The "R" Word

     There are many words in every language that are used in ways to offend certain people. The word "retarded" is one of those words. Teens use this word as a synonym for stupid when they see their friends doing something that they believe wasn't very smart. I have been in a Catholic School for my entire life and I cannot remember a single day where I didn't hear someone use this term. I find this odd, because Catholic teachings say to treat others as you want to be treated. In this case, unless you want to end up with people calling you names, stop the use of this harsh language.

     St. Mark Elementary School in Cleveland, Ohio began a movement to "Spread the Word to End the Word". Over four hundred people gathered to take the pledge to end the word. This school emphasized that a catholic education is not just for "typical kids, but for all children who are willing to learn. A young girl named Brianna attends this school. She is a kindergartener with Down Syndrome and an absolute joy for her teacher. This little girl has changed this schools "R" word to respect.

Another account explains that the original use of the word was to only describe specific conditions in the brain. Our ever-changing speech however has made it a term to describe any particular annoyance in our everyday lives. Obviously this is a grossly inappropriate use of the word and it needs to be taken care of. The writer explains that it has become human nature to judge anything that we may not understand. I believe that one will encounter this mostly within high school. 

Another school, located in Rhode Island, took up the movement to Spread the Word to End the Word. The school held an assembly in which everyone learned about the cause of this movement. When all the kids where asked if they had ever heard the "R" word before, a young girl and her friend rose their hands ashamed because they knew that they had used it before, even though they had regretted it. She realized the hurtfulness of this word and has now vowed to never use it again.

In another account, a mother explains how she has to hear the use of the R word in work. This woman is the mother of a special needs child and is therefore, as she explained, "very sensitive to the word". She expects to hear it from ignorant teenagers who probably were never taught better, but she cannot even go to work without having to sit through others conversations which include this foul word.

Racism In America Today

     "Throughout American history black males have been seen as a threat even when they are unarmed and even when wearing attire that was professional. Still, Tragic events such as the death of 14-year old Emmett Till because white men assumed he whistled at a white woman. Causing these citizens to feel that they had the “right” to brutally torture and kill Emmett Till. Still in 2012 you have young black men seen as guilty criminals first. A stereotype that should have died but has been with held to this day. These young black men are not threats but simply just minding their own business, living their own life till a stranger assumes differently and takes matters into their own hands."

- Kelly J Newson

 

     In the past year, America viewed, through media coverage, the deaths of two innocent 17 year old teenagers named Trayvon Martin and Jordan Davis. These are just two of the countless examples of racist murders in the United States. One of the most tragic and recent is the murder of 14 year old Emmett Till. Each has their own unique story and each is a life wastefully thrown away because of needless hate. We will never know what they could have done in the world because of the reckless actions of a few. These boys could have changed the world, solved world hunger, found a cure for some disease, any number of things. All they will be known for now, saddly, is their tragic deaths.

 

Emmett Till

 

     Emmett Loius Till was only 14 years old when his life was cut tragically short for "whistling at a white woman". Before moving on, take a minute to think about that. This young boy was kidnapped from his own relatives home, brutally tortured, and murdered because he whistled once at a white woman. Just the thought of someone possibly going to that extent because of a little innocent flirting makes me sick to my stomach. Even more so for the murderers to have the nerve to deny any involvement and nonchalantly go on with their lives. His remains were found in the Tallahatchie River. Justice was never found for this case. To this day, no one has been convicted for anything in terms of his murder.

 

Trayvon Martin

 

     Trayvon Martin was unjustly shot and killed on February 26th, 2012. This young man was minding his own business having just bought himself a few snacks from 7/11 while his killer George Zimmerman decided for himself that Trayvon Martin looked suspicious and was going to or already committed some crime. Zimmerman called the police and reported Trayvon's suspicious activity, but then after being told not to follow the young man, Zimmerman for some unknown reason decided that it was HIS responsibility to deal with the situation the way he saw fit and took matters into his own hands. He fatally shot Trayvon in the chest at point blank range. George Zimmerman awaits his trial which takes place on June 10th, 2013.

Jordan Davis

 

     Jordan Davis, a young man who only lived to be 17 years of age, was shot and killed at a public gas station for playing his music to loudly. The murderer Michael David Dunn tried to convince that the killing was an act of self defense. It's laughable at how he thought that would ever hold up because it was discovered that Jordan and his friends had no gun in their possession and there were a total of 9 shots fired by Mr. Dunn. 9 shots seems like a bit much to be in self defense. 9 shots on innocent teenagers is overkill and clearly there was full intent to kill, not defend. It's disturbing to think that African American teenagers can't even play loud music without being threatened or assulted by others. What is this country coming to?