• Flying Squid@lemmy.world
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    6 months ago

    Yep. I downvoted because of the ableism. I downvote that word every time I see it. I know of too many really good people who were severely bullied with that word due to physical and mental conditions beyond their control.

    I realize downvoting doesn’t achieve much, but there’s little else I can do.

      • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
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        6 months ago

        Kantar reviewed nearly 50 million social posts in the U.S. over 2 years. Over two-thirds of posts about people with intellectual disabilities were negative and nearly 29 million contained slurs (i.e., using the word “retard(ed)” or other words combined with “-tard”).

        Spreading the R-word continues to hurt people with intellectual disabilities—and whether intended or not, is a form of bullying. Using the R-word is the same as using any slur against a minority group. Eliminating this word is a step toward respect for all.

        https://www.specialolympics.org/stories/impact/why-the-r-word-is-the-r-slur

        It is one of the only words that disparages an entire class of human beings that many people seem to feel is also not bigoted enough to avoid using.