It is wonderful to live in a country that believes in the freedom of speech. People are allowed to say what they want because after all, it is their opinion. However, sometimes the things that come out of an individual's mouth are intended to not simply make a point, but sometimes to hurt. Many times, people don't stop and think about how what they say can affect other people. Many have decided to take the r word pledge. They pledge to keep the word retarded out of their vocabulary.
It is true, that there are those that have some form of a disability, and the term mental retardation may be used to describe them. It becomes a serious issue, when it is being used as an adjective in a derogatory way to describe a situation, person, or action. It hurts when it shouldn't. Just because an individual has a disability does not mean that they are a bad person. They should not be treated as taboo, nor their condition. The reason why this pledge is special is because it encourages people to stop using the word "retarded" because it hurts.
For a while, there had not been anyone who actually took an effort nationally to put an end to derogatory remarks and prejudice shown against those with these challenges. One site in particular, the r word campaign, was the site that first brought national attention to how people used certain terms inappropriately.
People can check themselves and think about the last time they heard the word retard being used in a defamatory way. Maybe it was at school, work, or at a public facility. People hardly ever directly use those terms with a person who has a disability. Maybe doing harm is not always intentional, but the wrong term being used the wrong way does hurt individuals and families.
Vocabulary is something that is built and grows overtime. Therefore, it will take some time to omit terminology that is used so often. Individuals with disabilities know that, but just want people to be aware of the terminology that they use. There are some common phrases that can be used instead of the r word such as ridiculous, silly, or even outlandish.
The real reason why this campaign started was in order to bring awareness to a problem that has been overlooked for decades. Hateful terminology is causing hurt, and it is time to take a stand and speak against it for some. When enough people take a stand, opinions no longer are opinions. It is now all about respect.
Advocates who strongly believe in change can help to curve the way that people speak and the way that they think. Harm being shown to people that have disabilities is not something that has to remain. People need to watch their words and show compassion.
Rosa's Law, which was established by the Obama administration in 2010, took the terms "intellectual disability" as a replacement to "mental retardation." Legislation has decided that there is no room for the use of derogatory words in federal legislation. Therefore, the change to make it disappear altogether falls on the individual.
It is true, that there are those that have some form of a disability, and the term mental retardation may be used to describe them. It becomes a serious issue, when it is being used as an adjective in a derogatory way to describe a situation, person, or action. It hurts when it shouldn't. Just because an individual has a disability does not mean that they are a bad person. They should not be treated as taboo, nor their condition. The reason why this pledge is special is because it encourages people to stop using the word "retarded" because it hurts.
For a while, there had not been anyone who actually took an effort nationally to put an end to derogatory remarks and prejudice shown against those with these challenges. One site in particular, the r word campaign, was the site that first brought national attention to how people used certain terms inappropriately.
People can check themselves and think about the last time they heard the word retard being used in a defamatory way. Maybe it was at school, work, or at a public facility. People hardly ever directly use those terms with a person who has a disability. Maybe doing harm is not always intentional, but the wrong term being used the wrong way does hurt individuals and families.
Vocabulary is something that is built and grows overtime. Therefore, it will take some time to omit terminology that is used so often. Individuals with disabilities know that, but just want people to be aware of the terminology that they use. There are some common phrases that can be used instead of the r word such as ridiculous, silly, or even outlandish.
The real reason why this campaign started was in order to bring awareness to a problem that has been overlooked for decades. Hateful terminology is causing hurt, and it is time to take a stand and speak against it for some. When enough people take a stand, opinions no longer are opinions. It is now all about respect.
Advocates who strongly believe in change can help to curve the way that people speak and the way that they think. Harm being shown to people that have disabilities is not something that has to remain. People need to watch their words and show compassion.
Rosa's Law, which was established by the Obama administration in 2010, took the terms "intellectual disability" as a replacement to "mental retardation." Legislation has decided that there is no room for the use of derogatory words in federal legislation. Therefore, the change to make it disappear altogether falls on the individual.
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If you are looking for the facts about the R word pledge, go to our web pages online here today. More details are available at http://familymemberinc.org now.
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