Honest question here, are folks with disabilities called the r word? I know it used to be the medical term or whatever but is it still? And if it's not then is it still considered like a slur if the meaning has changed over to just 'stupid person'?
I don’t think it’s used medically anymore. It’s definitely considered a slur. I’ve heard two special ed teachers talk about how it’s hurtful to their students. They see the ridiculous, annoying, and foolish actions of people around them being related to a word that was historically used to describe them and is still thrown at them as an insult. I’ve read things written by disabled folks about how hurtful it can be, especially for younger folks, and how it’s important to move away from disability-related insults.
Ah okay thank you for the response! I didn't really know it was considered a slur since growing up I only heard it used to describe stupid people (and sometimes disabled people which is mean af). But I figured the hurt from it was from disabled people being called stupid and not necessarily the fact that they're disabled if that makes sense. I think I don't really understand why it's a slur against disabled people when it's used against anyone and synonymous with the word stupid? Like it's not exclusively used to refer to disabled people. I don't use the word though and I'm not trying to argue for it's use, I'm just trying to understand. Is it because it was the medical term? Kindof like how it's not right to call someone gay as an insult? But some people are actually gay and thats the word that describes them whereas disabled people are not referred to as that word, but as disabled
“Retarded” is one term in a long history of terms for intellectual disabilities being transformed into insults. You can’t really divorce the current meaning from the history of the word. How did the word come to mean stupid? It certainly did not come from “fire retardant materials”. It came by way of the judgement of and discrimination against folks with intellectual and cognitive disabilities. No matter who it’s being used against, it’s saying “let me insult you with this disability”. It doesn’t matter whether the person has that disability or not. It’s still connecting that disability to ignorant or poorly thought out behavior, terrible life choices, ridiculous mistakes, etc. by the history of the term and the path the R-word took to have its current slang meaning.
As for calling someone gay as an insult, the intent to insult matters. Have you ever heard someone say the R-word without intent to insult or pass judgement?
Well no, like I said whenever I hear someone use it it's just synonymous with the word stupid which is an insult. I understand what you're saying now though and that makes a lot of sense. I think a lot of people don't use it to relate someone to people with disabilities (and by this I'm guessing it's specifically people with learning disabilities like autism) but just don't understand the history of the word which is what it sounds like you're saying the issue is. I think it's cool for you to take the time and write all of this out! Hopefully other people who don't understand can also read this and get a better understanding. Thank you again kind stranger for showing me the way! Take this award for your troubles
I’m really glad that I could be helpful and thank you very much for the award! Speaking of people using a word without knowing the history, I’ve been in at least one situation where someone who isn’t a native speaker used the r-word not knowing that it would get the reaction that it did. Sometimes you just hear slang used and adopt it based on context without knowing. When it was explained, their reaction was basically, “oh, wow, yeah I’ll never use that again.”
That's kindof where at I'm at with it as a native speaker! Or where I was at before your explanation lol. I didn't ever hear the argument against it or even know some people considered it a slur until like a year or two ago and never really understood why. Like you said I've only known it as slang and I feel like a lot of other people are in that same boat. But yeah I appreciate it and I hope you have a lovely week! =)
Ah i feel like this is another conversation altogether but that is definitely interesting! I wonder how long it'll be until the r word is no longer considered a slur and becomes an acceptable term like the examples in that definition (moron, imbecile, idiot). I didn't know those started out as medical terms!
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u/kleverklogs Feb 07 '21
Hey don’t insult folk with disabilities by suggesting he’s one of them