god, shut the fuck up assholes. I'm Deaf and I hardly find mocking disabilities offensive. Lighten up, people.

People need to get the sand out of their vaginas. Everything hurts people's feelings these days. Find something better to do with your time maybe? I use the word 'retard' all the time. I find it funny. Does that mean i am hating on the community of the mentally challenged? nope. i am forming an alliance with them.

I have a friend who is offended by the word “retarded”, it's annoying to me, but both her parents are Special Ed. teachers and they disapprove. When I am around her I refrain, if it hurts her feelings I won't use it. There is a reason we don’t have the Association of Retarded Americans anymore, and that we now use the word challenged, or disabled because for some families it really does hurt.

But what if someone then starts being offended by the word "challenged"? It's just like the whole "I'm not handicapped, I'm handicapable!" statement. I vote for getting rid of ALL labels and just go with "hey you". But I'm sure someone would find offense with that too…

But they ARE retarded…

Lesson: Blackface in a major motion picture in 2008 = perfectly fine?

Most retards don't care if you use the word retard.

I think I saw ilnazhad at that protest…

Well shit, while we're at it, how about we protest men dressing as women, or Dave Chapelle doing his 'white news anchor'… People playing other characters will forever and a day be pissing someone off. Things are always taken so out of context. I would much rather have something about me said in jest, rather than in hatred. People usually can tell the difference between the two. I would hope.

1. When I saw the phrase "your commie friends'," I instantly though of MG Commies and thought "well, Keebler and The Hags seem to win a lot of Commies… maybe I should burn their books."

2. Personally, I think the acceptance of a possibly derogatory word depends on the individual's intentions. My brother is autistic, and I still say the word retard but not in a malicious way. Language evolves (I'm sure there's some scientific-y word for that), and meanings change. I think that a lot of the time, when we use words that can be deemed offensive, it's just because we've all gotten too lazy to think of a better fitting word. When I say "that's so gay" or "that's retarded," most of the time I'm trying to show disagreement/disapproval for something. Overall, I agree with Maria; if you know that a word upsets someone, try to be respectful and to not to use it around him/her… unless that person is a cunt =P

It's a medical term. Medical terms aren't really known for being mean-spirited. Do not blame the medical community for a bunch of people ripping off the term and using it disparagingly.

On a side note - if you get over the language of Huck Finn and realize it was thier ignorance that Twain was pointing out, it's a wonderful and very funny story. Also, To Kill a Mockingbird is my all time favourite book. Atticus Finch is my homeboy.

HAHHAHAHAHHA, BMoreKate!

I know plenty of gay people that say "gay" or "queer" regularly. As long as you're not calling someone a fag or like, that fucking retard, it shouldn't be a huge deal. I understand both sides though…

I hate the word, and I hate the attitude that "they don't mind." It's irresponsible to assume that someone's friendly reaction to an insulting word somehow absolves you of having done anything wrong. If someone is already at a social disadvantage, it's often felt that it's in their best interest to laugh alongside those who laugh at them. The reason it's "funny" is exactly the reason it's offensive - because it's an abrupt way to make less of someone. It can be funny - Josh Blue used it in his act (once) - and believe it or not,. it would have bothered me if he used it more, even though Josh himself has disablities.

Kate, if people started getting offended by the word challenged, it would be because it had - by repeated negative usage - developed a connotation of disrespect. There is no realistic situation where you would find yourself entirely unable to communicate an idea without these words or hundreds more.

Of course it's silly to ban a word. Of course. But what's not OK is ignoring someone who feels insulted when you speak. You should do your best to make peace, not demand that people stop feeling the way they feel about vertain words.

That's true… but when you have to bend over because people find the need to boycott and rally and basically find offense in every. little. thing… it seems rediculous. my friend was the organizer for a company picnic with a Fiesta theme. Did you know she was not allowed to use cacti because someone said they were offended? I brought up the argument of "challenged" because someone could argue.. "i'm not challenged… i just do things differently." So I should have stood outside Legally Blonde and been upset because it shows us blondes as ditzy airheads and total stereotypes? No. I was inside the theater laughing with everyone else because I don't take shit so personally. It's a double edged sword (s-word). We shouldn't demand that they change the way they feel about certain words being hurtful, but I'm sorry… that guy who made a 34 point turn to get out of his parking stall was retarded!

