Photo provided by Photobucket
A few posts ago I wrote about a ridiculous meme I found on Pinterest where someone described themselves as clapping like a retarded seal. I found the whole thing to be utterly offensive and I was really surprised that grown up men and women would use such a horrible word so indiscriminately. So many of my readers told me they NEVER hear the word retarded any more, which was wonderful, but not my personal experience.
Then the other night, as I was catching up on shows I DVR’d I heard it again. Right in the middle of a Glee episode. Finn, while telling Sue Sylvester off, uses the word retarded to describe Sue’s baby who was born with Down Syndrome. Of course Sue takes the blow and Finn realizes what he said crossed the line, but there that word was again. Out there, in the air waves.
Glee has a tendency to take on controversial topics and show the human side to what many like to think are black and white issues. Glee often shows that they are anything but black and white, and introduces a whole rainbow of colors. So although I despise the word Retarded I am interested in where this goes; where the writers will take this story line. Of course Glee has already written about two other characters with Down Syndrome including Sue’s own sister and Becky, a student and Cheerio.
Maybe this is the kind of exposure the word needs to show just how horrible and undignified that word really is.
I don’t like that word. I was a middle school teacher and as you can imagine, it was thrown around a lot..
A Time Out for Mommy- Elaina recently posted..Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey & Donald Have a Farm (Giveaway)
I hate when that word is used too!
Lisa recently posted..Wednesday’s Hero
I hope they handle it sensitively and with a positive message to be taken from it.
Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell recently posted..Holiday Nut Crescents + #PasturePerfect Giveaway
I agree with Liz. I hope it’s handled in a way that doesn’t offend others.
Crystal @ Simply Being Mommy recently posted..Breakfast for One Million Children
Unfortunately, I hear it far too often, and from people who I would think should know better.
Sheri recently posted..The Art of Animation Resort at Disney World
Since you first posted about this a few weeks ago, I’ve been very attentive to the word. I’m happy that I have not heard it once. I think I would die just a little if any of my kids mentioned it.
Jennifer The Quirky Momma recently posted..Thankful Thursday – 12/13/12
I thought about your post about the seal when I saw that on Glee. I really think that many just don’t understand that “retarded” is no longer the term used to describe mental handicaps. I hope the show helps show people that it’s a mean word!
Jenn @therebelchick recently posted..My Easy Oreo Cookie Bark Recipe
While these days the word is used in an insulting manner, the word itself doesn’t really bother me.
Developmentally delayed vs. Retarded development mean exactly the same thing… it is how the is said that is the problem. For that reason, someone would be in for a razor tongue lashing if they used it on my child.
Mom Foodie recently posted..Gingerbread Cake Roll
Ohhh how I hate that word.
Courtney recently posted..Baby’s First Christmas with Personal Creations
I hate that word.
I find that word unbelievably offensive.
Kathy recently posted..Personal Creations – Personalized Gifts for the Holidays
I’m glad that there was a popular show in the media to help people understand that it is not a accepted word.
Kelly @ A Girl Worth Saving recently posted..Paleo Menu: Christmas Cocktails
I don’t say the word retarded. I would hope a show such as Glee that brings issues such as Downs Syndrome into the spotlight wouldn’t pollute that by using a word like retarded.
Kelly @ Texas Type A Mom recently posted..Make Restaurant Quality Salads at Home #BYOL
I try very hard to not use the word. I hope it’s done tastefully on Glee.
Billie recently posted..Billie’s Brain – Numb
As someone who has spent a lot of time in elementary schools, both as an educator and as a volunteer, I feel like one thing our generation has done really well is to teach our children that that is NOT an okay word to use. I hardly ever hear kids use it. Now their parents…that’s a different story.
Maureen @ Wisconsin Mommy recently posted..Family Den Helps You Run Your Family (plus a Giveaway!)
I sure hope that people, especially teens, take heed to the hurt behind that word.
Marcie W. recently posted..Obviously Holiday – Let Novica’s Artisan Powered Gift Finder Guide You + Giveaway (12/27)