this post was submitted on 03 Sep 2023
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MeanwhileOnGrad

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Absolutely!

but in this case, I don't see the use of retard offensive. If it was directed at people with actual learning disabilities, then yeah, definitely.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago (1 children)

You don't really want to encourage the idea that disabled = bad, and you can use it as an insult. It's still racist to insult a white person with the n-word, because even if it's not offensive to them, it carries on the cultural attitude that black people are inferior. The idea is to foster a culture that is inclusive to disabled people.

[–] [email protected] -2 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Are you disabled? Since if you're not, you're not in a position to be lecturing if disabilities are good or bad.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

It's subjective of course. Some people choose to believe that disabilities are bad, and can be used as an insult.

I choose to believe that abled and disabled people are equal, that belief is a core tenent of my value system, and I will lecture on it regardless of how it makes you feel.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Being disabled is objectively not equal.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

What do you mean? Like do you deserve fewer rights?

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago (1 children)

They are inherently not equal—those disabled lack abled bodies and minds. I know it's semantic, but the word you're looking for is equity, not equality.

I still don't find offence to the word retard, I use it all the time. I don't need you, someone who is presumably able-bodied, to lecture me if the word is acceptable or not. Are you going to lecture a minority not to use particular slurs? You're in no position to do any of this, and I certainly don't need you to defend me from words. I can stand up for myself, thank you.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

You didn't answer my question.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago (1 children)

you asked two questions, my guy. but obviously disabled people deserve rights

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Right, so when talk about "equality", literally not even able-bodied people are equal at jobs or outcomes. Some people can lift heavier weights, some people do better on IQ tests, some people run faster, some people sing better. When we talk about equality, it's never referring to ability to achieve something, because that equality does not exist.

When we speak of equality, we speak of the level of rights you deserve.

And not that it's any of your business, but I was diagnosed with Asperger's in 2002. I don't bring it up in internet conversations partially because the TikTok self diagnosis wave has made it meaningless.

[–] [email protected] -1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

And what does this have to do with retard?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

"Retard" is a slur that is mean to dehumanize - the association that a developmental disability makes you less than full human.

[–] [email protected] -1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

So is idiot. So is stupid. So is every single other insult.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Stupid and idiot do not target disabilities.

[–] [email protected] -1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Oh, but they do! Look into the historical usage of these words. Both were used for the intellectually disabled.

Are you going to cancel the usage of idiot and stupid? Or are you going to accept that, like idiot and stupid, words change their meaning over time, and retard is one such word going under a change.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

You are correct on "idiot", you are wrong on "stupid".

retard is one such word going under a change.

The evidence in the meme that started this conversation is that it is not undergoing a change.

Idiot is not longer used to refer to actual mental disability, the r-slur is. Maybe eventually the r-slur meaning will change. I don't see any point in hypothesizing about the fuzzy future possibility of a words meaning, the only thing that matters is what the word means right now, in real life. Your position has no standing.

[–] [email protected] -1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Hey, hold on now. You're the only one who is making the connection that retard is explicitly referring to those with intellectual disabilities. Everyone else is using it in the meaning of they are stupid.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

No, it is in fact likening the person that you're insulting to someone with intellectual disabilities. Sorry goat, you don't have a leg to stand on in this one. Best to just not.

[–] [email protected] -1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

I'm not offended by it. I don't think you should be either

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Nobody is offended, we're just letting you know that you look like a bad person and ruining the your credibility of your character.

[–] [email protected] -1 points 1 year ago
[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

It's subjective of course. Some people choose to believe that disabilities are bad, and can be used as an insult.p

I choose to believe that abled and disabled people are equal, that belief is a core tenent of my value system, and I will lecture on it regardless of how it makes you feel.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Man, I have physical disabilities and mental illness. It's not equal. It fucking sucks.

I've tried to purge 'retard' from my vocabulary simply because it has been used terribly, but the point of view that is "All deficiencies are equal and must never be said to be bad" will lead to no criticism, much less hyperbole or humor, being able to be levied at all. I imagine that, should such sentiments take root in the common consciousness, they would snap back before long rather than create some doomsday newspeak scenario, but it's terribly annoying to deal with it nonetheless.

That being said, I do respect you standing up for your point of view unapologetically.