'Taking on the R-Word'

SpiralArchitect · 03-22-2009, 03:15 AM

Special Olympics takes on use of 'R-word'

An unexpected and sudden spotlight on the Special Olympics, an organization that for more than 40 years has served and honored those with intellectual disabilities, comes less than two weeks before the nonprofit launches a new campaign: Spread the Word to the End the Word.

Special Olympics is running a campaign to stop the use of the "R-word."

March 31 is being billed a "national day of awareness," a call to Americans to recognize and rethink their use of the word "retard," or as the organization would prefer, the "R-word."

"Most people don't think of this word as hate speech, but that's exactly what it feels like to millions of people with intellectual disabilities, their families and friends," a statement about the campaign reads. "This word is just as cruel and offensive as any other slur."

The push for increased respect is being spearheaded by young people who are collecting pledges or vows to not use the word at R-word.org - Change the conversation..., and are leading online discussions on how people can get involved in this cause.

So far, across the country, 300 schools have already committed to hosting rallies on March 31, Special Olympics President and CEO J. Brady Lum said.

An aggressive print and online campaign, targeting people ages 18 to 30, will follow, said Kirsten Suto Seckler, who directs the organization's global brand marketing and awareness.

The ads designed by BBDO New York, will challenge the public -- with language meant to raise eyebrows -- to think about the issue more deeply. The campaign uses slurs against Asians, homosexuals, Jews and African-Americans to make the point that language can be harmful to all groups, including people with intellectual disabilities.

Attention on the Special Olympics skyrocketed Thursday when, in a quick and clearly unscripted moment, President Obama exhibited the power of words during his history-making visit with Jay Leno.

While joking on The Tonight Show about his bowling prowess (during last year's campaign trail he shamefully scored 37 in a game), Obama said he'd been practicing at the White House.

He told Leno that he bowled 129 in the White House bowling alley and said his bowling skills are "like Special Olympics or something."

The comment during the taping of the show prompted Obama to pick up the phone on Air Force One and call Special Olympics Chairman Timothy Shriver to preemptively apologize for the remark before it hit television screens. He also reportedly invited Special Olympic athletes to Pennsylvania Avenue to hit the lanes and give him tips or shoot some hoops.

The president "expressed his heartfelt and sincere commitment to work with our athletes and make this country a more accepting place for people with special needs," Lum, the organization's president, said.
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What Obama said on The Tonight Show adds to the discussion that's needed to raise awareness and has proven "an incredibly important and seriously teachable moment," Lum said.

From playgrounds to the "top rungs of our leadership, including our president," he said Americans have plenty to talk about and learn when it comes to stereotypes and how words can sting.

R-word.org - Change the conversation...

What do people think about this?

I'll reserve my opinion until later tonight as to not influence others who may not have heard about this.

*Although controversial, it doesn't mean we can keep this civil*

Bowlblaze · 03-22-2009, 03:22 AM

Political correctness is a joke. All this time people are spending on getting people to stop using a WORD could be spent actually HELPING the very people this campaign is supporting.

ADIDAS · 03-23-2009, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bowlblaze

Political correctness is a joke. All this time people are spending on getting people to stop using a WORD could be spent actually HELPING the very people this campaign is supporting.

Thats a GREAT post.

**Dark** · 03-22-2009, 03:29 AM

I believe the use of a word should have no bearing on the intent behind it, as they are two different things.

We shouldn't have to apologize, or feel sorry if we say "retard" in a respectful manner. We keep changing these words like "retard" or "midget" to be more politically correct, as to offend people less. The realization is that the act of creating a big deal over the word is what makes the word "wrong".

Obama having to apologize for something like that? It's laughable. We all know he meant no wrong while saying that, but we have to worry bout what others think and how they will feel, when it's that worry alone that creates the problem...

I'm sick of censoring words. People with wrong intent are a different story, but words are just words, and those are just sounds

. Intent is the thing that should be put on trial.

Sensitivity training and political correctness will never work

Squidgy Black · 03-22-2009, 03:49 AM

–verb (used with object)

1. to make slow; delay the development or progress of (an action, process, etc.); hinder or impede.

