Discussion: The ‘R’ Word Versus The ‘I’ Word And The ‘M’ Word
@funkyfairy22 asked me an interesting question today. It got me thinking, and I thought it was worth bringing up here.
She had had a comment at her blog asking why she found ‘the “r” word’ more offensive than words like idiot, moron, etc. So, she asked me if I had any ideas why DisAbled people find the ‘r’ word more offensive than other similar words.
I suggested that the reason could be that the ‘r’ word has an old association with ‘mental retardation’ meaning a lack of intelligence. Words like ‘idiot’ and ‘moron’ don’t have that association as far as I know, so they are more ‘light’ and ‘playful.’
So, readers, what do you think? Am I right? Am I wrong? Can you think of any other reasons why the ‘r’ word is the worst of its kind? Comments welcome, as always.
Same Difference 
You weren’t the only person I asked. @dontpaymeplayme suggested that I should ask the person why they find the N word offensive. She also said that 750 mencap members have given their stories of abuse with that word.
I do plan to write a response on my own blog (as obviously the question was asked there) but I think I was asking people how they would answer because to me it’s kind of obvious. Which doesn’t mean the person asking is in the wrong, it means I am because I’m clearly missing a huge part of explaining the problems with it and making my point. Not the sign of a good writer!
Plus I also think it’s important to get others opinions in things like this then people get a wider view of the potential hurt that can be caused by terms like the R word.
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I think you are right here. I feel the same way about the use of ‘spastic’.
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Actually, I think words like idiot do have a similar history – for example idiot meant having an IQ of 0-25. According to wikipedia, “until 2007, the California Penal Code Section 26 stated that “Idiots” were one of six types of people who are not capable of committing crimes.”
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