Using the R-Word

What is the R-word? 

The R-word is Retard. 

Ann Coulter, an author and political commentator, tweeted this during Monday's presidential debate.

I'm not sure how she meant to use the word "retard" but however she meant it, she should have not have used it. 

Special Olympics athlete and global messenger John Franklin Stephens wrote an open letter to Coulter describing how he felt when she, someone in the global eye, used an offensive word. Link to the Letter

Stephens mentions how Coulter "assumed that people would understand and accept that being linked to someone like [him] is an insult and [she] assumed [she] could get away with it and still appear on TV."

Furthermore, he adds how Coulter "and society, need to learn that being compared to people like [him] should be considered a badge of honor."

I agree with Stephens. Using the word "retard" or "retarded" is a very offensive word to those with down syndrome and other disabilities. Its like someone calling a girl a "slut," "stupid," "gay" or a "whore." No one wants to be called those names and neither do the people with disabilities. The only difference between people like us and people with Down Syndrome is that they comprehend things as a slower pace. Other than that, they are like any one of us. 

I am really hoping to see an apology from Ms. Coulter to the Down Syndrome Community. She had no right to offend a huge community just to offend a political figure. She should have chosen her words carefully and realized that her words have actions. 

Latinitas, stop using hurtful words because you might be offending a completely different set of people. Choose your words carefully and do not stoop to Ms. Coulter's level. 

Just like Stephens said, "No one overcomes more than [they] do and still loves life so much."