Let me start off by saying I know I can not control what you say. That right is given to you in the first amendment of the Bill of Rights. What I can do, however, is tell you why you need to stop using derogatory insults, casually or with intent to hurt.

Racial slurs, sexuality terms, insulting names directed towards people with special needs, and any feminine gendered word that implies being weak are all themes that seem to be very common in today's conversations. I’m not going to include the words, because I do not allow any of them in my vocabulary, but I’m sure you can think of a few.

When used to the person they are based on, the insults in these themes shame a person for characteristics that they cannot change. He might accept his life, but do you think that little boy asked to be born with learning disabilities? And the little girl with the beautiful brown curls, did she wish to be born into a race that gets abused just for the pigment of its skin? Insulting people based on things they physically cannot change is not just rude of you, but it makes them feel like their lives are not of value and that they are not accepted.

When you describe something that you do not like by using the G or R words, you are simultaneously implying that you do not like the group of people the insult is associated with. When you call your buddy the word used for female genitalia just because he won’t do something reckless, you are indirectly saying women are weak or wimpish. And when you use the C word towards a woman, you are simply a massive jerk.

Taking the end of the word and adding it to profanity does not make things any better. There are so many other adjectives that could be used to describe things you do not like. So, please, next time you feel the need to verbally show your disapproval of something, go for words like dumb or pointless. Maybe don’t even say anything at all, because everything deserves a chance at acceptance and chances are you didn’t give one before you jumped right to insulting it. The words you are throwing around so casually are hurtful to not only the victims of your bullying, but everyone they are close to as well. It pains us advocates of these groups to hear our friends and loved ones being so disrespected.

If you are someone who does not use derogatory insults, I express a multitude of gratitude and ask just one thing of you. When you hear the people around you using these words, do not just be a bystander. Let the person know that what he or she is saying is wrong and hurtful.