Dear Editor,
I often wonder if people realize the impact of using the word ‘retarded’. Do they realize how they could be hurting the person standing beside them when they use this word? I would think that in this day and time, with the way that people are about speaking politically correct, that this would be one word that is no longer used.
The definition of retarded is slow not “stupid”. There were/are many great people in history who were considered to be developmentally delayed. Without those people we would be without many inventions, music, stories and poems. Just because someone is developmentally delayed does not mean that they are not able to go out into society and be a productive member. Each and every person out there that has been labeled with developmental delay or mental handicap is someone’s family member. They are someone who is loved and cared for.
Next time that you are standing in line at the grocery store and you use the word retarded, stop and think. The woman standing in front you may have a son who is developmentally delayed. She may have just received some news about her child’s future and what is in store for him. How would you feel if you were standing in her shoes?
Thank you for your time,
Alison Allen
Mason, W.Va.
Just as you say, that someone in ear shot may be offended, we live in a day and age where everyone's offenses are changing the entire world. When I or someone else use the word "retarded", there may be no intention of offense, but to describe the situation as being "a mental stumbling block". I commonly refer to myself as retarded when I make a mental error. I am not trying to offend myself or others around me. Just as you are bothered at peoples use of specific words, I am just as bothered by people's sensitivity to being offended. When did people become so soft hearted? when did we become so sensitive to everything that is going on around you. I bet if you and others were not focused on what someone else was doing and didn't pay attention, you would have never considered being bothered or offended. People get so caught up in what others are doing. Everyone has the ability to offend one another, but each of us choose what to do with that offense. You can ignore it and move on, or complain about it to people who will never change. This is like saying, I am offended by people who get offended because they couldn't mind their own business. How silly. Humans will never be perfect!