Boycott the R-word

Isn't this just getting blown completely out of proportion? I saw something about people protesting 'Tropic Thunder' because they referred to Ben Stiller's character multiple times as retarded. Protest because of a word... I don't get this. The only thing I would be able to pledge is that I will use this word when people act this way. :dry:

 

I spent about a minute staring at the first post, trying to figure out what exactly the R-word might be. Honestly, I was kind of hoping it was "robot".

I haven't used the word in eons, so I guess I'm OK.

Lex

 

I'm guilty of saying it from time to time, but I'm really trying to refrain from it. It's as bad as saying "That's gay".

Another phrase that I discourage the use of is to say "He Gypped me".

 

I don't use "retard" to describe anyone or anything that it doesn't fit with, any more than I would use "gay" as an insult, but to protest a movie because of the overuse of a certain word? Some people don't know when to stop. All the "boycott this!" and "war on that!" is getting out of hand.

 

its a good job the word was actually mentioned because i had no idea.


I havnt heard anyone say it is aaages...
and even then it was used properly...

 

Wow so this made me think to myself when I read this "Have I ever used 'retard'?"
And now that I think about it I've only used it when talking to / about this one person I know. But the weird thing is that they are 'diagnosed' [hate saying diagnosed in cases like this] as ' slightly retarded'.

But as Henson said I rarely hear people say retard out of proper context.

 

Well i had no idea what was meant by the 'R' word until it was posted. And no, i havent used it in years, or will ever plan to use it.

 

i never use that word to describe anything/anyone i dislike

 

I used to use that word occasionally, until I realized what it actually meant and how potentially hurtful it could be to use it.

 

I use it sometimes (very rarely, actually), and I do feel bad when I say that, because it is rude to say 'you're so retarded', even to someone who's not mentally handicapped.

It's really common, in my school, to hear people say 'you're retarded'. It's just as common as 'you're gay'.

It's wrong to say it and use it as an insult, but I think protesting the movie and going to war on using it is a little extreme.

 

yeah when i heard about this the first thing i said was, "wow they're retarded" without even realizing it. We have freedom of speech in our country and i am sure they use words that other groups of people dont agree with.

I mean if they want to taboo this word for themselves then thats great for them. But they cant force other people to follow their beliefs and standards. Like that shit pisses me off.

 

>>>I mean if they want to taboo this word for themselves then thats great for them. But they cant force other people to follow their beliefs and standards. Like that shit pisses me off.

Yeah, it IS pretty gay.

Lex

 

Lex makes a good point.

 

That word is not allowed in my child care and anybody saying it will get a stern talking to. Its degrading and hurtful to people with disabilities. Oh...and the same thing with "that's so gay".

 

You don't understand protest of a word? do you like when people call you faggot? buttpirate?
My uncle is retarted. It's not the actual word retarted, which only means slow, it is the way in which people use it. with a condescending attitude, many times in anger.
that's why it is wrong