Anonymous wrote:There are valid uses of the word retard--for example, its use as a verb. The primary problem is people who use it as an insult.

They have street signs saying Slow Children Playing- so what is the difference or am I missing something?

Anonymous wrote:Obviously it is inappropriate to use it in a derogatory or pejorative fashion. The word "retad" is ugly and hateful. However, I don't see anything wrong with using the term "mental retardation" as a medical term for a condition that a person suffers from, in an accurate, appropriate medical way, in a context where discussion of the condition is appropriate or necessary.

I'm guessing you meant "retard". But yeah, bad words are ugly. That is why we use them, right? You shouldn't use ANY curse words or offensive words in the office or around kids or in polite company, but people use them all the time. Stop telling me which particular bad words are over your particular offense line.

Anonymous wrote:My mom uses the term "touched".

Makes me lol everytime.

Now people are confused

My mom uses the term "touched".

Makes me lol everytime.

Anonymous wrote:

but the term "intellectual disabilities" is equally accurate and appropriate, and many self advocates with disabilities prefer it. I don't see a downside to using the more current term.

The only downside that I can see is in a situation where a more specific explanation of the person's condition is necessary. My son has intellectual disabilities that make performing certain types of academic tasks very difficult for him. However, he does not suffer from mental retardation and has a slightly above-average IQ overall. If such a distinction were important in context, I do think it would be preferable to use the more specific term. Otherwise, I don't think it matters.

Have you actually been told by a medical professional that your child has an "intellectual disability"? Because the pretty standard definition of ID includes having an IQ under 70, or sometimes 75 combined with deficits in adaptive skills.

Rosa's Law, which Obama signed in 2010 replaces the term "mental retardation" with the term "intellectual disabilities" in several places in federal law and specifically says that previous definitions of "mentally retardation" will apply to "intellectual disabilities".

OP, give me a break.

If I go to a dog show and hear the word "Bitch," I don't think the dog handler is calling me a name. He is obviously using the name in its technical sense. Which is exactly how it is being using in this film.

Please stop being deliberately obtuse.

This is by far the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen on DCUM.

The word "retard" when used as a verb is perfectly fine. This is pronounced with the emphasis on the second syllable and means "slow down." It is often used in technical or medical situations.

The word retard used as a noun and pronounced "REE - tard" is a slur that should never be used.

THe word when used in French has no bearing to this issue -- it's a common word and doesn't have anything to do with intellectual disabilities.

but the term "intellectual disabilities" is equally accurate and appropriate, and many self advocates with disabilities prefer it. I don't see a downside to using the more current term.

The only downside that I can see is in a situation where a more specific explanation of the person's condition is necessary. My son has intellectual disabilities that make performing certain types of academic tasks very difficult for him. However, he does not suffer from mental retardation and has a slightly above-average IQ overall. If such a distinction were important in context, I do think it would be preferable to use the more specific term. Otherwise, I don't think it matters.

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone think it's ironic that if the pilot made an error that resulted in the crashing of the plane the last words heard would be "retard, retard"

No, not really.

Does anyone think it's ironic that if the pilot made an error that resulted in the crashing of the plane the last words heard would be "retard, retard"

Does anyone think it's ironic that if the pilot made an error that resulted in the crashing of the plan the last words heard would hear would be "retard, retard"

Anonymous wrote:Obviously it is inappropriate to use it in a derogatory or pejorative fashion. The word "retad" is ugly and hateful. However, I don't see anything wrong with using the term "mental retardation" as a medical term for a condition that a person suffers from, in an accurate, appropriate medical way, in a context where discussion of the condition is appropriate or necessary.

I don't think that it's an awful thing to use the term that way, but the term "intellectual disabilities" is equally accurate and appropriate, and many self advocates with disabilities prefer it. I don't see a downside to using the more current term.

Obviously it is inappropriate to use it in a derogatory or pejorative fashion. The word "retad" is ugly and hateful. However, I don't see anything wrong with using the term "mental retardation" as a medical term for a condition that a person suffers from, in an accurate, appropriate medical way, in a context where discussion of the condition is appropriate or necessary.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think its overreacting to a word. sticks n stones and all that ...

+100000

If you let a word define you, it's gonna offend you.

Let's keep in mind that we're talking about a population with a limited ability to defend itself, by definition. Wouldn't you agree that we have a special obligation to protect those who are most vulnerable?

Anonymous wrote:I think its overreacting to a word. sticks n stones and all that ...

+100000

If you let a word define you, it's gonna offend you.