Back to General Discussion

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
over 8 years

Retti says

then that's that. you didn't try to see his side and maybe from your perspective he didn't try to see yours. if that's what you chose then you have to live with that, though sorry if its making you a bit down


deletedover 8 years
then that's that. you didn't try to see his side and maybe from your perspective he didn't try to see yours. if that's what you chose then you have to live with that, though sorry if its making you a bit down
over 8 years

Ryuko says


projectmatt says

Connor, I seriously agree with you about the issue, and I also think ableism is terrible, but I (personally) think that your method of talking about it is too strong. You don't win hearts by just labeling people as terrible or calling them names, but it can help a lot to sit down and talk about things or to politely explain why they shouldn't use the word when you get the chance.


i dont come on EM to convince people to do the right thing, i come on EM to have fun and also get to do the right thing myself. then i got told i wasn't allowed to any more. so i got the hell out


i don't think i understand enough about the context of your response because i havent been involved for a bit, so ill let it go
deletedover 8 years

Ryuko says

no. he doesn't deserve my time


this is your problem. this is why you can never bring good out in people.
deletedover 8 years

Togepi says


projectmatt says

Connor, I seriously agree with you about the issue, and I also think ableism is terrible, but I (personally) think that your method of talking about it is too strong. You don't win hearts by just labeling people as terrible or calling them names, but it can help a lot to sit down and talk about things or to politely explain why they shouldn't use the word when you get the chance.


He probably thinks people are terrible by the way they react when confronted with reasoning, and in this case, I think that thinking they are terrible is warranted.


This is not warranted, in my opinion, because the "reasoning" is very subjective and touchy in this case.
deletedover 8 years

cub says

who the **** is pjm


we really need like, a pamphlet
over 8 years
who the **** is pjm
over 8 years
no. he doesn't deserve my time
deletedover 8 years
i wouldn't consider harry an unreasonable person, did you talk to him?
over 8 years

lad says

PJM's posting quality has gone downhill


i havent posted much in like 6 months and this is what i get =(
deletedover 8 years

Ryuko says

i dont come on EM to convince people to do the right thing


Fooled me.
over 8 years

projectmatt says

Connor, I seriously agree with you about the issue, and I also think ableism is terrible, but I (personally) think that your method of talking about it is too strong. You don't win hearts by just labeling people as terrible or calling them names, but it can help a lot to sit down and talk about things or to politely explain why they shouldn't use the word when you get the chance.


He probably thinks people are terrible by the way they react when confronted with reasoning, and in this case, I think that thinking they are terrible is warranted.
deletedover 8 years
PJM's posting quality has gone downhill
over 8 years
words are bad. i hate words
over 8 years

projectmatt says

Connor, I seriously agree with you about the issue, and I also think ableism is terrible, but I (personally) think that your method of talking about it is too strong. You don't win hearts by just labeling people as terrible or calling them names, but it can help a lot to sit down and talk about things or to politely explain why they shouldn't use the word when you get the chance.


i dont come on EM to convince people to do the right thing, i come on EM to have fun and also get to do the right thing myself. then i got told i wasn't allowed to any more. so i got the hell out
deletedover 8 years

projectmatt says

Connor, I seriously agree with you about the issue, and I also think ableism is terrible, but I (personally) think that your method of talking about it is too strong. You don't win hearts by just labeling people as terrible or calling them names, but it can help a lot to sit down and talk about things or to politely explain why they shouldn't use the word when you get the chance.


I don't think he does this.
deletedover 8 years

cub says

who the **** is connor


Ryuko
over 8 years
who the **** is connor
over 8 years

projectmatt says

Connor, I seriously agree with you about the issue, and I also think ableism is terrible, but I (personally) think that your method of talking about it is too strong. You don't win hearts by just labeling people as terrible or calling them names, but it can help a lot to sit down and talk about things or to politely explain why they shouldn't use the word when you get the chance.


This is what Bae tried to achieve in the OP, though.
over 8 years

AdrenalineMime says

i'm disappointed. there was no good argument for either side. YET AGAIN. i must wander the internet for truth once more


might I suggest this: http://www.christianforums.com
deletedover 8 years
thank you for that foxie, i have considered it and now i am going to move on with my life, having considered what you have asked me to consider.
deletedover 8 years

cub says

consider that we as a species came up with language, decided what words mean, then got upset about that thing we created


Like the creation and death of different memes
over 8 years
like if any of yall were there when he waltzed into the mod chat, it was like reading a really awful spy come in and "suggest" things that clearly had ulterior motive (and were definitely happening, resisting was only delaying the inevitable) and start implementing things that "seem decent" under the guise of quality control when it was all very very obviously and unashamedly a power grab.
over 8 years
Connor, I seriously agree with you about the issue, and I also think ableism is terrible, but I (personally) think that your method of talking about it is too strong. You don't win hearts by just labeling people as terrible or calling them names, but it can help a lot to sit down and talk about things or to politely explain why they shouldn't use the word when you get the chance.
over 8 years
consider that we as a species came up with language, decided what words mean, then got upset about that thing we created