Is it acceptable to use the word "retarded" loosely?
By Jesuslovesme
@MsBooklover (3974)
United States
September 25, 2018 1:04pm CST
Surely, you have noticed over the years that people use that word without thinking. When I hear it taken out of context and in a disrespectful way, I feel uncomfortable. Above is an article from Disabiity Scoop about one of the shows on Netflix where a comedian has no problem using it. They call it creative expression. What if everyone just stopped tuning in to such comedy and his career went down the tubes? That would be our creative choice.
Netflix CEO Reed Hastings is defending a segment featuring the word "retarded" that airs on the streaming service saying that such language falls within the bounds of "creative expression."
3 people like this
7 responses
@MsBooklover (3974)
• United States
30 Sep 18
That makes it offensive. The way they use it is offensive to mentally challenged people, too.
1 person likes this
@MsBooklover (3974)
• United States
25 Sep 18
In the medical field, they use mentally challenged. I don't think they use the word special. However, people in everyday life have a tendency to use retarded.
@akalinus (43196)
• United States
25 Sep 18
@MsBooklover People in everyday life usually use that term when trying to insult or disagree with someone. They don't agree with the person so he calls them retarded.
1 person likes this
@sweetashoney (3597)
• United States
25 Sep 18
I for one do not use that word. After reading the article, I can see why they would be upset. That is the trouble with comedian's though, as long as they get a laugh, they don't care what they say about anyone or anything.
1 person likes this
@sweetashoney (3597)
• United States
30 Sep 18
@MsBooklover Oh yes, I think for some people there is nothing they wouldn't do to make a buck, like you said.
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@MsBooklover (3974)
• United States
2 Oct 18
@sweetashoney I totally agree, and it is a shame.
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@MsBooklover (3974)
• United States
30 Sep 18
That is becoming the norm these days. It if gets a laugh or makes a buck....it's OK.
1 person likes this
@just4him (317067)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
2 Oct 18
I won't even allow my grandchildren to use that word in my hearing, and wouldn't allow my children to either when they were young and under my roof.
I take great offense to that word as I was called that until my parents learned otherwise.
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@just4him (317067)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
3 Oct 18
@MsBooklover They know I won't allow that word spoken in my hearing.
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@MsBooklover (3974)
• United States
2 Oct 18
I am sorry you had that experience, but I am glad it made you do something to make your family realize how hurtful it is.
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@dave121495 (1296)
• Philippines
27 Sep 18
Its a derogatory word used to disrespect person with disabilites, better use mentally challenged.
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@MsBooklover (3974)
• United States
30 Sep 18
I agree with you. That is the best way to go.
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@dave121495 (1296)
• Philippines
1 Oct 18
@MsBooklover We have this discussion during our college and my classmate accidentally said out of innocence to our topic "retarded person" but he is really pointing out about person who has a mental disability. And our teacher raised her eyebrows and said it is not good to use such word, you should use mentally challenged.
1 person likes this
@freelancermariagrace (27970)
• Philippines
25 Sep 18
I hate using that word because my uncle has a down syndrome. And even if I don't have a relative who is mentally challenged, I won't still use that word. It's disrespectful in my opinion.
1 person likes this
@MsBooklover (3974)
• United States
30 Sep 18
You can be a good roll model for those who do not get it.
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (116936)
• Anniston, Alabama
25 Sep 18
in the older days the word retarded described a condition, I still use it to describe that condition. Mentally challenged can mean many different illnesses but when you say a person is retarded, you know how bad the disability is.
I do not use it unless I refering to that condition.
