. You use it out of habit, freely without giving
thought to it and "meaning it THAT way". I am telling you, it was
hurtful then AND it is hurtful now. You sound very uneducated and far from
intelligent when you use it. And, you sound like a mean and inconsiderate
person. I don't think that is what you "mean" to have happen.
6. If you can honestly, truly argue any one of your reasons & justify
your use of the r-word, I have a CHALLENGE for you: Hold my son in your arms
and say those exact words that you feel so strongly about. Hold him and say,
"That outfit is retarded" or simply stand with ANY person who has an
intellectual disability and their loved ones and say, "Stop being a
retard." IF you can do that and not feel a small, even tiny, twinge of guilt
or embarrassment and you can do it with ease then I guess I am wrong.
7. Over the years, the carefree use of this word in everyday language has
become so common. It has been overlooked as offensive. But, as a society, we've
made good progress. R-word users are becoming the minority. Using the word is
wrong. More and more people are finally speaking up and educating and letting
others know that it IS hurtful and politically incorrect. Change is as easy as
simply choosing another word. There are so many to choose from: absurd, uncool,
childish, irrational, idiot, jerk, ridiculous, dull, trivial, irresponsible,
pointless.....the list goes on. Just-simply-choose-a-different-word.
8. I am happy to say that MOST of the people in my life who used the r-word
before have genuinely apologized and have stopped using it. Apologies are not
necessary! The heart-felt sincerity and understanding is plenty!! The world is
better for that! Maybe if you do decide to stop using the word too, maybe you
can join in being an advocate and in educating others too. Truth is, we don't
always get the result we hoped for. But you can hold your head high knowing
that you made an effort to stop the use of a senseless, hurtful word.....and
you #choosekindness.
Thank you for taking a few minutes to read today's post. Thank you even more
for thinking a little about what I've said.
Thank you, Kelly, for being willing to share your heartfelt post on my blog. Your words
are so powerful and I'm
certain they made others stop and think!
Please, on this day, make a pledge to stop using the "r" word.
Donovan and Liam and all of those who are rocking an extra chromosome thank
you!
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