My Photo
Buy Your Copy Now!

Rights and Stats

Blog powered by Typepad
Member since 12/2003

« Large Network of Private Schools Pays $215,000 to Settle Lawsuit Alleging Discrimination Against Children with Disabilities | Main | Morton's Demon: It Explains So Much »

Wednesday, March 07, 2012


TrackBack URL for this entry:

Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Today: Spread the Word To End The Word:



I'm not sure we should give one word such power. The problem is not the word but society's interpretation of the meaning and their misuse of the word. The problem is a lesser standard of care and education and respect awarded to those labeled "retarded." For families struggling to understand the overall prognosis for various genetic conditions: retarded can be less confusing than cognitive disability. I've often wondered how folks embrace the word autism but cringe at mentally retarded. Actions speak louder than words. How we treat retarded people is far more important than what we call them.


Dr som, I agree that actions speak louder than words, but words do matter. Try telling a person from a minority group that how we treat them is more important than the names we call them. Try comforting a child that just had their self-image shattered because they were called any assortment of derogatory terms that the words don't matter. You are right, we shouldn't give words such great power, but the reality is that often words frame and influence our actions towards one another.

The comments to this entry are closed.


What I'm Tweeting

    follow me on Twitter