There are many days where I think the "r" word is simply extinct. But then out of nowhere, I hear it: "that's so r*tarded." Whether you're a stranger or a friend I will always correct you, and it's not because I'm rude. It's because people need to learn to remove the word from their vocabulary if they have not already.
The word is outdated and offensive. It literally is calling individuals with disabilities dumb or stupid and setting them aside from the rest of the human species. It excludes individuals with special needs and belittles them and their abilities. Every individual with special needs is intelligent, fun, beautiful, and offer a lot to the community and it is wrong to use such an offensive word directed towards individuals with special needs.
Even if you are not using the word to describe an individual with special needs, I will still ALWAYS correct you. Find a different word PLEASE. There really is no reason for anyone to still be using this derogatory word in the 21st century. Most people have been educated on not using the word, but still do so because they really don't see the big deal about it. However, it's time to change that because it is a big deal.
SPREAD THE WORD TO END THE WORD
