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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
hey guys i just ate a WHOLE PIZZA
deletedover 8 years
deletedover 8 years
Also noteworthy:

All, or most of us, would never ever in our right minds call an actual mentally disabled person r-word.

We are not jerks like some of you are playing us off to be.

I mean, I don't speak for Ian or Arcbell because I feel like they might, so that's why I said most lol
over 8 years
where i'm from the r word is synonymous to the word dumb
over 8 years
"basically, these guys aren't worth it" is the only argument i've seen worth listening to itt
over 8 years

Ryuko says


Togepi says

But who cares because really you're just using the site as a medium to spew whatever self-righteousness despite what side you are arguing to buff your ego... o.o


this stuff legit p1sses me off everywhere i go. my mum works with people with mental disabilities and almost all of her department got made redundantvbecause of all the cuts the tories put in place and there's not enough staff to handle all the patients they have to deal with. basically all those people who can't look after themselves have no one to look after them and my mum couldn't do it any more because it was far too much work and stress so even she got driven out of the job


Completely understandable because that is a rage-inducing situation. You just have to understand that you can't force people to your way of thinking, and you know that I agree that using the word is nothing but a way of showing a person's true ignorance. This site is not worth the energy you are putting into it, friend.
over 8 years

Retti says


projectmatt says


Retti says

strange enough i actually dislike those who are completely insensitive and rip on those who choose not to use the r word, because that's what im not about even if i am one who chooses to use it

am i still a bad person?


it's ok because you've found a way to feel superior to both sides


i dont think it's about being superior, it's all about your character

i think being a complete on both ends isn't something i like, and that's not just exclusive to this case

it could be any topic


I actually agree with what ur saying but I felt like being snide
deletedover 8 years

projectmatt says


Retti says

strange enough i actually dislike those who are completely insensitive and rip on those who choose not to use the r word, because that's what im not about even if i am one who chooses to use it

am i still a bad person?


it's ok because you've found a way to feel superior to both sides


i dont think it's about being superior, it's all about your character

i think being a complete on both ends isn't something i like, and that's not just exclusive to this case

it could be any topic
deletedover 8 years

rutab says


roadman says


Ryuko says


Retti says

nobody is trying invalidate the existence of actual r words


thats what you do, when you say it, regardless of your intent. that's the point, you god damn idiot


Why do you think you're any better for calling him an idiot?


I've also said this 100 times:

Being insulting or offensive while using slurs is no better than being insulting or offensive without slurs.

In the end, you're still being that way. Your words are just aimed a different way.


To more clearly explain this, you're basically choosing to be offensive to one group of people more than the other.

"Hey people who aren't mentally disabled, you're stupid and horrible!"

"Oh, don't be offensive to those people! That's mean!"

It's very hypocritical, in my opinion, to advocate for being less offensive and then be offensive to other people instead.
over 8 years
reminder that calling someone an r-word (like in a game) is just another way of calling them stupid
over 8 years

over 8 years

Retti says

strange enough i actually dislike those who are completely insensitive and rip on those who choose not to use the r word, because that's what im not about even if i am one who chooses to use it

am i still a bad person?


it's ok because you've found a way to feel superior to both sides
over 8 years

Togepi says

But who cares because really you're just using the site as a medium to spew whatever self-righteousness despite what side you are arguing to buff your ego... o.o


this stuff legit p1sses me off everywhere i go. my mum works with people with mental disabilities and almost all of her department got made redundantvbecause of all the cuts the tories put in place and there's not enough staff to handle all the patients they have to deal with. basically all those people who can't look after themselves have no one to look after them and my mum couldn't do it any more because it was far too much work and stress so even she got driven out of the job
over 8 years
i personally think ur all a bunch of manatees. not the cute ones either...the ugly 1s
deletedover 8 years
being on either extreme side of the spectrum is pretty effing stupid
deletedover 8 years
strange enough i actually dislike those who are completely insensitive and rip on those who choose not to use the r word, because that's what im not about even if i am one who chooses to use it

am i still a bad person?
over 8 years
It's quite surreal when you realise that the people who are arguing against Connor are the ones being collected, rational and reasonable, yet Connor is being offensive.

I don't get it.
deletedover 8 years

projectmatt says


rutab says

I think the r-word is basically going through the exact same thing the n-word did. Right now the n-word (a very slight variation, but still the same thing) is now (more) acceptable to use than it was in the past.

The r-word is still the same way.

Although people find it getting better now than it has before, I believe the opposite.

It's just being normalized.


I actually don't agree at all. At my college at least, if you use any variation of that word you generally get scolded at/scorned, but it depends who your group of friends is I guess


That's different from where I am then. Here, it's not a big deal.
over 8 years

projectmatt says

Arc I think that's a really immature way to view the subject tbh


I think addressing people's use of the r-word on this site is really immature.
over 8 years

Ryuko says

"having this word in my vocabulary is more important to me than the ppl i could be hurting directly or indirectly by using it" -all yall


most of the time when people use the word they aren't consciously choosing how the word could potentially affect others in a calm forum setting, it's because they're in a stressful mafia game getting mad and raging at someone for doing something wrong or just being mad for losing and use the first demeaning words that come to mind to get their anger across. so you shouldn't assume everyone who uses it is actually caring about the larger societal damage it may or may not cause.
over 8 years
I'm usually right. If only people cared about themselves half as much as they care about what other people say on the Internet...
deletedover 8 years

ryuko says


roadman says


Ryuko says


Retti says

nobody is trying invalidate the existence of actual r words


thats what you do, when you say it, regardless of your intent. that's the point, you god damn idiot


Why do you think you're any better for calling him an idiot?


if you're trying to argue that calling someone an idiot and r-word are the same thing then.... lol


lol for real though
deletedover 8 years
the people i dislike are those who treat those who use it like they're below them, like i said before. the people who wear their ideals like a badge of pride like they're somehow automatically a better person

the reverse can be said for the opposing side too btw
deletedover 8 years
connor are you tolerant of republicans
over 8 years

rutab says

I think the r-word is basically going through the exact same thing the n-word did. Right now the n-word (a very slight variation, but still the same thing) is now (more) acceptable to use than it was in the past.

The r-word is still the same way.

Although people find it getting better now than it has before, I believe the opposite.

It's just being normalized.


I actually don't agree at all. At my college at least, if you use any variation of that word you generally get scolded at/scorned, but it depends who your group of friends is I guess