They say meanings are in people. Not in words. A word becomes offensive once people turns it into a hurtful label. Yes, people, especially children are victims of labels. It makes them think that conformity is a golden rule and being different can cost them their childhood. Or that not looking exactly like the rest should make them feel bad about themselves.
Language has an impact on attitudes. This in turn, affects the actions of many, when it should be a tool that is centered on being pro people. As if, their condition was not enough, those with disabilities have been victims of painful name calling from those who are not physically or mentally challenged. This had pushed advocacy groups to come up with the R word pledge.
Not only that. Now, many have resorted to using the word retarded as synonymous to stupid or dumb. People without disabilities think they earned the right to indict painful stereotypes to those without disabilities. Sometimes, not even caring if they are dealing with an innocent child.
Even when it is unintentional, the term is considered derogatory since it will always be associated to children or adults who are intellectually impaired. This is the main reason why the campaign seeks to eliminate it completely, from the vocabularies of society. These individuals are no different from the rest of us.
That those who are disabled mentally should not be treated as any less human than the rest of us. That it is not right for others to make them feel that they have lesser value in humanity. To dispel these negative stereotypes, some groups dedicated themselves to encouraging others into focusing on the talents of individuals.
You can never change the way society see it as. That is why such advocacies exist in the first place. There are ways to avoid it, so that it can be eliminated altogether, as what the campaign aims to achieve. First and foremost, know that people who have disabilities are still people.
This way, it will also eliminate negative attitudes towards anyone who is mentally impaired. That taking it out from vocabularies and treating it as taboo will help society realize the damage it had indicted for generations. For some, the word excludes them from the rest of the group one it is used no matter how playful a banter it may seem to be.
Use alternative terms. Do not forget its real definition by thinking twice before saying it. Be sensitive to the meanings it brings across. Because of its negative connotations, mentally retarded is a term has become an unacceptable diagnostic term. It is important for the majority to understand the need for this, since people who have intellectual disabilities have been discriminated for far too long.
Thinking that they deserve anything otherwise is a blatant disrespect not only to children in particular, but to humanity in general. This does not help anybody. Words matter a lot. Especially the meanings they entail. It is high time all people recognizes that everybody is entitled to being different. That individuality should not be scorned but embraced as something positive, not hateful. Language is supposed to be beautiful. Do not pain people with it.
Language has an impact on attitudes. This in turn, affects the actions of many, when it should be a tool that is centered on being pro people. As if, their condition was not enough, those with disabilities have been victims of painful name calling from those who are not physically or mentally challenged. This had pushed advocacy groups to come up with the R word pledge.
Not only that. Now, many have resorted to using the word retarded as synonymous to stupid or dumb. People without disabilities think they earned the right to indict painful stereotypes to those without disabilities. Sometimes, not even caring if they are dealing with an innocent child.
Even when it is unintentional, the term is considered derogatory since it will always be associated to children or adults who are intellectually impaired. This is the main reason why the campaign seeks to eliminate it completely, from the vocabularies of society. These individuals are no different from the rest of us.
That those who are disabled mentally should not be treated as any less human than the rest of us. That it is not right for others to make them feel that they have lesser value in humanity. To dispel these negative stereotypes, some groups dedicated themselves to encouraging others into focusing on the talents of individuals.
You can never change the way society see it as. That is why such advocacies exist in the first place. There are ways to avoid it, so that it can be eliminated altogether, as what the campaign aims to achieve. First and foremost, know that people who have disabilities are still people.
This way, it will also eliminate negative attitudes towards anyone who is mentally impaired. That taking it out from vocabularies and treating it as taboo will help society realize the damage it had indicted for generations. For some, the word excludes them from the rest of the group one it is used no matter how playful a banter it may seem to be.
Use alternative terms. Do not forget its real definition by thinking twice before saying it. Be sensitive to the meanings it brings across. Because of its negative connotations, mentally retarded is a term has become an unacceptable diagnostic term. It is important for the majority to understand the need for this, since people who have intellectual disabilities have been discriminated for far too long.
Thinking that they deserve anything otherwise is a blatant disrespect not only to children in particular, but to humanity in general. This does not help anybody. Words matter a lot. Especially the meanings they entail. It is high time all people recognizes that everybody is entitled to being different. That individuality should not be scorned but embraced as something positive, not hateful. Language is supposed to be beautiful. Do not pain people with it.
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When you are looking for the facts about the R word pledge, go to the web pages online here today. More details can be seen at http://familymemberinc.org now.
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