Enough already.
The horse is flogged and dead.
We heard the first, the second, the third, .......and yet one more time.
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the word used was RETARDED -- as in slow on the up take, held back, having difficulties in keeping up with the rest of the crowd, having to have extra time to get it -- NOT the epithet like "n" and "gay" before it that many have complained about!
and who of us, if we are truthful, is not retarded?
one only has to look at my math and spelling abilities -- way, way behind the curve! sooooooo slow to get it! and my handwriting -- well did your 7th grade teacher call your parents and tell them to get you a typewriter so she could finally read your assignments???? Mine did! (let's see 40+ years and still haven't mastered typing either! -- pretty retarded!
and what's your retardation? English? grammar? chemistry? history? PE? (drat another one for me! -- my running is beyond retarded as in not moving at all!) spatial relationships? planning? sequencing? self-esteem? fear of (fill in the blank - I'll start: heights!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Yes, I've been called retarded even tho' I'm not -- until you look at my math and spelling! (my ability to run doesn't count -- not even moving there!)
but math and spelling? ooooo boy am I. And if one says that to me, my rejoinder is simply: "YES, I am -- that's why they invented Word/Excel and I can use those right well."
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now as to that epithet "r....." the one complained about but not used.
It is instructive to see how the "n" word and the word "gay" have been totally turned on their heads from epithets to empowering by those against whom they were originally aimed.
Some day the "r" word could be just as empowering but only if instead of stomping feet and yelling how dare you use it -- it is instead co-opted & embraced as used as point of pride when they stand their ground, don't wimper or pout but get right back in the person's face as say: "Yes, I AM retarded but just remember -- I may be slow -- but so was the tortoise and it was he -- the slow and steady one -- who won the race!"
One of the most loving people I ever knew was DS.
And one of my best, most steady students had a tested IQ of barely 80 - but she slowly, steadily did all that was asked of her and showed up those who were faster and more capable.
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Rather than focusing on the one dead leaf and miss the beauty of tree and forest -- an all too common trait today where a person makes a minor slip and is promptly beaten down for it as if they were a mass murder --
Let's recognize we all have dead leaves -- all of us retarded, slow. disabled - in some way.
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Enough.
Time to stay on topic or be silent.
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and speaking of the topic: see above or any cake I've made for just how bad my handwriting is! Unfortunately due to my own lack of patience, I doubt I'd have the time for tappits, or plaques or no $ for edible images. So, suffer and laugh on world at my scrawl!
really hate the word retarded. I also have a special needs grandson. I really wish people would be more considerate. In fact he is the pic in my Avatar...... So please be careful what you say and who you say it in front of, that person may be or have special needs.
