R Word Bozeman High School, 3rd Period

Mrs. Shonkwiler's and Mr. Asserson's classes united to make a video to spread the word to end the word.

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Education

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• r-word
• Bozeman
• Bozeman High School
• r word

[Jixa1]

The Bozeman Daily Chronicle says When students ask what term is more acceptable to use, they suggested intellectually challenged or disabled.

How long before intellectually challenged & disabled are perceived as degrading and hurtful? The word special — as in Special Olympics — was once touted as being more sensitive & that's already used ironically.

These euphemisms inevitably become code for the word that's to be avoided. How about simply teaching people to be sensitive to others?

[FatoDrunkoAndoStupid]

Get rid of the word Retard? Okay. What about stupid? Slow? Dumb? Downs? Ignorant? Idiot?

I noticed that you had a little girl who looks like she may have Down Syndrome. I have nothing bad to say about her... but is it okay to say that she has Down Syndrome or will merely acknowledging this fact hurt someone's feelings?

Is the word retard the problem or is it lack of respect? Calling someone retard is disrespectful but making retard a bad word won't bring about respect for the disabled.

[porn4cash]

I would pay good money to see the lil retard in the video dance. Retards are the new nigger. Everyone knows ONE now. Look out they are good at sports, next they will be haveing sex with your daughters and selling drugs on the other side of town. Mybe they should create a whole style of music all to themselves for everyone else to copy. THE TOKEN RETRD

[BoBtheparrot7]

I DONT LIKE THE WORD BROWNIE I FIND IT OFFENSIVE.

YOU AT 0:12. EXPECT A LETTER FROM MY ESTATE YOUNG LADY.

[janderson2000]

What a bunch of fucking retards

[Poptart0707]

People may not see it as a hurtful word, they may not think it is a big deal. when you meet someone with an intellectual disability you meet someone who will love unconditionally, and they have so much more in common than we think.

It is time for a change and while some people may be opposed to it it comes down to a lack of respect. The kids in this video are truly inspiring and I think we should all follow their example.

[iamaeo2]

continued...

We're not proposing an end to the use of the word itself, just be respectful with the way you use it. Does it put you out of your way to stop using this word, negatively? No. It doesn't affect your life at all. If you strongly believe everyone should just get over it, though, then that's your choice. No one is putting you down for doing what you believe in. We all have the power to affect someone else's life though, and that is what I believe in.

[iamaeo2]

continued...

Maybe, though, if you had students with intellectual disabilities visit your classroom expressing the pain they feel with the use of the word "retard," one might rethink their stance. It is a clinical term that became the butt of jokes to just about everyone.

[iamaeo2]

I am one of the students in this video. I think I can speak for my whole class here when I say, we all understand where you are coming from. I, personally, understand the points being brought up, and I appreciate your efforts in using big, intellectual words so we may assume you do know what you're talking about. No one here is, technically, wrong.

[Poptart0707]

It is a medical term, however the word retarded is used only negatively in conversation in the halls in schools. While we may not see it as offensive just look at where the word came from in the first place. That is taking who that person is and using is negativley and that hurts. People with special needs should be seen as equals.

They have all the same interests and goals in life that we do and to put someone down for who they are is just wrong

[Starflite]

(continued) Despite their diminished mental capacity, they can probably still choose not to associate themselves with the term. It would be more mature of you to grow up and ignore the people who bother you, rather than whining and making it into a huge problem.