According to The ARC, “About 54 million
Americans – one out of every five individuals – have a disability. Their
contributions enrich our communities and society as they live, work and share
their lives.” Do you think about the
power your words have? Hopefully you will after today.
In 2005, when I was in sixth grade I
started volunteering over 4 hours a week in my middle school through our LINKS
program; as well with an organization called Friendship Circle. Through LINKS I
was paired with another sixth grader, who is Autistic. We would sit together
at lunch, talk about movies coming to theaters, his dog, his favorite world
record books and football. Together we would work on his social skills, in the lunchroom,
when he was without his one-on-one shadow for the half hour. LINKS allowed him
to be amongst his peers in a familiar environment. "Friendship Circle
is a non profit organization that provides programs and support to the
families of individuals with special needs. In addition to assisting
individuals with special needs, the Friendship Circle enriches its vast network
of volunteers by enabling them to reap the rewards of selfless giving."
Going on my ninth year with
volunteering through Friendship Circle and my rewarding time with kids and
adults with "special powers", I have dedicated over 1,000 hours of my
time to volunteer for various programs and events. Though being involved with Friendship
Circle, I learned about their campaign; Defeat the Label. "Defeat The
Label is an anti-bullying movement that works to promote an inclusive,
judgment-free society, void of social labels and stereotypes; a society where
all people are recognized not for their physical form, but for the superior,
equal and worthy soul within."
Though Defeat the Label I got the
opportunity to go on one of the local radio stations back at home, and talk
about bullying, inclusivity, and the campaign itself; encouraging listeners to
“Defeat the Label.”
Ellen Seidman author of the blog “LoveThat Max,” writes about her family, and her son Max, who has Cerebral Palsy. Just a few months ago, on November 5th she wrote the following as apart of one of
her blog posts: "If you're not sure what's wrong with the word
"retarded," I'll sum it up: For decades, "mental
retardation" was a medical diagnosis for people with cognitive impairment.
But as "retard" and "retarded" became slang for "stupid"
and "loser," medical experts and nonprofits started using
"intellectual disability" instead. The government has since removed
the term from federal health, labor and education laws, and the majority of the
states have passed similar legislation.”
Two years ago, Lady Gaga used the
R-word. When asking whether she plagiarized her song “Born this Way” from
Madonna’s “Express Yourself,” she responded with, “Why would I try to put out a
song and think I’m getting one over on everybody? That’s retarded.”
Shortly afterwards Lady Gaga issued an apology in a statement she provided to PerezHilton.com! Her statement said, “My apologies for not speaking
thoughtfully. To anyone that was hurt, please know that it was furiously unintentional.”
Just last year I was listening to a different
radio station back from home when I heard the shows' producer say
"I'm not retarded". I was extremely shocked and upset to hear that my
favorite radio station would use the “r-word.” I wrote an email to the station
explaining why the word is offensive and kindly requesting them not to use this
word. Much to my surprise I received a positive response email and
apology.
Individuals who have special needs are
kind, helpful and fun just like you and I. They don’t
deserve to be labeled as emphasized in this video.
The campaign Spread the Word to End the Word is a growing movement. I have taken the pledge along with
459,119 other people: I pledge and support the elimination of the derogatory
use of the r-word from everyday speech and promote the acceptance and inclusion
of people with intellectual disabilities. The campaign "asks people
to pledge to stop saying the R-word as a starting point toward creating more
accepting attitudes and communities for all people. Language affects
attitudes and attitudes affect actions. Pledge today to use respectful,
people-first language."
What is People-first language? Well people-first
language is an inclusive way of thinking and acknowledgement. People-first
language shows that first you acknowledge the individual; putting the
difference second.
A few weeks ago in the Huffington post, written
by Jamie Davis Smith, she wrote an article called: 5 Things You Should Know About Families Dealing with Disability.
When this article was posted by one of my friends on Facebook, it caught my
eye. One of the first things that I saw was: “We really, really dislike the
word retarded. Please stop using it. Now….
It is hurtful….” As I continued reading the author went on to say, “For those
of us with loved ones with cognitive disabilities, the use of the r-word turns
them into lesser beings not worthy of the same dignity and rights of those not
struggling with the same difficulties.” Many times people don’t think about the
meaning and all that is behind this word. Smith goes on to say, “…if we try to
explain it to you please listen to why it is not okay to use the r-word…” As my shirt expresses, there are MANY alternative words to use.
 |
| Shirt made by Alison Rowan |
Do you think about the power your words
have? I hope from reading this today, that it will encourage you to thank
about and change the way you speak. If you could please be careful with your
word choice next time it will be extremely beneficial to all. I challenge you
that next time you hear someone say the r-word, that you will persuade him
or her to change there vocabulary, just as I have done today. Let’s end
the R-word.
*I wrote this as apart of my public speaking course last semester. I edited it for my blog.
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