The R Word

Saturday, March 22nd, 2008

“I’m going to look like such a retard”.

I kept quiet.

I was in the office of a social worker recently helping them get setup on Skype and a USB headset. When they put the headset on they said, “I’m going to look like such a retard”.

I was shocked to hear this coming from a licensed social worker and felt my emotions starting to boil. I wanted to call them on it. I wanted to tell them;

  • as a parent of child with down syndrome I found it insulting.
  • as a person I was perturbed and immediately thought less of them.
  • as a co-worker I was disappointed to hear them say that.

    • But …. I kept quiet.

    Here we had an experienced social worker, working for an agency that supports families, children and persons with disabilities. Someone who I would expect would have some sensitivty to a word that is commonly used as an insult. “Retard” or “retarded” is commonly used as an insult in everyday life and in the media, especially among teens and young adults…. and it’s not OK. It hurts and it’s mean.

    But … I kept quiet.

    My silence helps sustain and perpetuate the negative stereotypes. I make a promise not to let that happen again. No more turning the other cheek. I will take advantage of these situations to voice my opinion and hopefully teach someone that it’s NOT OK.

    I WILL NOT BE QUIET ANY LONGER!

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