We Can Work It Out - Politics & Philosophy | Page 30 | Fab Forum | The Beatles Bible

It’s the connotation attributed to the term, not just the meaning but also how it was used back in times long ago; retarded has a horrific negative attachment to it and so, rightly, has been removed from the words commonly used in society. I work in care and, quite rightly, it’s about inclusion for all and not highlighting that people who require care are different. When you go back and see how many with learning disabilities were treated just 20 years ago it is sickening and would have even the most hardened hearts questioning how it was allowed to happen whilst being incredibly angry, shocked and embarrassed that this was occurring in the UK/US, and don’t think for a second all types of abuse now do not exist, they do and anyone who is guilty of even just turning a blind eye should be hauled thru the courts and dealt with accordingly. 

Yes, there are cases of Political Correctness went mad but I’d far rather it went a little too far and was reigned back than was insufficient and people were referred to in ways that are demeaning, hurtful and, quite frankly, sickening.

If removing certain words from our vocabulary helps decrease stigmas, stereotypes, labels and abuse of any kind then I am all for it.

sir walter raleigh said
In the case of political correctness, my dad’s side of the family refers to my uncle as retarded because he has severe mental deficiencies most of which aren’t diagnosed, although we do know that Autism is somehow involved. The point is, I would rather a person refer to him as retarded than try to be smart and PC and assume his condition incorrectly. 

Its kind of like how people often think african american is so much better terminology  than black, when I have often seen a jamaican american or black person who doesn’t see themself as African American be referred to that way. 

Sure there has been a dark history when it comes to nomenclature on this subject, but using a blanket word like retarded without malicious intent is far less offensive than somebody thinking they are so nice and smart by saying I can’t describe my uncle as retarded, I have to use his actual disorder instead.   

It obviously depends on the context but in terms of people with a disability, I detest the word retard. I’m very easy going but if used around me I’d call the person on it. The term, certainly where I am, is highly inappropriate.

Dark Overlord said
Do you get pissed off by it even when it’s used properly to refer to the medical condition or is it just when people use it in place of a word like stupid and dumb like if I said something like “George Harrison ‘s guitar part in Dizzy Miss Lizzy is so retarded”.  

In the statement above it’s needless and another word less controversial could be easily used. Personally, I’d rather it never be used, certainly not on here.

Little Piggy Dragonguy said

How will removing a word get rid of stigmas, stereotypes, or abuse? Retarded is just a word. The word is not the problem. The problem is how people use it and their beliefs about people with disabilities.   

You have to remove barriers and that can mean the words due to what those words mean or the connotations attached, of course you are challenging the meaning(s) behind and the people using it/them, however, there is no doubt that the specific words used do make a difference and have repercursions. To say they don’t is naive and wrong. There is a lot of power in the language we use and therefore we have to be mindful of the words we use and how we use them.