Wow, this has just been a shit day.

Let me end this whole conversation with this: Yes, I did a bad thing. I'm sorry. It's totally off the subject of the original post though, and so I'm going to let this die. I'm sorry I even brought the whole thing up.

I understand you're upset but your original post DOES matter and it is an important issue...and it's obviously not just the word "retard" that's stereotyped and misused.

Hope tomorrow's better.

I don't like when people use the word "retarded" simply because I find it offending.
My mom works with mentally disabled children at an Elementary school, her and I always have conversations about how we dislike people saying things like that.

Another word that I don't like people using is "gay" because gay means you like the opposite gender. It doesn't mean stupid or whatever else people may use it for.

In other words, I do agree that people should stop misusing "retard" and use another word or phrase instead.

Originally Posted by Meela

I don't like when people use the word "retarded" simply because I find it offending.
My mom works with mentally disabled children at an Elementary school, her and I always have conversations about how we dislike people saying things like that.

Another word that I don't like people using is "gay" because gay means you like the opposite gender. It doesn't mean stupid or whatever else people may use it for.

In other words, I do agree that people should stop misusing "retard" and use another word or phrase instead.

Gay is liking the same gender, not the opposite. It is typically used for homosexual males, more so than homosexual females.

It also means happy, if you go by dictionary definition.

Just thought you should know, or fix that if you made an error.

Originally Posted by anaxilea

Wow, this has just been a shit day.

Let me end this whole conversation with this: Yes, I did a bad thing. I'm sorry. It's totally off the subject of the original post though, and so I'm going to let this die. I'm sorry I even brought the whole thing up.

It just makes me mad when someone is all about political correctness, and not offending people, but then doesn't stick to their guns and stay consistent with not using any stereotypical hateful words. :?
My apologizes for "driving the nail in deeper" but, when you say you don't like insulting words like "retard" but then turn around and insult someone else using a different couple words...It's just unfair. Like only the words that you deem are hurtful, are hurtful--like one does not give any care to who else they might insult. It reflects poorly on your original post, and the point is...It DOES retract from what you are saying--it makes your points hold less mustard you know?

I hope that makes sense and you understand where I was coming from.

I also was thinking about this last night, and wanted to throw it in; I don't find the word retard as innately insulting (it is a description of a thing meaning "slow"), I actually hate the word "disabled" (at least for me--will explain) more. That said I understand both their uses and do not get really "insulted" just by use of the words. (If they are meant to insult I will take them like insults however, but like insults of any other kind, they do not carry any special "rage" trigger for me...But I tend to be very accepting that most people just don't think shit through before they say it if that makes sense.)

To explain; I am literally SLOW. My "processing speed" for information is slower than the average person--but my IQ is over 130 (even with the points I lose for PS--yes, how quickly you think IS on the IQ test they give you). I just don't think too quickly, and sometimes it takes me a few extra seconds.
Disabled, however, which is what I am "labeled" (according to NYS) means that I "can't do" certain things. But in fact I can if you give me a minute and explain it twice (sometimes I don't catch everything someone says and need clarification). Disabled makes me FEEL like everyone thinks I am incapable. So for someone like me, I would actually prefer being called "retard" (slow) to "disabled" (incapable). Does that make sense? I understand the negative connotations to retard, but I can choose to ignore them--because frankly--there's nothing wrong with taking an extra minute to think things through before doing them. My work is often a lot more accurate and better presented than other people who rush. :P But that might just be me.

I like the term "differently abled" I think Raine mentioned it to me earlier over AIM, and it makes me feel better when someone explains me as "differently abled" and not "mentally disabled." I mean, I'd still rather be "just a normal person" but if you must describe someone like me, then differently abled is the way to go, not "disabled."
Like I said, probably 50 years from now "disabled" will be an insulting word.

n___n;; I hope that all makes sense in context with others things I have said, too.

I don't have a problem with the word being used, both for its original purpose and as an insult. It means slow(ed), and when someone does something that the other person thinks makes it seem as though that's exactly what he must be, then the word applies. :/ TBH, I'm more offended by the way people act as though a simple word is not only that big of a deal, but that anyone who uses it in any context is just sooo stupid and terrible. You don't like it, don't use it--and I won't use it on you, but you've got no reason to tell me I can't say it elsewhere. Not everyone is going to be deeply hurt by a word, especially when it's not meant to offend the "disabled community" or whatever the proper name is these days. Sure, purposefully trying to offend someone who IS a part of said "community" by using the word or something similar is rude and uncalled for. But otherwise? I say leave it be.