Why is this acceptable for her to say this? Please tell me. If she were to say the word (and I'm going to type this because I feel it needs it's full affect, so forgive me) Nigger, no one would have laughed. Or fag, or whatever other slang people say that is offensive to certain groups of people. Oh Adrienne you've crossed the line comparing it to the "N" word. Have I? It's just as offensive to say the word RETARD or RETARDED even when using it as a slang term!! Get a clue! This word is hurtful! And I'm so sick of people saying it like it's nothing! It's time to stop saying it! Like, why couldn't she say the word stupid- I realize you have to say something to describe how you felt or whatever but to say "like a retard", really? Are you a child?? Can you not come up with a better word? I will not let up on this word. Please, stop saying it if you do say it, plain and simple!
when was this? it is hard to hear that word - i never liked it before we had whitney but it really makes me cringe even more now. i know people don't even realize it most times when they say it - it is just second nature to say it in place of the word "stupid" or the equivalent. i wonder if anyone has contacted jennifer aniston or her publicist about this? just curious... great post, adrienne!
ReplyDeleteYou are right. It is NOT acceptable, it is awful. Don't ever let up on this, & I'm glad you bring it to everyone's attention!
ReplyDeleteI don't think you've gone too far in comparing the "R" word & the "N" word. They are both equally offensive words...just to 2 different groups of people.
ReplyDeleteIt's going to take people, usually parents of special needs kids, to really keep banging away at people's perception of that word.
Great post!
I understand your feelings completely. I just don't understand why such a professional woman would taint herself by saying such a hurtful word. Ugh, I just hate hearing it and it makes me cringe...
ReplyDeleteYou go girl.....I got your back on this one!!!! I could not agree more....enough is enough!!!
ReplyDeleteIt's not acceptable, but it's clearly still out there because a hurtful word does not become unacceptable until all the world realizes how hurtful it can be. So it's up to us to make others aware of their ignorance by educating them. You have to speak up as Bennett's mom and a mother in general. So good job. You're not crossing any lines by any means. Here's a post I wrote a couple months back regarding this word being used in my work setting.
ReplyDeletehttp://waitingforhalleyscomet.blogspot.com/2010/06/spreading-word.html
I can't believe everyone laughed! I am totally with you, I don't understand why this is acceptable! It's degrading!
ReplyDeleteNot acceptable at all. Good post.
ReplyDeleteIt's not acceptable. I also cringe when I hear the word. However as a mother who has experienced the word you compared it too, I feel like I have to speak up and say they are not close to the same. So yes, Jennifer Aniston should make a public apology. But when I hear someone say retarded I cringe, and will give them a small lesson in what is and isn't acceptable. When someone uses the "n" word I know that I need to be ready to protect my daughter. Just a thought for you.
ReplyDeleteAndrea
ugh. i want to smack her silly.
ReplyDeletereally jennifer anniston? you too????
Ignorance. Great post!
ReplyDeleteI have been fighting this fight practically my WHOLE LIFE. In the third grade the "r" word practically became my nickname because people knew how much I hated it so they used it against me. Even today with my grown, supposed to be mature, adult friends I still have this problem. The woman who is babysitting my daughter says this and the thought of her saying it around my girl literally brings tears to my eyes. I think the biggest reason as to why this word is still around is because people think less of people with disabilities. I mean, think about it...it has been drilled into the minds of people in our society that other races and/or genders are equal to everyone else...but who ever says that about people with disabilities? They are not treated at equals...in our society they are looked at as substandard. It is sickening. I especially hate the excuse "oh well it just means stupid"...are you serious? Take that explanation and imagine using it for the "n" word...it would imply that black people are stupid...NO ONE WOULD DO THAT...so the question is why is it ok to be calling people with disabilities stupid? I think this is a great post...people need to start caring. Your boy is only lucky guy to have you for a momma. :)
ReplyDeleteI compeletly agree. I thought she had more class than this. And it really irks me at the end where everyone laughs...like she told a really funny joke or something. Why aren't more people up in arms about this??
ReplyDeleteI have NEVER liked that word. I cringe when I hear it. I agree with you 100%...stand your ground!
ReplyDeleteAll of those words you mention above are derogatory words spoken by uneducated people.
You should consider sending a letter to the show. I guarantee you wouldn't be the only one. If you want strength in numbers, I'll bet we can find a ton of people to sign it.
Just a comment to Andrea of Three Wise Menn.
ReplyDeleteWhen someone uses the "r" word, I know I need to be ready to protect MY son. They ARE close to the same, just being used as attacks against different populations of people. Both are words that may have originated with neutral meanings but over time have evolved into very hurtful and derogatory slurs.
There is not a time or place for any words like these. Overlooking the use of the "r" word as a less hurtful slur can be just as poisonous as passing it along as an okay word. Please consider that thought.
I totally agree. Though neither of my children have a "disability", I have an aunt that is mentally retarded,(i hate even calling it that) She has the mental capacity of a 5 year old. She is now 56 and she has taught me so much about compassion and respect for others. i hate even calling it that...When I saw this last night, I was disgusted. People need to think before they speak. Especially those on national TV!!!
ReplyDeleteI, like you, get very "passionate" about certain topics...
ReplyDeleteI commented last night, but woke up this morning thinking about this. I allowed my 7-year old to hear the video clip, and I asked him at the end what he thought was wrong. He said, "Uummmmmmmmm, she said a bad word Mom!" I asked him what the word was, and HE KNEW. It made me feel good knowing that he wouldn't use that word. It's never too early to start teaching!
My husband listened to this with me last night, and got "worked up" as well. He just called to tell me that on the way to work early this morning, a DJ on a local radio station here in Ft. Worth was venting about it. She said that she was outraged by this, and the people who called in were upset as well. It is getting lots of attention. My hope is that this attention translates to education for those who apparently don't "know better".
Have a good weekend, and enjoy those precious cubs - all three of them! :)
I was SO disappointed in her. And disgusted. Her usage wasn't even the usual careless adjective that people throw around. While that is still totally unacceptable, her usage of the word as a *noun* was reprehensible. In this, she created an *identity* to go along with the word, equating it with a person, rather than a vague idea. I seriously hope she comes out with a public apology and takes some steps to help make a change.
ReplyDeleteI was taught from a very young age to never use that word and it just baffles me that everyone wasn't?! It's hurtful and ignorant!
ReplyDeleteI hate this too. Really gets me, and the laughing too. But the good thing is that now there's discussion out there about it, and I doubt she will use it again, and hopefully many people will learn the lesson along with her.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you! However, the only problem I have with your comparing the word retard to the "n" word, is that retard has other meanings/uses that aren't offensive. The "n" word does not. Yes, the most common use for retard(n) is the offensive slang, but if she had maybe said "as if my development were retarded" (yeah who speaks like that), would you have been offended?
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