–verb (used without object)
2. to be delayed.

–noun
3. a slowing down, diminution, or hindrance, as in a machine.
4. Slang: Disparaging.
a. a mentally retarded person.
b. a person who is stupid, obtuse, or ineffective in some way: a hopeless social retard.

Do they hope to stop people using it altogether?

Trying to make people stop saying a word is not the answer.

For the people that truly believe that those with a mental disability are lesser beings in some way I doubt this will have any impact at all.

tayg13 · 03-22-2009, 06:26 PM

everyone needs to stop with all this, its a word. I understand how its offensive when used directly to describe someone who is mentally challenged, but its usually not. When ever i use it im not comparing the object/event with a mentally handicapped person, im just saying it sucks/isnt cool. I know i mean no ill will by it, why cant anyone see this?

Quote:

Originally Posted by marcusJay

Even jokingly, some words still have a negative connotation.
Please use the word "fuckhead" in a positive manner.

i do understand that though... This is a difficult argument for sure.

Wado420 · 03-22-2009, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dark

I believe the use of a word should have no bearing on the intent behind it, as they are two different things.

We shouldn't have to apologize, or feel sorry if we say "retard" in a respectful manner. We keep changing these words like "retard" or "midget" to be more politically correct, as to offend people less. The realization is that the act of creating a big deal over the word is what makes the word "wrong".

Obama having to apologize for something like that? It's laughable. We all know he meant no wrong while saying that, but we have to worry bout what others think and how they will feel, when it's that worry alone that creates the problem...

I'm sick of censoring words. People with wrong intent are a different story, but words are just words, and those are just sounds

. Intent is the thing that should be put on trial.

Sensitivity training and political correctness will never work

For a person with a disability and a person who has been insulted many times because of it i completly agree with you my friend

smarten-up · 03-22-2009, 03:43 AM

I can understand how someone would take offense to what Obama had said, because he had compared his bowling to the special olympics in a negative way. The whole 'R word' deal is another story. Dark hit the nail on the head IMO, the fact that people are trying to stop the use of the word makes it ten times more offensive then it had been before. To me it seems like a little much, if someone uses the word in an offensive manner thats another story.

To be hoenst, I dont use the word retard all that much, so it wont directly effect me. And if it makes the people who work with or are directly related to the mentally handicapped happier, then have at it for all I care.

Freedom_User · 03-22-2009, 03:46 AM

Censoring words is going to make it 10x more exciting to say.

Remember when you was 9 chilling with friends cussing like a truck driver? It's something that's so exciting just because it's demonized.

I'm absolutely against saying hurtful things to people, but thats called being respectful.

yoman3 · 03-22-2009, 03:50 AM

Fuck political correctness.

