The R Word

The "R" word.

Much debate has go on, on how to deal with the word.  Many feel the word should be banned, President Obama recently passed Rosa's Bill which changed the terms "mental retardation" to "intellectual disability" and "mentally retarded individual" to "individual with an intellectual disability" in federal health, education, and labor laws.  However, many feel the word should not be banned, because that it’s like trying to ban and idea.  Instead of banning the word, people should take time to understand it and those who have a mental disability.

I agree, with this "movement" of not banning the word, but rather understanding it.  If the word is banned a new slur will just rise up, with the same negative meaning. It will still be used to describe something that is "stupid” or "dumb" just as the r word does now. 

I feel we need to take the time to educate ourselves on the word, and purge the word of all negative connotations.  Many associate those with a disability as being less than nothing insignificant people, but this is because they have never taken the time to get to know someone.  Learn Potter, is a Glee cast member with a mental disability, and yet she is on a hit TV show. 

Every year the my high school soccer team takes a trip to School of the Holy Childhood, it is honestly one of the most rewarding days of my year.  The school is dedicated to helping those with disabilities.  One starts in kindergarten and goes all the way to 12th grade.  The School also teaches the older students how to work, so they can go get a job and contribute to society. 

I feel people who use the R word, in every day conversation are just ignorant uneducated people, making fools of themselves whenever they open their mouths. 

Banning a word is like banning an idea, we do not need to ban anything, we just need to understand.