Do you think it's okay for people to throw around the word r*tard?

41 Comments

I know that those who say yes, say that they aren't using it to insult people who are actually mentally retarded. And I believe that, but intentions aren't all that matter. Many people are offended by this word being thrown around, especially those who have family members who are mentally handicapped. There are so many other words you could use, so why not just say something else? If you say it, would you explain in nice way, how you think it's fine that you use this word?

Yes 21
No 13
Other (comment) 3
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Comments ( 41 )
  • westoptic
    8 years ago

    "retard" is like the word "faggot"... People who say this typically mean it in a colloquial way, not a literal way.

    I see guys call each other faggot all of the time but they don't mean it as an offensive slur to homosexuals; to them "faggot" means "idiot" or "meathead".

    I think retard is often used that way. It doesn't sound nice though.

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  • thegypsysailor
    8 years ago

    When I was young this was the common word for someone who was developmentally slow (not challenged; slow). As time went on, the medical community found new words to describe an old problem. Should cancer be called malignancy instead, and would it change the disease?
    I just do not understand why people must make such a huge issue over the correct use of the correct word.

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    • Ellenna
      8 years ago

      Yeah, and not too long ago nigger was commonly used about black people, and yid for jews.

      There's no comparison between derogatory terms for human beings and the name of a disease.

      I guess people who aren't a member of a derided group don't understand how those people feel: it's called lack of empathy and respect

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      • thegypsysailor
        8 years ago

        In what universe is the word retard on the same level with the n word or yid?
        Come on now, let's not go all nuts here. There are no other meanings for those two words, yet retard has many meanings in the English language and not one of them is derisive. As I said, people can choose to take offense, even if there is no intent, and the OP is absolutely going to do so because he/she chooses to do so.

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        • mystery7
          8 years ago

          Let me ask you: In what universe is it ok to use the word "retard" when referring to people?

          It is not useful to argue whether the words 'nigger' or 'retard' are on the same level.

          You actually KNOW that they are both derogatory words designed to denigrate and demean people.

          If you happen to know a family or a friend who has a child with an intellectual or learning disability, can you honestly tell me that you would feel ok to refer to their son/daughter as a "retard" to their faces? e.g. "Hey Jeff and Mary, how is your retard son?"

          It may have been an acceptable term to use 50 years ago but it is definitely not now.

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          • Darkoil
            8 years ago

            If my mate spilt a pint on me I'd call him a flaming retard, we'd laugh, no one would take offence. Words evolve all the time and retard is now a slang word for stupid based on its original meaning of slow......as you were.

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            • mystery7
              8 years ago

              That's a silly argument. That's just 2 mates dishing shit to each other in private, which of course is no big deal.

              But if you knew a family or a friend who has a child with an intellectual or learning disability, can you honestly tell me that you would feel ok to refer to their son/daughter as a "retard" to their faces?
              "Hey Joe and Susan, how is your retard son?"

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    • Anonymous Post Author
      8 years ago

      It's not about anything being correct. It's about people being offended.

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      • thegypsysailor
        8 years ago

        Why would one take offense at a proper, correct word? It's not slang nor was the word derived from hatred. You've just got to find more important things in life to get your knickers in a twist over, or you'll be upset all the time.

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        • Anonymous Post Author
          8 years ago

          "It doesn't offend me, so it shouldn't offend anyone."

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          • thegypsysailor
            8 years ago

            They choose to take offense. It isn't mandatory, is it?

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            • Anonymous Post Author
              8 years ago

              I'm pretty sure most people don't have 100% control over their emotions and feelings. Do you know what actually isn't mandatory though? Being an asshole, but here we are.

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  • Ellenna
    8 years ago

    "Handicapped" isn't appropriate either, by the way

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    • Anonymous Post Author
      8 years ago

      Oh, I didn't know that. Thanks for telling me.

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    • snarkygirl
      8 years ago

      What is the preferred term? Most people don't mean to be offensive if they say handicapped.