03-22-2009, 03:15 AM	#1
SpiralArchitect The Cosmic Chronic Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 6,861 Grams: 53,853.32 Thanks: 5,020 Thanked 3,991 Times in 2,033 Posts Stock Portfolio Total Value: 0.000 Gain/Loss: -1.000%	'Taking on the R-Word' Special Olympics takes on use of 'R-word' An unexpected and sudden spotlight on the Special Olympics, an organization that for more than 40 years has served and honored those with intellectual disabilities, comes less than two weeks before the nonprofit launches a new campaign: Spread the Word to the End the Word. Special Olympics is running a campaign to stop the use of the "R-word." March 31 is being billed a "national day of awareness," a call to Americans to recognize and rethink their use of the word "retard," or as the organization would prefer, the "R-word." "Most people don't think of this word as hate speech, but that's exactly what it feels like to millions of people with intellectual disabilities, their families and friends," a statement about the campaign reads. "This word is just as cruel and offensive as any other slur." The push for increased respect is being spearheaded by young people who are collecting pledges or vows to not use the word at R-word.org - Change the conversation..., and are leading online discussions on how people can get involved in this cause. So far, across the country, 300 schools have already committed to hosting rallies on March 31, Special Olympics President and CEO J. Brady Lum said. An aggressive print and online campaign, targeting people ages 18 to 30, will follow, said Kirsten Suto Seckler, who directs the organization's global brand marketing and awareness. The ads designed by BBDO New York, will challenge the public -- with language meant to raise eyebrows -- to think about the issue more deeply. The campaign uses slurs against Asians, homosexuals, Jews and African-Americans to make the point that language can be harmful to all groups, including people with intellectual disabilities. Attention on the Special Olympics skyrocketed Thursday when, in a quick and clearly unscripted moment, President Obama exhibited the power of words during his history-making visit with Jay Leno. While joking on The Tonight Show about his bowling prowess (during last year's campaign trail he shamefully scored 37 in a game), Obama said he'd been practicing at the White House. He told Leno that he bowled 129 in the White House bowling alley and said his bowling skills are "like Special Olympics or something." The comment during the taping of the show prompted Obama to pick up the phone on Air Force One and call Special Olympics Chairman Timothy Shriver to preemptively apologize for the remark before it hit television screens. He also reportedly invited Special Olympic athletes to Pennsylvania Avenue to hit the lanes and give him tips or shoot some hoops. The president "expressed his heartfelt and sincere commitment to work with our athletes and make this country a more accepting place for people with special needs," Lum, the organization's president, said. advertisement What Obama said on The Tonight Show adds to the discussion that's needed to raise awareness and has proven "an incredibly important and seriously teachable moment," Lum said. From playgrounds to the "top rungs of our leadership, including our president," he said Americans have plenty to talk about and learn when it comes to stereotypes and how words can sting. R-word.org - Change the conversation... What do people think about this? I'll reserve my opinion until later tonight as to not influence others who may not have heard about this. *Although controversial, it doesn't mean we can keep this civil* __________________ . . Posting Guidelines ~ The Art of Searching ~ Drug Testing ~ Drug War Headlines ~ Fuck Combustion ~ The Garden's Cure ~ Marijuana Chat~ ShowMeTheFacts Last edited by SpiralArchitect : 03-22-2009 at 03:29 AM.

Grams Awarded to Bowlblaze for this Post
Date	User	Comment	Amount
03-27-2009	jikaboom123	Totally agree.	2.00
03-23-2009	ADIDAS	Feel honored, this is my first awarding of grams hahahah	60.00

03-22-2009, 03:22 AM	#2
Bowlblaze Grand Theft Canoe Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 2,760 Grams: 7,299.23 Thanks: 197 Thanked 110 Times in 64 Posts Stock Portfolio Total Value: 0.000 Gain/Loss: 0.000%	Political correctness is a joke. All this time people are spending on getting people to stop using a WORD could be spent actually HELPING the very people this campaign is supporting. __________________ The government thinks we're all criminals. The people who are really the criminals are the people who view pot smokers as being no better than rapists, murderers, or corrupt politions New? Read the Posting Guidelines. Bored? Join the Chat . Need an answer? Try a Search.

Grams Awarded to Bowlblaze for this Post
Date	User	Comment	Amount
03-27-2009	jikaboom123	Totally agree.	2.00
03-23-2009	ADIDAS	Feel honored, this is my first awarding of grams hahahah	60.00

03-22-2009, 03:29 AM	#4
Dark Fool on the Hill Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 5,469 Grams: 21,925.52 Thanks: 1,591 Thanked 2,490 Times in 1,315 Posts Stock Portfolio Total Value: 0.000 Gain/Loss: 0.000%	I believe the use of a word should have no bearing on the intent behind it, as they are two different things. We shouldn't have to apologize, or feel sorry if we say "retard" in a respectful manner. We keep changing these words like "retard" or "midget" to be more politically correct, as to offend people less. The realization is that the act of creating a big deal over the word is what makes the word "wrong". Obama having to apologize for something like that? It's laughable. We all know he meant no wrong while saying that, but we have to worry bout what others think and how they will feel, when it's that worry alone that creates the problem... I'm sick of censoring words. People with wrong intent are a different story, but words are just words, and those are just sounds . Intent is the thing that should be put on trial. Sensitivity training and political correctness will never work __________________ Dear Ndugu, *Sometimes you have to lose your mind before you come to your senses*

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