there is so much discourse on the n word on the internet, particularly lately but i’ve never seen anyone discuss how offensive the word retard can be, because it is- it’s a word that puts people with any form of mental disability down and make them feel less.

and the word has become so causal that (aside from some lovely close friends) any time i try to break ground with anyone regarding even just impersonal and general use of the word, i’ve lost the conversation before i’ve even started.

personally, i’ve grown up with a very different meaning of the word. i watched people use it to try and tear down the kindest and sweetest person i will ever know just because she was born with down syndrome, something completely out of her control and i can’t ever forget that.

i’m not looking to go on a witch-hunt for those who use the word excessively. i merely want to start a conversion and maybe provide people with a perspective they’ve never experienced before.

i’ve found the difference between the debate of the n word and r word is, with the r word, the people who the word belittles and hurts aren’t always necessarily able to defend themselves, their opinions or how they feel like a non-disabled person could and it’s not fair.