The R-Word

Though this post will deviate from my usual interesting tidbit about politics/news, I would like to draw attention to a particular topic that has caught my eye. As I was reading Seventeen Magazine the other day, I noticed a website for r-word.org and after visiting this site, I became very interested in participating in the Best Buddies program. This program helps teens with mental disabilities connect with others around them in their local communities; it's a chance for teens with and without disabilities to get to know one another in an environment that might not have been available beforehand. Although I am not an active member of the Best Buddies program quite yet, I do want to call all of your attention to the "r-word", in other words: retard. Retardation is quite often a mental disability that many in the world suffer from, and it does make the person who is retarded any different from a normal human being.

Often, myself included, people use this word as a derogatory term as a substitute for "stupid" or "weird." But to be perfectly honest, what gives us the right to use this word in such a way? To further ostracize these members of the community is something that I am going to try to prevent by promoting awareness at my school, and by attempting to get involved this summer to meet teenagers just like me who might be a little different (but everyone's different, right?). So please, pledge today at r-word.org and make that small difference.

Next time you want to say something's idiotic, remember: Don't Use That R-Word!

Want to know more about mental disabilities and retardation? Visit the Best Buddies website (or the Best Buddies California Information site)!