... the really retarded people were MAD!

That's hilarious.

this thread is the exact polar opposite of cool.

ya know, i've seen that word thrown around this forum a heck of a lot.

pplrain said:

Hey pplrain, no bad vibes, but i hate that word

I don't care for the word, it's right up there with the word stupid.

statuesqque said:

"stupid" is a pretty lazy word because it has such a relative meaning, but at least it can be used with some level of truth when applied correctly.

I think I know where you are coming from, but i still have not figured it out exactly, oh shit

Anxiety said:

that's true, you have a point, it can be

It's not pc.

PaisleyPark5083 said:

i'm sure the parent of someone with a mental disability is really concerned about what's "politically correct" when people are making fun of their baby.

there's a wide gulf between the world of "political correctness" and just plain having some decency and class.
[Edited 1/24/08 19:09pm]

Anxiety said:

So Anx you think it is OK to call someone stupid but not retarded ??
Both definitions mean "delayed"

pplrain said:

i didn't say that. i said that there were situations in which the word "stupid" could be relevant. and in fact, i'm sure there are situations when the word "retarded" could be apt as well. unfortunately, i don't think this thread is a good example.

This thread should have been retarded by common sense.

I've got mixed feelings about that word. I feel bad when I hear it or use it, but sometimes it's just there.

KIDA'S WISDOM CORNER

I don't understand why people get offended by the word {retard or retarted} like if someone say's it in a song they block it out or make people change it bcuz it's supposed to be "offensive" to people with mental disabilities. First, why would you even associate that word to people with mental disabilites.....you're supposed to use the proper term which is 'Mentally Challenged'. When I say someone is 'retarded' or 'stupid' it's just out of laughs or for fun, but I have never referred to someone with mental disabilites as 'retarded'!



That'll be $8!

KidaDynamite said:

I can understand it. If someone you know or love is mentally or physically handicapped, to me it would be like the use of the word "fag" or when people use the "gay" in a disparaging way, such as "Oh man, we have to write a 20 page term paper this semester, that's so gay...".

Of course, I'm not really offended by this anymore, but I can see why people for whom its a very closely held personal issue or situation would be offended or be disgusted by it.

Aside said:

exactly. at most, you should just evolve your personal vocabulary and get rid of words you know that, even if you mean them harmlessly, are hurtful to other people.

at the very least, if you know those words can be hurtful and you're not ready to give them up within your circle of friends or whatever, then just try to employ some tact. watch what you say in mixed company. it's not that hard to do.

I wouldn't call a really retarded person a retard.. that would really hurt. I used it on my friend (who is not retarded, I think) but she calls me worse names. LOL! Someone who was not in our group heard me and lectured me on it.
She actually suggested I use the word mentally challenged.
[Edited 1/24/08 21:23pm]

For some reason that word is way up on my list of unaaceptables. In fact I don't have a list, that word IS the list.

Not cool.

I think the difference is... stupidity can be fairly deliberate, where as retardation is not...

You tell me...

im really offended by that, my sister was severely Handicapped and had you said that word around me?...oh buddy..

Do u all maybe think that this thread was created to see how many of u would react and in effect be the so called "really" retarded people?
Just a thought.....
And I HATE the word too

it all depends on the context. my cousin is mentally handicapped and the word "retard" doesnt bother me too much.

but what does piss me off is when ppl put their hand on their chest and go "DUH!!!"

InsatiableCream said:

Yeah, it's definitely a generation thing too. Like others, I've always used the word mentally challenged/handicapped when referring to people who truly have disabilities.

Ugh, people are way too sensitive. It depends on the context, tone...blah blah blah. I wouldn't just call a stranger a retard, but if it's a friend then ya, whatever.

pplrain said:

But you said "really" retarded, which made everyone on here think you were referring to people with mental disabilities. Either way regardless of the context, I'm sure you would've offended someone.

CarrieLee said:

which goes back to it being a matter of tact. i might say something around close friends that i wouldn't dare say at work or in other mixed company. it's not my intention to say potentially offensive things and assume people will just have to "deal with it", when i can just err on the side of respectability and hope other people will do the same toward me.

why can't people just be nice to each other? fuck.

CarrieLee said:

The word in general doesn't offend me much either, but considering the way the word was used in this particular situation, it's easy to see why people would be a little upset. A lot of words have evolved into completely different meanings now. I remember how uncomfortable I was when girls started using the word "bitch" so freely when referring to themselves & other girls. Now, I just shrug it off and accept the context of it. I mean just look at this site, how many times do you see "bitch" and "cunt" used so freely in jest. I've also seen people here say something to the extent of "I can't wait to meet you. I'm gonna molest you."..... or "I'm gonna rape you". Context should apply to everything here then.....I hate the pick & choose game here.