*Trigger warning- use of the N-word and R-word
Before the 1600’s there was a word to describe a certain group of people. The word was simply a descriptor. This word was reserved for people whose skin contained more melanin, a pigment that darkens the color of the skin. This word is negro.
Over the course of the 17th century, the word negro evolved into the word nigger (which from this point on, out of respect, will be the n-word). At this point, the word was still a descriptor. There was no meaning attached to it outside of referring to people with black skin. However, when the slave trade started to occur, the word gained a horrible meaning. This word was used as slang to describe someone who is lazy, unintelligent, and less than. This word implied that all people who are black were lazy, unintelligent, and less than.
This is why people take offense to this word. Rightfully so.
Most people do not question why the n-word is problematic. Most people refrain from using it. The exception is some people who are black use it within their community. That is okay because they are culturally reclaiming the word. It has no use outside of that community though.
However, if you hang out around people long enough, you will hear phrases like “I’m a retard” or “I can’t believe you did that, you’re so retarded.” Not one eye will be bat at the sound of that phrase. Generally, unless someone in the crowd works with or is related to a person with a disability, no one seems to care.
I am here to call this out.
The word r-word has a history similar to the n-word. The word was founded in the 1400’s as a word to describe people who had a cognitive, intellectual, or developmental disability. It was a medical diagnosis. It was used to describe people so that they would have the diagnosis to receive services.
Overtime though, the word has devolved into something much more horrific. It now means a person who is stupid or incapable to learning. It can be used to mean to do something without thought.
It has become a slang word that is used to hurt other people. It implies that people with intellectual, developmental, and/or cognitive disabilities are stupid, incapable of learning, or do things without thought.
Many people of a variety of disabilities have been called by this atrocious word. People who are bullied are called by this word to hurt.
I don’t buy the whole “But I’m joking when I say it” or “Well, I didn’t mean it like that.” No. If you cannot find a better word in the entire English lexicon to describe what you are trying to convey besides a derogatory term, then buy a dictionary.
I also don’t buy the “Doctors still use it” or “it’s a medical term, I can use it.” Sure, if you have a medical doctorate and want to use the word for its prescribed medical meaning, then by all means, go ahead. Otherwise, find another word.
As a person with a developmental disability, I find the r-word very offensive. I find it offensive because I am not stupid, incapable of learning, or do things without thought. In fact, if you spend any time with me (or anyone else with an intellectual/developmental/cognitive disability), you will soon find out that I am in fact intelligent. You will find out that I put a lot of thought into everything I do. You will find out that I am capable of learning much. If I was not, I would not be in college. If I was not, I would not hold the full time job I do. If I was not, I would not make the smart choices I do.
The time is here and has been for a long time for this word to go. I have heard it used within my family, within my friends, within my church, within my school, and within my community time and time again. It enrages me. I do not find it funny. I do not and will not tolerate it.
If we as a community, as a nation, can come together and abolish the negative use of the n-word, then we can do so with the r-word. Join me, and remove this word from your vocabulary. Together we can change the world, one word at a time.