I personally preferred to use the term "maroon", until I learned it may be offensive to Harvard University.

Unless we call a boycott of every thick-necked male between the ages of 8-26, retard is probably here to stay.

killorn makes a very very good point.

I hear you Kate. If my life was truly limited by the fact that I were blond, if I just lived in that kind of environment, I can see getting outraged at one more insult. On the other hand, I don't get to decide whether someone else wants to show me respect or not, or how they speak to me. You can't walk on eggshells in order to avoid hurting people's feelings.

However, whenevr people say this word, they are conscious somewhere in their minds that it could be taken as derogatory. If someone says it anyway, knowing full well that the word is also used in hateful speech, then they have to take responsibility for that definition as well. When I was a kid I liekd to talk about an "ass" - which got me in all kidsn of trouble - and I would say, "it means donkey!!" But I knew the other definition, and so it's fair that I got in trouble, even though all I said was donkey.

OK I'm done rambling.

That is true. And I must admit that in front of certain people, whether they have family members with different types of disabilities, or the tight-assed 'christian' lady who doesn't use the term 'sucks' but can talk all day about the sins of gay people…I do watch what i say because I don't want to hurt anyone. But the same thing goes for telling fat jokes while sitting next to an obese person. You just don't do those things because it's cruel. but it doesn't mean that when my husband was eating and food fell out of his mouth, that i couldnt piss myself laughing and call him a retard.

"the tight-assed ‘christian’ lady who doesn’t use the term ’sucks’ but can talk all day about the sins of gay people"

What are the odds that we know the same lady!

Once again, it is a MEDICAL term taken out of the JAMA. Lighten the fuck up.

Queerty already pointed out that a stupid character using a word like "fag" actually helps the gay community. Same goes for the use of "retarded" by Stiller's character.
Although I don't use the word… it is arbitrary to flip when someone does use it to mean "stupid." This post itself is called crazy people. As a diss on the people. Some people really are crazy and it's a serious problem. We call assholes "psychos" sometimes, even though some people are truly psychotic and it's not their fault. Assholes chose to be assholes. I think being strict about the use of such words is pointless…. sometimes they do take on a new meaning.

*tagged not called
I'm in a rush. Sorry.

@Kate-
"I brought up the argument of “challenged” because someone could argue.. “i’m not challenged… i just do things differently.” "
Actually, the mentally challenged are not inferior to us, but their life is still much more of a challenge. Being so different in a world full of sameness is hard. Some work to accomodate the mentally challenged, but there will always be situations where the mentally challenged have more obstacles to overcome. I know someone who is mentally challenged and he can't navigate and has difficulty ordering food, etc. the way we can. But he has to follow our structure because he is the minority.

I don't think you can really compare the sensitivities of a blonde person with those of a person with disabilities. My brother has autism and is very low-functioning. He can't even verbalize a retort for any of the countless occasions where he's been stared at or mocked to his face. The only reason why movies can go this far are because people like my brother are defenseless. Nobody else that has had a slur attributed to them could claim the same. It's more than being over-sensitive about a word. Seriously, how can you attack parents of children with disabilities when a character in this movie bitches about being "stuck" with a mentally disabled child? I might be able to wince through 180 minutes of bad actors saying "retarded", but that clever piece of writing just blows my mind. and so do the self-important people on this forum who try to direct how families of people with disabilities should feel about this slur. nobody's going to burn you at the stake for saying retard, cord, so there's no need to compare this boycott to a communist movement that will cause you such a great inconvenience. calm down

all i have to say about saying retarded is that it's at the least a sign of immaturity. and really, people that use it are only doing themselves a disservice. people say it for a while before they says it to the wrong person and realize that it is not socially acceptable. There are so many people out there who will not say "fag" or "nigger" or anything like that, but "retard" is not held in the same respect and that should change.

