I'm not certain where you come up with the 'fact' that there has been 250 total years of documented world peace. Consider the fact that there was probably tribal warfare going on somewhere or subversive missions going on at others. Since man and the predecessors have been around, I would wager a guess that there hasn't been a single day of world peace, let alone 250 years.

How could there be only 3,400 years of documented history? The Jewish calendar has over 5,000 years on it, not to mention others that probably go back further than that.

I completely agree. I have never used that word before, not to a special-ed kid, nor to someone who is being idiotic. I think it's ignorant to use that word against anybody. People can be stupid, yes, but calling them retarded just irks me, especially when you can use a different word that means the same thing. Maybe it's just me; I've always kinda had a thing toward that word. Must be why I'm writing a book where the main character is in the special-needs class. I really hope I can show the world that they are just like everyone else. They have feelings too. It does hurt, guys. I'm glad most of you that commented are cautious when you use that word. If you're going to use it, that's the least you can do. :)

As a special ed person, I want to say than you for putting this post up.

I really wish people would shut the hell up about that word being "bad".

If you're going to be offended by retard, shouldn't you also be offended by stupid, dumb, lame, idiot, and moron? I mean, they all used to describe some sort of disability.

People on the internet need to stop being so damn butthurt by everything all the time.
NEWSFLASH: Getting offended by ANYTHING is going to get you ABSOLUTELY NOWHERE.

On the contrary, OP.

I find it completely reasonable to use the word "retarded" as an insult.

However, I find it incredibly demeaning when it is used to describe those who are actually mentally challenged. The word is derogatory, so it has no place as an adjective describing an entire group of people.

The word "retard" is basically the n word, but not quite as bad. I don't understand why people don't see that.

I hate it when people say that too. Because being retarted is an acutal disability. My school has this program that is called "Spread the word to end the word". It's about spreading the word about not using retard or retarded. It's been working really well. You should look it up.

I only use the word retard when describing those idiots that do moronic things or if I'm straight out frustrated. I have no problem with special ed kids at all. My cousin is autistic, but a great person and one of my closest friends was deaf and had a minor mental disability. Of course not all disabled people are exactly kind, but it's not their fault that they have the problem they do, and none of them deserve to be called such condescending names

Just because you say you don't mean to be using the word in 'that way', you're still hurting someone. Every time I hear that word, I think of my little brother, and all of his friends that are.. well, 'special', as one might say. Yes, not every single 'special' child is the sweetest, but they don't know the difference. And most of them that I know are some of the most caring, innocent children that you will ever have the pleasure of knowing. Even if you're not trying to hurt anyone by using that word, you usually are; even if they do not show it. When you say 'retarded', you're calling my little brother stupid, one of his best friends who is autistic dumb, and so many other innocent kids below average of what they are capable of doing. Those kids can do amazing things, never doubt them. Making fun of them like that will just bring them down to a lower place than they are already at. So next time when you think about using it in such a negative way, think again.

Sometimes I feel that way, because my brother is autistic, but I still use "retard". No one person can change however many kids are using it.

I'll admit I use the word retard a lot. But not because of special Ed kids. When I call someone a retard I'm not thinking about other people - I'm thinking about that particular person, and it's usually in a joking manner. But I AM careful about where I am and who I'm around when I use the word. I would never insult a special ed kid. Ever. Because you're right, they are very sweet. And like Timon said, there are many, many more words that people use.

Yes, well people call each other idiots, morons, imbeciles all the time and they ALL as terms in true reality represent mental deficiency or mild mental retardation. But that didn't occur to you. Only "retards" matter, right?
Thank you for this lovely PSA, but people have done so for years and won't magically stop now. Unless you can actually do something about it.
Why don't you tell that to people in real life. That's the only way you can change something because as you can see, nobody cares about things written on the Internet.

Edited 11 months ago (2 times)

I use the word "retard" negatively, but that's because special ed kids are NOT retards, they simply have (usually minor)mental problems. To me, retard is not a word used to describe someone with mental conditions, but rather a meaningless word to be used however one chooses.

My aunt worked with special ed kids. A few are sweet, but most of them are just normal kids and some are downright mean. She had one girl who would swear, kick, punch, and bite people regularly. That girl was not especially sweet, loving or innocent. "Special" kids are just like any other kids, they just take a little longer to learn some things. Stop treating them as if they are completely different from "normal" humans. They are people too.

Edited 11 months ago

Yeah, no.
I've helped out in my schools "Special Ed" wing - they're no different than us just sometimes a tad slower. You've got the nice ones, the average ones, and the rude ones.

Whirl Poo gave me a good long laugh.

I sent this straight to UnFriendable. If you read the whole thing, you know why :)

It definitely sounds like you're with the wrong guy. You should obviously be with a guy who treats you well, not some abusive douche.

Oooh, that dude seems to be friend zoned :(

So girls you deem unattractive aren't allowed to have a boyfriend before you have one?