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.