This thread is to talk about the dreaded r-word. That's right, the word which is quickly becoming perceived as worse than any swear, and almost on the same line as racial slurs. There's heavy movement to practically erase the word "retard" from existence. But is it THAT bad?

There are many words which mean the same thing, dumb, idiot, and so forth. These words are considered insults, but there is no push to restrict their usage. Yet some people take special exception to the word "retard". Whether it's really that offensive or not can be debated all day, but regardless, should it be banned?

It's not the words that someone uses that matters as much as the message. If someone types an entire paragraph of valid points, but uses the word retard once, I won't just disregard everything they said because I didn't like their choice of vocabulary. Only if the message itself is intended to be offensive or hateful will I treat it as such.

The issue goes beyond just this word. Do we start banning any and every word that someone takes offense to? How much do we shorten our dictionary just to make sure that everyone's feelings has been satisfied? Political correctness never stops, people will always find something to be offended by, and if none exists they will INVENT a reason to be offended.

Do people have the right to force others to abide by their own language standards? Is it right to ban a word because some take offense to it? Where is the line drawn on banning words? Depends on the viewpoint I suppose.

inb4 someone reports me for having the word "retard" in my post.
/rantover
/have a quote

Reported

I think part of the reason that I don't think the "R Word" should be written out of our language,

even though I share many other common social-political-economic points of view with people who do want the "R Word" to vanish,

is that not only will some people always find a reason to be offended sooner or later,

but that some people will always find a reason to offend others, and they will find or create a word to suit their need to be mean-spirited, if only in that moment.

People used to call me the r-word when I was younger. It was very offensive. Now they call me "mentally challenged", and I feel much better.

Is it really that bad I still hear it used a lot

I think it's a wonderful word. It's a good fall back word for those 'speacil' individuals.

Why can't people just use a word as the definition states? In this case a mental handicap? I don't think it is a problem to call someone retarded...if they actually are.

Words like Retarded and Gay are not offensive when used properly. But why should people be allowed to use them as slurs?

I'm obviously older than most people on here (36), but I just don't see the need to use slurs, swearing, insults, etc. Where does that get us in society? Nowhere. If you have a problem with what someone did, say so. But why do people need to use these slurs? Just tell them what they did is stupid, idiotic, etc. The English language already has words to deal with any scenario without us making up definitions over the years.

And Eklipse, you are dead wrong on those words all meaning the same. Idiot, dumb, etc actually mean a deficiency in IQ. Some retarded people have higher IQs than you or I. The problem is their handicap doesn't allow them to function socially like you or I can. So basically you are misusing that word. The English language is confusing enough (many words already have many meanings), why muddy the waters more with slang?

Edited 9/15/2015 14:16:39

I don't think retarded people don't want to be called that. It is family/friends around them who don't like it. The reason why is that people have used it as a slang for so long, they have put a negative connotation on the word. If people used it properly, nobody would be up in arms about it.

Put it this way. If they want to be called mentally handicapped because it is not offensive...what happens when kids just start using that to insult normally functioning kids they don't like?

Then "mentally handicapped" will be taboo. The issue is that kids are bullies with their words. The issue is not the words themselves. So why not teach our kids to respect one another? Why not as kids/teens you respect one another? Then these slang words will not have any power.

I'm obviously older than most people on here (36), but I just don't see the need to use slurs, swearing, insults, etc. Where does that get us in society? Nowhere. If you have a problem with what someone did, say so. But why do people need to use these slurs?

I'm actually of a similar mind. I rarely to never use slurs,swears, or insults (Perhaps only when I'm extremely angered towards someone). However, I'm a firm supporter of free speech and not a fan of political correctness. I hate when an entire discussion is derailed because one person said "retard" and somebody else decides it's their job to play policeman and censor that person.

It's not just "retard" that's the issue. There's also a movement to ban the word "midget", and in some circles the term "fat" is falling from accepted use. Those who believe highly in political correctness keep trying to tighten control on what words other people can use and it's getting outrageous at times.

So, this thread isn't so much me wanting to say the word "retard", the real intent is to defy the logic behind the attempt to censor it. The crusade to ban words that someone is offended by can only go as far as we allow it to.

Just tell them what they did is stupid, idiotic, etc. The English language already has words to deal with any scenario without us making up definitions over the years.

Another part of my issue is that words like stupid and idiot essentially mean the same thing, but you can get away with using those far easier than saying "retard".

Put it this way. If they want to be called mentally handicapped because it is not offensive...what happens when kids just start using that to insult normally functioning kids they don't like?

Then "mentally handicapped" will be taboo. The issue is that kids are bullies with their words. The issue is not the words themselves. So why not teach our kids to respect one another? Why not as kids/teens you respect one another? Then these slang words will not have any power.

This I fully agree with. It's not words that are the problem, it's people's attitude towards one another.

Edited 9/15/2015 14:25:45