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Why do people get offended by the word "retard?"?
It's been a very long time since political/social correctness allowed a mentally disabled person to be referred to as "retarded." Who exactly are people sticking up for by being offended?
I get that many people have loved ones that are mentally disabled, but the word "retarded" doesn't apply to them anymore. By getting offended they are, essentially, labeling their mentally disabled loved ones as retards, albeit unintentionally.
Modern usage of this word doesn't pertain to mentally disabled people. In fact, it more closely fits its original definition: to make slow; delay the development or progress of (an action, process, etc.); hinder or impede.
If my retarded browser won't load, it is hindering my ability to access the internet. If the retard in the car in front of me is texting while driving, it could impede my survival. If there is a retarded mob of people standing in the street, they are hindering my progress through said street.
If there is no set group of people left for this word to pertain to, why is it so offensive?
Yes, I use it all the time, but never once in reference to a mentally disabled person. I'm talking about the people who get offended by it on behalf of the mentally disabled, as if it applies to them...
5 Answers
- 1 decade agoFavorite Answer
It's the same as you would say :" You are stupid. " Even so you are not . Or when people call you dumb for examble and your are not. Retard is a very negative name. So is Jerk or Dumb blond. People who are disabeled facing many challenges. However, retard is not a nice name in any means. Disability can happen to every one even to you. so when you communicate about individuals or people that you meet, always have in your mind :"How would I like to be treated?" Hence, then do the same thing, be nice , be kind . Disabled people are not retarded. They just have a handicap. That can happen to anybody. An accident can happen and how would some one feel , if they were called this word?
- cowsertLv 45 years ago
It would not offend me individually, because of the fact i'm no longer retarded and don't individually understand absolutely everyone it particularly is. With that being stated, I in no way use the be conscious "retarded" to describe something i do in contrast to. i think of that's a degrading be conscious if this is utilized in a degrading experience. once you're conversing approximately psychological ailment, retard is particularly suited. it particularly is the definition of the be conscious inspite of each thing!
- ?Lv 71 decade ago
beacuse it is used socialyl as an insult
to retard soemthing, isnt an insult, its jsut an expression of somethign not workign, hindering, stopping, but WE socialyl use it in a more insulting way against people
- Anonymous1 decade ago
because at one point it was meant as mentally handicapped.
Just because a law was passed doesn't mean it's OK now.
It was hurtful then, and people still use it today in hurtful ways, in fact you yourself used the word retarded in a negative and insulting way in one of your own older posts.
If you mean thing to be insulting, then of course people will be offended.
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- 1 decade ago
If it is used in a negative manner of course it is going to be hurtful... It's Just a nasty thing to say
