To find it disgusting so many people still think it's acceptable to use the 'R' word to describe someone who's done something stupid?

[TangoPurple]

Bit of a rant! I told my friend this afternoon that i think it's terrible so many people still use the word 'retard' in every day conversation, as well as other offensive, disabilist terms.

She shrugged it off saying that people don't mean it offensively, it's just a phrase our parents used and passed on to us. She admitted that she used to say it all the time, but decided to stop after realising dd has autism, as she didn't want to upset me.

So, after she left, i took to my Facebook for another rant. A lot of people (who i have now deleted) echoed what my friend had said. They said it's just 'banter' and they call their friends it all the time. It's just another way of saying idiot etc.

One came along and actually cut and pasted the definition of retarded. 'Something that is slow or stunted. e.g. the car was retarded, due to its faulty mechanics.'

He therefore felt he had justified his frequent usage of the term in everyday conversation.

I just find it terribly upsetting that this is still considered acceptable. Don't want to break any rules by mentioning this, but someone had said it earlier today on here. A parent. On a parenting forum. It's horrendous.

My gorgeous 5yo has been called retarded before. We were on a double decker bus once, up the top, and she was stimming (flapping her arms) and humming because she was excited. A bunch of teens up the back called down, "Missus - is your kid reatrded or what?' and then called 'bye, window licker' as we left.

So, for someone then to tell me this is NOT a derogatory term is astounding.

Not sure of the point of this thread tbh. Probably another rant. I'm certain i'm not being unreasonable.

Please, please, please - if you are guilty of using this word, stop it. Your children will hear it and then think it's okay to use. And they may end up like those horrible children on the back of that bus my daughter and i had to endure.

People with any sort of disability or special needs have enough to put up with everyday without being abused by this kind of offensive language. It is offensive to call someone a retard, or a mong, or a cripple. It just is. Would you bandy about offensive racist terms and expect people to accept that it is just a 'personal issue'?

clipped - See my first post. If someone thinks retard is not offensive, despite being educated out of their ignorance, they are being disablist and should fuck right off.

There is always one isn't there.

The Irony and the sheer Ignorance is astounding.

You just have to rise above it and not pander to it.

I wonder if our charties for the disabled are campaigning for stopping the use of these words too.

Maybe Mnnetters should email them.

I think the danger with campaigns like that Clementine, is that they often make the word even 'naughtier' to use for some people IYSWIM?

Yes true Worral but think how far we have come with rasicm no?

There's always one? I'ts a word as explained, words only have such power if you take such offence to them. Next week there will be another, then another etc.

I believe in freedom of speach, not repression. Banning words give them far more strengh.

I tell my friends 'you aren't allowed to say that anymore' and I explain what is wrong with it.

Eventually it will stop.

Fair point Clementine but then the 'yoof' reclaimed the N word because for some reason they thought it made them sound all 'bad arse'?!

Tough one really.

Words/phrases come and go but sadly ignorance seems like it's here to stay....

I don't agree about words have power clipped. It's fine to say that if someone calls you cunt, shrug it off, just a word. But to use the word retarded is to drag a vulnerable person into it as a reference point. They are not the subject of the insult, but demeaned and disregarded as the object that an insult is about.

if i am too tired drunk to explain that properly. I will come back in the morning.

Did you know that "twat" is one of the most offensive words you could use in certain places? Most of the words you have used in your responses on this thread are offensive.

Had a few have we ladies?

You deserve everything that's been said to you.

I don't really care what you say (its always the same bunch by the way) who really have some sort of perverse thing about the offended. On here night and day whipping yourselves and your pals into offended frenzies.

I'm glad you have all been able to have a frienzied offended swear.

So sad to hear that this word is still in common use.

When I saw the title of the thread, I ws wondering "What on earth is the R word".