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      • Ellenna
        8 years ago

        The term handicapped hasn't been in general use in Australia for decades. It's more appropriate to say someone has whatever the condition is, eg, he has cerebral palsy or she is blind, rather than using the term handicapped.

        If you want to see a good rave by a person with a severe disability, check out Stella Young's Ted Talk. She died late last year and was a very outspoken comedian and advocate for many groups, not just those with a disability - worth a look.

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        • snarkygirl
          8 years ago

          Thank you! I'm not trying to be offensive on purpose regarding health conditions.

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  • DonnySullivan
    8 years ago

    It's great fun calling anyone a retahd when they're being retahded.

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  • NeofelisNebulosa
    8 years ago

    I just call people stupid or assholes. Don't usually use the word retarded as an insult.

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  • NobodyKnows
    4 years ago

    Everything is about context. Even the N word is okay in certain contexts. (If an African American rap artist uses it in a song, for instance.)

    That said, I do try to cut down on that word, since many people do find it so offensive, and the mentally handicapped and their fams have enough problems as it is.

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  • selthmasta
    8 years ago

    The awkward moment will you call a actually mentally challenged person retard because he played for 20. Bucks worth of soda with pennies my friend did this

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  • daydreamer394
    8 years ago

    It's childish.

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  • G(d
    8 years ago

    I got a retarded cousin.

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  • snarkygirl
    8 years ago

    I don't consider it a crime, just immature and uncouth.

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  • jethro
    8 years ago

    We are so worried about offending anyone that society is becoming crippled. Or is the word crippled not correct either? Even if something that was said was inadvertently said. We have taken this PC crap way too far. Everyone is apologizing for everything. It is sickening. I say get rid of the PC crap and if someone is offended. Well too bad. I am not going to be PC anymore. If I say something that I think is OK and it offends someone, deal with it. If I think something is offensive in the first place I won't say it. But I see no problems in saying someone is mentally retarded. But I won't call someone a retard. That is two different things.

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    • snarkygirl
      8 years ago

      Some people look for any reason to be offended. If you let everyone upset you, YOU are the one allowing others to have power over you. I may not like what people call me but I just shrug it off.

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  • Shrunk
    8 years ago

    deshikd? well, I use the word as what it really means, just like you did. "mentally retarded" = someone that's mental ability was retarded or slowed down in development. Same as using "mental deficient", psycho, idiot, dumb or something. I'm not big into censorship for political correctness, but I try to avoid hurting people's feelings unless they deserve it, so i don't go throwing around words like that unless I'm mad and therefore wouldn't care about offending someone. I wouldn't say it's 'okay' to be 'throwing around' any curse words/insults (as they lose effectiveness that way), but I'm not against it either. if people are offended by words then that's their problem.

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    • deshikd
      8 years ago

      How'd you know? That's true. Though I can't respect anyone that would choose their right to use some word over the feelings of another person. Plus with words like r*tard, it's not always the person who's being directly insulted that's actually affected by it.

      People always bring up political correctness in conversations like this, but I don't think of it that way. I care about other people, I don't want to insult people who don't deserve it. These matters are as simple as that with me.

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      • Shrunk
        8 years ago

        I remember from another post you were against the use of that word...never really seen anyone censor it before that's how i figured it was you

        It's good that you care about other people... I do too, it's just hard for me to understand how words can affect someone that much, since they don't bother me. but i do try to avoid words like that since i know it offends some people and like you said they aren't really necessary when there are other more accurate ones

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        • deshikd
          8 years ago

          I see.
          Yeah I can definitely understand what your saying. To be honest I don't have much empathy myself. I can't relate to people's feelings even half the time, but I respect them regardless.

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  • Short4Words
    8 years ago

    Using the word retard for someone who's just an idiot feels insulting to mentally challenged people.

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  • modernism
    8 years ago

    I most likely wouldn't call someone out on it, but I typically don't use it myself.

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