There are many ways that words can be used in our society. Words can be powerful. They can change lives and societies. But importantly, words can be used out of its original context in ways that can offend or hurt people. Words hold weight in ways that many people cannot imagine. In today’s society many people call each other names using words without knowing its true meaning and how a word evolved to its so called “new meaning”. The word I decided to focus on is used commonly in our society and is offensive to many: retard. The word ‘Retard’ is used to mean relatively slow in mental, emotional or physical development. This word appeared first in Middle English in 1400 (dictionary.com).
What is interesting about the use of the word retard or retarded is that it commonly used in society and has in some cases has sadly become a norm attached within many individuals speech. The frustration of having to take a test or gossiping about people usually has this word attached with it out of context, which is pointless and offensive. The fact that this is said regularly toward and amongst individuals brings my attention to Labeling Theory. According to Howard Becker he says “The deviant is one to whom that label is successfully been applied; deviant behavior is behavior that people so label”. If a person acts or says something in a certain way that is opposing to another person’s view, they can be labeled. A person who is most likely to use the phrase ‘retard’ or ‘retarded’ is someone who is ignorant and thoughtless to those who have mental and physical disabilities. The underling construction of the word retarded is that people are mentally slow and incapable of doing something that others are able to do. The word is in many ways compared to being called stupid because it also gives the label that one is incapable or lacks in something.
The community that is impacted by this “r word” is those who are "considered" mentally and physically challenged. Being called retarded is also similar to the phrase “That’s gay”. Another theory that comes to mind in relation to this issue is the Shaming Theory. A person can be perceived as deviant because of an act or behavior, which is tied into stigmatization. John Braithwaite mentions that shaming means all social processes of expressing disapproval that has the effect of provoking remorse in the individual being condemned by others who become aware of the shaming (34). Many people view this community as “retarded” and “stupid” automatically when that is not the case. In Steven Taylors "You're Not A Retard, You're Just Wise" he dicusses his study of the Dukes and how they have been labeled as disabled. But the Dukes do not attach the same meanings of disability labels found in society. In the clip below it shows how offensive words can be and how we need to be careful of the words we choose to use when speaking to or around other people. The members of the relevant community show that this word needs to stop being used.
I personally have grown to understand that being called retarded” or retard is not acceptable to this community, even though society may view them that way. I have a relative who is a part of this community. I can say he fits in just fine with society without a needing label. The norms that are socially constructed in this country have made individuals think ignorant, selfish and careless. That way of thinking does not make issues better. A message Wanda Sykes brings attention to in the clip below relates to this issue also, though it is another phrase commonly used. Not realizing what we say is insulting to others. Case and point, phrases like “That’s so retarded” or “What a retard” are phrases that hurt people’s feelings. We all need to watch are words.
Word Count: 618
Work Cited
-Becker, Howard S. Labeling Theory. Chapter 7. Readings in Deviant Behavior. Calhoun, Conyers and Thio. 2010. Pearson Education Inc. Boston, MA.
-Braithwaite, John. Shaming Theory. Chapter 6. Readings in Deviant Behavior. Calhoun, Conyers and Thio. 2010. Pearson Education Inc. Boston, MA.
-Taylor, Steven J. "You're Not A Retard, You're Just Wise". Chapter 26. Readings in Deviant Behavior. Calhoun, Conyers and Thio. 2010. Pearson Education Inc. Boston, MA.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/retardation
Awesome.
ReplyDeleteI think you did a nice job at explaining the concepts of the "r" word and why it is important people stop using that word. As you pointed out from the article by Steven Taylor, "You're not a Retard, You're just wise," the Duke family does not consider themselves to be disabled because they are surrounded by a positive community of people who speak to them with respect and appreciation. It is important, as you noted, that with our knowledge we stand up and lend a helping hand to spread the word to NOT use the words that are offensive to other communities. The video clips you used were also very insightful as to demonstrate why we should watch what we say; even casual conversation has the tendency to bring up words we wouldn't normally use. Thanks for the !!$#$**&@# blog post.
Amber Johnstun
I enjoyed the post but I would have liked to have seen more background of the word. The way a word evolves throughout time can give us context on how it came to be used as a slur today. According to he the Oxford dictionary, as far back as 1489, the word meant to keep back, hinder, or impede. It makes sense that the word was later used to apply to mentally handicapped people since we perceive them to be lacking and lesser than people with normal cognitive abilities.
ReplyDeleteIt's also important to remember that the word retard "does not necessarily refer to intellectual deficits" (Taylor, 2000). People can even call themselves retarded for making silly mistakes. However, I would agree that the propagation of the word, since even using it at yourself in context with 'mentally deficient behaviors' helps further alienate people with mental handicaps.
Taylor, Steven J. "You're Not A Retard, You're Just Wise". Chapter 26. Readings in Deviant Behavior. Calhoun, Conyers and Thio. 2010. Pearson Education Inc. Boston, MA.