End the Word Day

I'm a word-o-phile. I LOVE words.  I often use words that are too ostentatious for silly occasions.  I use such giant words, that I have automatically built into my own vocabulary a translator.  Like Dora the Explorer, I semi-repeat myself like a dictionary for my kids, and for those who didn't read Victorian novels for fun in 3rd grade.

When Ann Coulter decided to degrade herself, I posted, ranting about her refusal to utilize her expansive education.  Irritated that she would choose to offend those who were already hurting from society's slights and lack of inclusion and down right angry by her offensive refusal to apologize.  Her attempt to neuter the power of words was ludicrous.

Words have power.  Power to change.  Power to change minds.  Power to poison minds.

My irritation grows with every year.  The fact that folks refuse to remove the word "retarded" from their vocabulary, when they have so very many delicious words to choose from!?!!?

Today I find the irony that those that continue to use the word retarded actually are branding themselves with the same word.

Merriam-Webster defines Retarded as:  slow or limited in intellectual or emotional development or academic progress.

Do you really want to leap about today's world proclaiming your lack of emotional development?  Your personal stagnation of academic progress?  Do you REALLY want the world to see your diminishing compassion to those who are constantly having to fight for their rights as contributing members of society?  When the ultimate summation of your behavior is quite simply:  Bully.

And bully is defined as:  a blustering browbeating person; especially: one habitually cruel to others who are weaker

 

Is that how you see yourself?  If not, go out and buy a thesaurus.  Grow some dendrites.  Become a better person.  Support those who need you.  Don't suffocate your ability to grow.  Refuse to continue to poison society.  Heal.  Support.  Grow.  Quite simply, quit being stupid.

Last year's post is HERE, with links to other thoughts...

Today's the Day. Think about it.

Today's the official day of "Spread the Word to End the Word."  You can read more about the movement here.
http://www.r-word.org/

I've posted how the word retardation actually comforted me in a odd way back at the beginning of our path with Elise, which you can read HERE.  And HERE are my thoughts last year.

I am afraid that I am yet more saddened by it's use this year....and more wistful in my plea.  I don't know if it will ever truly make me angry or cause me to get up in someone's face...although I have already been driven to calling out people in ways I never thought I would, due, in some manner, to Elise.

But this year, I am asking that you reconsider the ramifications of throwing the word "Retarded" around.

My daughter is not like yours.  My battles are not like yours.  My worries have taken on a life of their own. 

My nightmares are more simple now.  That my daughter will be taken advantage of.  That she will not be allowed to hold a job.  That all of the push toward euthanasia will include her.  That if we turn to more socialized healthcare, that her "quality of life" will be in question.  That she will never talk clearly enough to be understood.  That she will never be able to express her needs and wants.  That her physical limitations will prevent her from having fun experiences with the rest of the family.

When you allow the word retarded to roll off of your tongue, you trivialize all of Elise's struggles, all my fears, and you make me question our future.

Please remove the word "Retarded" from your vocabulary.  Please remove it from your children's.  Please protect my child from exclusion, please protect her future.  Please don't allow your immature vocabulary from your middle school years to wreak havoc on my child's and my present.

Thank you.