As I read through the constant bickering and name calling in the comment section of various articles I am absolutely dumbfounded that people are continuously using the derogatory word retard/retarded and libtard. If someone were to use the n-word in one of their comments it would be immediately removed. Why do we not do the same when someone uses the r-word? Just as the n-word is offensive to different minority groups because the use of the word implies that they are less than human and do not deserve the same rights and equalities enjoyed by others, the r-word is just as offensive. Its use implies that individuals with cognitive disabilities are somehow less human than others.
We have a large population of adults with various disabilities in our community. Many of them are hard working individuals that serve your food, bag your groceries, bring your carts inside on bad weather days, clean your hotel rooms, and offer a smile while doing them. It is time that we stop dehumanizing them by using such a terrible word to put others down.
Snowflake? Fine. Right wingnut or Left wingnut? Whatever. If you don't have enough respect for yourself and others that you need to resort to name-calling, at least use names aren't demeaning to a group of individuals that have done nothing to deserve it.
Brian Reynolds
Coordinator of the Insight Program
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