2nd Trimester

Just curious...

I honestly am.  I know this is going to start crap, but here it goes...

 

For those of you upset about the word retarded...if someone uses it in front of you in real life, do you correct them?  Same thing with gay, as someone pointed out.  If you do, do you do it every time?

 

For my two cents...even though the words are not great words, there are far worse situations to use them than in the post below.

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Re: Just curious...

  • If someone uses either gay or retarded in a phrase like "that's so ____" I give them the LOOK. Usually most people get the drift not to do that in front of me the first time. The second time I question them. "How exactly is ____ something gay/retarded?" Finally I call them trash if they continue.
  • I worked as a special education teacher for years and then left the field.  When I left I went back to volunteering for the Autism Society of America so I have to say I have a problem with the word.  I would say I correct people probably 90% of the time. 

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  • Yeah I usually do! But I would say in a non-confrontational tone like, "that wasn't very PC of you..." with a smile....or a friendly tone to it...

     

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  • If it's a friend I tell them it rude...if it's a stranger I just give them the side-eye.
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  • I do correct youth (I work with them at my non-profit) as a teaching tool.  Particularly gay as there is an angry/almost violent undertone in the way that youth often use this- and we are in CA so it is particularly sensitive. 
  • if they are not used maliciously,,, than it wouldnt bother me...
  • It depends on who it is... I have said a few times something along the lines of "you are such an intelligent person but when you say things like that it really makes you look ignorant" in a nice tone. They get the message & it's not offensive.
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  • Awesome...it's good that if it bothers you that you say something.  I work with a girl that it drives her bonkers.  One of our co-workers says that stuff a lot.  She just complains to me about it.  I keep telling her to nicely say something, but nothing so far.

     

    I'm not sure I would, but I'm a big chicken.

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  • I also work as a Special Education teacher so I probably have increased sensitvity to the r-word. However, I have to say that I do not initially fault people when they use it because it has become very common derogratory slang and people do not usually use it to refer to the actual population of persons with mental disabilities. It is still a term medically used to identify persons with mental disabilities by many older adults and even doctors. I will eventually drop a hint or correct a person if they use it in excess just b/c I don't care for it.

    HOWEVER, if you dare to use it when talking about my class or an individual who clearly has a mental disability, I will be more than happy to rip you a new one.

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  • imageAMYfromKY:
    If it's a friend I tell them it rude...if it's a stranger I just give them the side-eye.

    This is exactly what I do. It's just mean, and who knows who they're saying it in front of. It can really upset and offend people.

  • imageDaisy582:

    I also work as a Special Education teacher so I probably have increased sensitvity to the r-word. However, I have to say that I do not initially fault people when they use it because it has become very common derogratory slang and people do not usually use it to refer to the actual population of persons with mental disabilities. It is still a term medically used to identify persons with mental disabilities by many older adults and even doctors. I will eventually drop a hint or correct a person if they use it in excess just b/c I don't care for it.

    HOWEVER, if you dare to use it when talking about my class or an individual who clearly has a mental disability, I will be more than happy to rip you a new one.

     

    YesYesYes 

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  • I didn't use to think anything of it, I grew up in a small area with not a whole lot of diversity, but my worlds gotten a lot bigger since then, and now it does bother me. At work (construction office) we all correct each other it seems like. I tell this guy when ever one slips out that's right over me, "that's not the right word" he always smiles and re phrases what he was saying.
  • imageAndreaR1983:

    I honestly am.  I know this is going to start crap, but here it goes...

     

    For those of you upset about the word retarded...if someone uses it in front of you in real life, do you correct them?  Same thing with gay, as someone pointed out.  If you do, do you do it every time?

     

    For my two cents...even though the words are not great words, there are far worse situations to use them than in the post below.

    The Hangover pronunciation is the best.

  • I am particularly sensitive to the word retarded.  Growing up my mom worked in a speical ed class and I would go see the kids whenever I could, they always had a special place in my heart.  Then in HS I dated a guy who's mom had a form of dwarfism and she also ran a special ed school.  Now that I'm married (to a different guy) I have a BIL with downs syndrome.  Like PP said, If it's someone I know I will correct them, but if it's a stranger I just give them a look.
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