Our choice of language frames how we think about others.
It is time to respect and value people with intellectual disabilities.
It is time to accept and welcome us as your friends and neighbors.
Young people around the country are taking a stand and raising awareness of the dehumanizing and hurtful effects of the words “retard” or “retarded” and are helping encourage Americans to think before they speak.
• On March 31, visit www.r-word.org and make your pledge to not use the R-word. Our goal is to get 100,000 pledges.
• We ask that you help us “Change the conversation” to help eliminate the demeaning use of the R-word from today’s popular youth vernacular and replace it with “respect.” We are asking for your help in creating a more accepting world for people with intellectual disabilities and all those people that may appear different, but have unique gifts and talents to share with the world.
• We’re asking every person - young and old - to help eliminate the demeaning use of the R-word(retard) –a common taunt used to make fun of others. Often unwittingly, the word is used to denote behavior that is clumsy, hapless, and even hopeless.
WHETHER INTENTIONAL OR NOT, THE WORD CONJURES UP A PAINFUL STEREOTYPE OF PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES. IT HURTS. EVEN IF YOU DON'T MEAN IT THAT WAY.
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