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Why we shouldn't use the R-word

deletedover 8 years

"Do not call something you don't like "Redacted". By calling something "Redacted", you are essentially saying an undesirable object or event is the same as someone with intellectual, developmental, or physical disabilities. This invalidates feelings and the identities of people with disabilities and puts them in a position where they are used to describe something that is considered to be flawed, useless, or stupid. It also makes YOU look flawed, useless and stupid by using such an uncool term. There are a ton of great words you can use instead to describe things, people, and situations that anger or annoy you.

For example: If something is a bad idea, you can use words such as dense, useless, obtuse, pathetic, or vapid. Don't forget terms like jackass or bonehead. Or make up snappy new insults. Swearing may be okay, but might make you look less impressive.

If someone or something angers you, use words like contemptible, enraging, evil, infuriating, horrible, irrational, rage-inducing. If someone or something is disgusting, try using nasty, gross, foul, nauseating, skeevy, repellent, repulsive, vomitous or terrible instead."

"The historical context of the word is important to know. People with disabilities have been treated poorly, discriminated against, abused, and neglected in the past and even today. Just changing the way you speak and avoiding using the term can make a difference for people with disabilities today and in the future."

"…support the elimination of the derogatory use of the r-word from everyday speech and promote the acceptance and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities."

Short video: https://youtu.be/T549VoLca_Q

225 other word substitutes: http://specialchildren.about.com/od/disabilityrights/ss/225-Subsitutes-For-The-R-Word.htm#step2

Reading material: http://www.r-word.org/r-word-effects-of-the-word.aspx

Please keep on-topic or your posts will be deleted.

Is the R-Word acceptable to use? (Please do not vote unless you have read the OP/reading material)
66
No
40
Yes
deletedover 8 years

Ryuko says


rutab says

Again, I am just playing the Devil's Advocate here


a republican's favourite phrase


I took this as half-joke and half-seriousness so I am choosing to respond like this:

I don't think anyone has actively seen me use slurs so I'd like to think that I am playing Devil's Advocate for real, unless you can provide me with evidence that I do, in fact, use these words.
over 8 years
I have yet to hear any explanation as to why the r-word is different from similar words like lame and crazy. Why are these words not being policed as hard as the r-word?
over 8 years

rutab says

Again, I am just playing the Devil's Advocate here


a republican's favourite phrase
over 8 years

hardeffingworker says


Ryuko says

definitely all walks of life

rutab says

At least Arcbell isn't ashamed of his beliefs even if they're unpopular


he should be


no one should ever be, that's the worst part of the way you people push ideals



hardeffingworker says

you try to shame people into changing their beliefs and that's sorta disgusting


nah youre a jerk if you understand the OP yet choose to ignore it
deletedover 8 years
Again, I am just playing the Devil's Advocate here
deletedover 8 years
I've said it 100 times already probably, but I am going to say it again. No one is ever going to drop their beliefs and change them because someone on a mafia website told them they need to. This is the last place I'd ever seek guidance and soul-searching advice lol
over 8 years
I still do not understand if people who are really R* irl and have a real disabillity, can use the R word?
over 8 years

rutab says


projectmatt says

i mean you could argue for years about whether or not it's appropriate to use (in most contexts, i don't think it is) but i just don't really understand the amount of anger that comes from people asking others not to use the word. is the word seriously so essential to your vocabulary?


You do have a point, but this argument also kinda works the other way around as well. Is it really all that hard to just ignore it if someone uses the word?


i would argue that the other side has a better case simply because the side that wants to say the word is actively doing something that many consider offensive, but that's just me.
deletedover 8 years

projectmatt says

i mean you could argue for years about whether or not it's appropriate to use (in most contexts, i don't think it is) but i just don't really understand the amount of anger that comes from people asking others not to use the word. is the word seriously so essential to your vocabulary?


You do have a point, but this argument also kinda works the other way around as well. Is it really all that hard to just ignore it if someone uses the word?
over 8 years
I wish my topics stayed on topic and people actually deleted the comments that did not belong to the conversation.
deletedover 8 years
you try to shame people into changing their beliefs and that's sorta disgusting
over 8 years
i mean you could argue for years about whether or not it's appropriate to use (in most contexts, i don't think it is) but i just don't really understand the amount of anger that comes from people asking others not to use the word. is the word seriously so essential to your vocabulary?
deletedover 8 years

Ryuko says

definitely all walks of life

rutab says

At least Arcbell isn't ashamed of his beliefs even if they're unpopular


he should be


no one should ever be, that's the worst part of the way you people push ideals
over 8 years
"The historical context of the word is important to know."


over 8 years
i think it's great to have your own personal stance against it but shouldn't police that on other people through epic mafia moderation
over 8 years

The says

The worst part about this thread is OP's vagueness about whether the discussion is in regards to all walks of life or just an EM context.


The R word being a big deal on the site is an infinite source of giggles for me.
deletedover 8 years

projectmatt says

also to contribute to the conversation but not really, i find it really weird how adamant and angry people get at the concept of being asked not to use the -r- word. it's like asking somebody not to use a word that they find offensive is the biggest violation of free speech that could be thought of. the fight is kind of silly.


People forget that Freedom of Speech not only covers their right to be hateful, but also the right to disagree and voice why.
over 8 years

Vancyon says


projectmatt says

i am actually lovely nat how are you!!

i have so much work to do that i decided to not do it, and am instead on epicmafia


matthew<3


VANCY <3 MARRY ME
over 8 years
If it's in all walks of life then there is no valid stance, as the societal perception of the word will vary from culture to culture.
over 8 years
also to contribute to the conversation but not really, i find it really weird how adamant and angry people get at the concept of being asked not to use the -r- word. it's like asking somebody not to use a word that they find offensive is the biggest violation of free speech that could be thought of. the fight is kind of silly.
deletedover 8 years

Arcbell says


mist says

possibly sorta reasonable stances to take for why it should be okay to say [redacted]:
-i think the meaning of the word has changed to the point where it should be acceptable to use
-i don't think words should ever be policed
-i think people need to toughen up and not be offended by words

the Arcbell Stance™:
-[redacted]s are dumb so im gonna keep using it to mean dumb.


¯\_(ツ)_/¯


(ノಠ ∩ಠ)ノ彡_/¯( o°o)¯\_

projectmatt says

i am actually lovely nat how are you!!

i have so much work to do that i decided to not do it, and am instead on epicmafia


pretty great. ducky, even. just dreading another work week starting tomorrow but o well.
deletedover 8 years
Even if you think he should be, I give him props for being blunt and honest. I don't agree either but at least he sticks up for what he believes in.
deletedover 8 years

projectmatt says

i am actually lovely nat how are you!!

i have so much work to do that i decided to not do it, and am instead on epicmafia


matthew<3
deletedover 8 years
you guys can call me h*dact from now on, that's my hateful comment shitposting name
over 8 years
definitely all walks of life

rutab says

At least Arcbell isn't ashamed of his beliefs even if they're unpopular


he should be