Change the Conversation: Don't Use the R-word

 

What is the "R-word" Campaign?
The "R-word" campaign is an initiative being spearheaded by Special Olympics to eliminate the word "retard," when used as a derogatory term, from everyday language, as well as in film , television and music. We view the R-word as dehumanizing hate speech that further perpetuates negative stereotypes about people with intellectual disability. Unfortunately, it has become common place in our vernacular for people to casually and callously use this term.

Have you ever done something silly or embarrassing and had a friend or colleague say "that's so retarded" or "you're so retarded"? There is a very real disconnect for countless people between using this term, which is rooted in making unfair and often unwarranted comparisons to people with intellectual disabilities, and their opinions towards our population. They would never dream of openly mocking a person with intellectual disability: that's cruel and they would tell you so. But they don't give a second thought to saying "that's so retarded."

Whenever it's used, the R-word demeans the more than three percent of people around the world who have intellectual disabilities.

It's not funny. It's not cool. No matter how you use it. Play a part in changing the conversation: don't use the R-word.

 

With your help, we will:

- Communicate the hurt caused by using the R-word and show the media and the public the people affected by hate speech.

- Change negative perceptions of people with intellectual disabilities by portraying athletes as capable people who are personable, varied and fun; not people to be pitied, mocked or viewed in a negative, one-sided stereotyped way.

- Make it socially unacceptable to use the term retard or similar derogatory terms, whether in jest or not.

- Increase awareness and further educate the public about Special Olympics and the abilities of our athletes.

- Show how Special Olympics changes the attitudes and lives of people with and without disabilities. Your voice, your actions and your support matter! They matter to the 200 million people around the world who have intellectual disabilities and fight for acceptance, equality and inclusion every day.

What You Can Do

  

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Some people will argue that retard is a word that can be found in the dictionary and there is freedom of speech issue at stake. What do you say to them?
A. It is not the word that we object to. It is the use of the word in todayÂ’s culture in a demeaning and negative way. As to free speech, we have successfully over the years been able to make it socially and politically incorrect to use other forms of hate speech. It is time to make the pejorative use of the R-word equally unacceptable.

Q. What should should people who disapprove of this type of hateful language do?
A. They should go to www.r-word.org and become part of a community to promote inclusion and acceptance of people with intellectual disabilities by eliminating the pejorative use of the R-word.

Q. What is the “R-word” campaign all about?
A. The “R-word” campaign is an initiative being spearheaded by Special Olympics to eliminate the pejorative use of the word “retard” from everyday language, as well as in film and music. We view the R-word as derogatory hate speech that further perpetuates negative stereotypes and dehumanizes people with intellectual disability. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 3% of the world’s population has intellectual disabilities. Most of those people are functioning, contributing members to society who warrant the same respect that we afford our friends and neighbors.

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