I'm guilty of this, though refering to something idiotic and stupid whereas from what I've seen of the usage of the word gay or homo is being used for something they don't like.
I will try to refrain from using this word from today on, out of respect and as a courtesy to adeelsiddiqui and his relatives.
Good for you. Whether the word is offensive to us as individuals is not what is important; the word is offensive to people with intellectual disabilities and their families. It isn't offensive to me personally, but out of respect for those individuals that it does offend I am learning to stop. Even the term MR is used throughout many handbooks in the health and human services fields. We're slowly correcting language to better respect our clients. Edit: I see a lot of people using the context excuse as a dodge. Face it, we all know the offensive context of the word. No one is advocating that the word r****ded in and of itself is offensive. It's how it is used as a pejorative that is offensive.
Cute post. Just today I was discussing intramural basketball refs (an entire debate all unto itself), and used the word "r****ded" a few times. Is it offensive? In certain situations absolutely. Generally, no. I need to do better about not using it, anyways. Is it really a big deal that requires some vigilante to chew me out for it, like the OP? No. Without knowing each other we would immediately have very low opinions of one another and create some contention that isn't necessary. On a sidebar, I'm confused how many Americans think we're being edgy and progressive by welcoming "fu*k" and "sh**" into common vocabulary, yet we cringe and run in circles when anyone who says "gay" or "r****ded". A curious society.
It SEEMS, going off of info presented this thread and seeing what goes on in the world, whatever term used to describe the clinically mentally challenged, people will discover that term and introduce it into their language to use as a disparaging term. Also what about people who through REAL mental disease they can't help, they're psychotic, crazy, delusional? Is it only bad when the mentally challenged person commits dangerous immoral acts out the condition? We'll describe anyone as a "loon". Though I guess thats more psychosis blamed on environmental factors that "led" people to the condition, rather than being born with it. Then what about things like Alzheimer's? When the person has lived their life already, I guess they're open game. Or when it CAN actually happen to us and we consciously fear it, we're more humbled and understanding.
I call that the "opposite day approach", just my own pseudo-intellectual term to myself, where it seems like everything that existed as a social norm before 1960 was "backwards" and "old world", so now its about reversing it cuz we're in a "new age". Liberation for the sake of liberation, cuz it looks good on your social profile to "believe in something", or other. Looking at it closer, I see it as "fu*k" and "sh**" are words that arent directed at anything in particular, just expressions of mood or to describe anything thats unwanted. Whereas "gay" and "r****d" are actually real people with real feelings you're intentionally using as undesirable substandard people. If something pisses you off, like losing your wallet you'd say "FUUUuuuuu..." But if you lost your lost wallet and said out loud "f*****...." or "Ah, Muslim!", thatd seem a little specifically pointed.
Lol. I guess I didn't read it within your overall mindset. My apologies for inadvertently ascribing some sort of redeeming quality to you.
Americans get so hypersensative about being PC one way or another. Being PC is just a another way of treating people how you want to be treated ...but for those of you incapable of putting yourself in someone else's shoes. Those of you that do have some compassion for others don't need to be PC because it is common sense for you.
