I have been called a "retard" and a "spaz" more times than I could count in my life. The term doesn't just apply to people who are "developmentally challenged" or whatever the current politically correct term is, it applies to anyone who does something stupid. I guess the next step is to demonize anyone who says someone is "stupid" or "idiotic".
I HATE political correctness more than I could ever HATE being called a retard.
In ten years it will be verboten to call someone "developmentally challenged" because that is going to be the new derogatory term to call someone who does something retarded.
You've been suckered into the politically correct message. Get over it. Kids call kids names all the time. That is just part of life. If they can't use one term, they will use another and pretty soon that term will be banned by the politically correct do gooders who have destroyed our language.
...and this is absolutely NOT about political correctness, but rather about human dignity and refraining from using someone else's disability as a means of insulting people.
"I HATE political correctness more than I could ever HATE being called a retard." Now that's because you are probably NOT retarded, nor do you have a loved one who is. At least I am assuming you're not retarded (sometimes it is hard to know).
Retard used to mean someone who was retarded, and now it has become an insult. Think about it.
"...the politically correct do gooders who have destroyed our language." Please don't get me started on how our language has been destroyed. I'll give you a big hint-----it's not political correctness that has destroyed our language bigtime. Unfortunately, people have limited their own vocabulary.
I've probably given you too much to think about at one time. Sorry.
the fact you are called a “retard” is not the point. You arent one, and i suspect that the person who called you that knows it very well. The person could call you an idiot or effin moron and incur no PC issues.
the problem is that “retard” is a slang, dismissive term for retarded person and it uses such an innocent person as a prop; it dehumanizes them and they are innocent, probably closer to God than most anyone on FR. “The first shall be last and the last first”, no?
use the term if you feel it is that important but if you want to make inroads with people whom you want to influence on important issues of the day, you might consider backing off if it