Topic: Political Correctness

[Tatyana]

I must admit, retard is one of my favourite insults.

I think things like 'Creatards' and 'Conspiritards' are really apt names for individuals who believe in nonsense.

I also think that the definition fits with these people, and I think that there are individuals who should be called retarded:

-to make slow; delay the development or progress of (an action, process, etc.); hinder or impede.

I have been informed that using this word is insensitive to those who have been born with some genetic condition that may render them with a lower IQ.

I would really like to reclaim the word to mean those that are slowing the progress of humanity.

There are other words that refer to a group of people that I wouldn't use, for example, racial slurs, so is it being hypocritical that I want to use retard?

[Citizen Skeptic]

I think in general there is too much political correctness.

[ting-bu-dong]

I have a hard time seeing a difference between calling someone "retarded" and calling them "stupid" for doing stupid things. Especially since the outrage over the use of "retard" exclusively relates to using that word to describe people who in fact are not retarded. Using "retarded" as an insult towards people who are actually mentally handicapped is an entirely different story.

[Johnny Slick]

We have a perfectly good word for political correctness already; it's called politeness. Seriously, I of all people am not saying you shouldn't ever be impolite. Imaginary sky being knows that I love to ruffle peoples' feathers sometimes. I'm just saying, if you're going to be, you ought to embrace it instead of in effect saying "I'm not being mean, I'm being politically INCORRECT!!!".

[Johnny Slick]

dola,

I have a hard time seeing a difference between calling someone "retarded" and calling them "stupid" for doing stupid things. Especially since the outrage over the use of "retard" exclusively relates to using that word to describe people who in fact are not retarded. Using "retarded" as an insult towards people who are actually mentally handicapped is an entirely different story.

One thing that I enjoy doing is calling people "developmentally disabled". I don't know why, it's just funnier than "retard".

[Neon Genesis]

I have a hard time seeing a difference between calling someone "retarded" and calling them "stupid" for doing stupid things. Especially since the outrage over the use of "retard" exclusively relates to using that word to describe people who in fact are not retarded. Using "retarded" as an insult towards people who are actually mentally handicapped is an entirely different story.

I guess it's like the difference between calling somebody a jerk versus calling someone an asshole.  They both mean the same thing but one is considered harsher than the other.

[ting-bu-dong]

I have a hard time seeing a difference between calling someone "retarded" and calling them "stupid" for doing stupid things. Especially since the outrage over the use of "retard" exclusively relates to using that word to describe people who in fact are not retarded. Using "retarded" as an insult towards people who are actually mentally handicapped is an entirely different story.

I guess it's like the difference between calling somebody a jerk versus calling someone an asshole.  They both mean the same thing but one is considered harsher than the other.

Except it's not the people who are being called retarded who are taking offense. People are taking offense on behalf of actual retarded people who up to that point aren't even part of the conversation. The same dynamic doesn't exist for people taking offense on behalf of stupid people.

[Redamare]

Generally, I tend to use "infant" or "child" in the same place people use "retard" as an insult. 

"I can't plan a camping trip with more than three friends and expect it to go smoothly, but you think the government faked 9/11? What are you, a fucking infant?"

I think it works better, since everybody starts out as an infant.

But that's not to say I NEVER say "retard;" I do.  And I don't really think of it as a problem.  The day that using "retard" as an insult is the worst thing people do in discussions will be a wonderful, wonderful day.

I feel a little differently about calling things "gay."  There really isn't anything bad or lame about being gay (other than how society might respond to it, I mean,) but most people would concede that, while mentally disabled people can be wonderful and productive citizens, it is still better not to be mentally disabled.

[Johnny Slick]

Yeah, when I was growing up I remember calling all kinds of things that I didn't like "gay". Now, I don't use it because, well, I just don't see the power of the word anymore. "You like to follow the wrong kinds of sports? That makes you very much like a person who is brave enough to recognize and celebrate their minority sexuality. I'm kind of envious of you."

[jomike]

People who are mentally disabled are quite aware that "retard" is a term of mockery.  They hear others using it as a general-purpose insult -- it's become a go-to insult in school hallways now that "gay" is no longer cool.  Whether it's directed at them or at neurotypical people, they hear (and overhear).  And they internalize, a lot.  They know it's a derogatory term but they can't stand up for themselves -- it almost always turns out badly if they try -- and others rarely stand up for them in social situations.

[ting-bu-dong]

Those are good points. Do you differentiate between "retard" as a generic schoolyard insult and calling a neurotypical person's stupid action "retarded" in place of "stupid"?

[jomike]

Those are good points. Do you differentiate between "retard" as a generic schoolyard insult and calling a neurotypical person's stupid action "retarded" in place of "stupid"?

Yes, and I'm sure you and most other neurotypical people do, too.  The difficulty is that the mentally challenged also hear (and overhear, and web-surf, and are otherwise exposed to) our conversations.   And our tone & choice of words do affect them, sometimes very deeply and in ways we might not suspect.

[Karyn]

I've just decided to not use terms that other people find offensive.  Yeah, I think some people get over offended by words, but I'm not really interested in continuing to use a word that offends a specific group of people just because I want to feel self righteous about my inability to get offended by words.

[Neon Genesis]

I wish Christians would stop using the words "militant atheist" every time an atheist disagrees with them on something.

[Chew]

I served on a boat and "retard" was thrown around constantly until one Chief sent an email to everybody explaining his daughter has Down's Syndrome, she's the sweetest and nicest girl in the world, and would we please stop saying "retard". I heard it once after that. A few days after the email went out one guy said it and the Chief happened to be standing nearby. Before he could apologize to the Chief about 10 people jumped his shit. I never heard it said again onboard, even after he transferred off the boat.