Retard. Stop for a moment and think about that word. That small six letter word. It’s nothing out of the ordinary. A mere combination of letters to form sounds that we then process into speech. Perhaps you’ve called someone a retard before. If you have, then you’re like quite a lot of people. But have you ever began to wonder what this word actually means? And not just the technical definition of “retard”, but how it’s used and why? Let’s take a minute to analyze this word and find out what it truly means.
It doesn’t take a lot to figure it out. Dictionary.com - one of the world’s largest online dictionaries - defines it as this; “people who are slow or limited in mental development.” So, there you have it. Retard is used to describe a person who is mentally slow. So, why does it come up so much in today’s society? Especially with younger generations? The answer lies in the context we use it in. For example; in today’s young society in particular, the word “retard” is usually thrown out into the air without a second thought. When asked about this, kids will most likely say that since everyone nowadays jokes around with that word, it isn’t as offensive. That’s where the problem presents itself.
We’re using a word that defines a very serious issue for the mere fun of it. And while that doesn’t sound very serious, ask yourself why you’d use this word in the first place. Do I need to tell you the answer? You'd use it to demean someone or something. What, you don’t agree? Well, have you ever heard someone such as your parents say; “You’re such a retard!” when you bring home a 90% on that last math test? Of course not! That’s because today’s younger generations are finding a way to put a negative spin on various words, which includes - you guessed it - “retard”.
To sum all that up, you’re taking the word “retard” - which means mentally slow - and using it to demean your peers and others around you. No matter how you look at it, there’s no positive spin you can put on this. Doesn’t it bother you that you’re using mental slowness as an insult - practically spitting on everyone on this good Earth that’s mentally delayed - and feeling nothing? I know for me it does, and it should for you.
And to all the people out there who are mentally delayed, I can only ask for your sincere forgiveness that this world is using the problem that you can’t control - and wouldn’t choose to have if you could - as an insult.
And if you are among the people who payed attention to this message, I thank you, but it doesn’t end there. It’s great that you know about this problem now, but you must do your part to make things better. So please, don’t call someone a retard, and if you hear someone else doing it, please ask them not to do it again. Help end the “R-Word.”
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