Claire-
I don't think Cord is comparing this nonsense to the communist movement. To Kill A Mocking Bird and Hucklebrry Finn both contain the word "nigger." The word is only used by ignorant characters, though. The books aren't racist. The author is pointing out that the use of the word "nigger" to refer to black people is wrong. Same goes for Tropic Thunder. Stiller's character is supposed to be an insensitive cock sprout.
I agree. I volunteer with the mentally challenged and it frustrates me every time someone uses the word "retard" incorrectly. (And it is pathetic to equalize the difficulties of being blonde to being mentally challenged.)
PS
The word "retarded" is making a comeback in the medical field. So, using the word "retard" is fair. Using it as a *diss* is not.

But… I also understand the other side of the argument. I don't think "nigger" and "fag" did take on a new meaning (if it doesn't mean anything bad, why can't white people say "nigger"?), but I think the word “retarded” has (IN A WAY).
It's true that the mentally challenged have a low IQ. Intelligence is subjective… the mentally challenged did not bring their condition on themselves… it’s very hard on the family…. But, it’s true… that, often, the mentally challenged cannot, say, have a good debate with you. I think they are smart in a different way. I really do. For all these reasons, I don’t use the word “retarded” to diss someone. But, people who are gay or black do not have genes that make them less intelligent through any sensible perspective, so there really is no way to argue using these derogatory terms to refer to them. When I speak to the mentally challenged, I have to repeat a simple statement several times. If I speak to someone who isn’t mentally challenged and I have to repeat myself over and over again, I’ll think they’re an idiot. This is how some justify the use of the word “retarded” to make fun of a healthy person instead of “idiot.”
(-Mentally challenged take a long time to understand something simple to most people
-Stupid people take a long time to understand something simple to most people
-The mentally challenged are stupid.)
I think it’s wrong… but less wrong that using “nigger” or “fag.”
This probably makes no sense….

(And it is pathetic to equalize the difficulties of being blonde to being mentally challenged.)

Just to clarify, I never said being blonde had the same difficulties as being mentally challenged. i was referring to people who are always taking offense. Such as the people who are mortified by blonde jokes. Hope that clears that up for ya.

My boss uses this word all the time, and I recently had to call him on it. He used to call people "worthless" and changed to "retarded." I guess what bothers me so much is the condescending attitude behind it. His little daughter uses that word too. He's going to feel really crappy the day that he or his daughter uses that word in front of someone who is disabled and I hope the shame and embarrassment are crippling to the psyche.

"So I should have stood outside Legally Blonde and been upset because it shows us blondes as ditzy airheads and total stereotypes? No. I was inside the theater laughing with everyone else because I don't take shit so personally."

You were trying to prove that people shouldn't take offense to jokes about the mentally challenged because you can make it through jokes about blondes. You did not say blondes have the "same difficulties as the mentally challenged" but you did imply that the difficulties are as hard to handle. If only the mentally challenged would stop taking "shit so personally."
Oh, and Legally Blonde was actually a success story about a blonde who turned out to be intelligent in an eccentric way. And there were characters in the film that were blonde, but not the "blonde ditz" stereotype. There were also catty cunt flaps that were brunettes. She also ended up with the "smart, humble, attractive man."
But, you're right, it's hard to have what is on average considered the most attractive hair color. Just as hard as being diagnosed with autism.

It might interst some to know that just because an individual has some mental or neurological
disorder neither makes them stupid or void of
the ability to be offended by some condecending asshole who is too lazy to expand his/her vocabulary enough to avoid offending people.
This mentality is freighteningly reminicent of the
redneck assumtion that slaves were incapable of feeling physical or emotional pain.
Incodentally, about a year ago the the NAACP had what they referred to as a `formal burial' for
the `n`' word which is STILL a hate word.
Also there are people with different learning curves and those with ADD and ADHD whom we all
have seen at one point or another in our lives who are `trashed' by the system. And whatever the group,the mere fact that there is orisn't any public agency ie naacp to slap you on the hand for it, has to be the classic example of hypocracy, and the mere fact that you may belong to one or the other deos not make you immune to
the term bigot