Sunday, February 17, 2013

Glamour's 10 Times You're Just Right: "When you get on your soapbox anytime someone says, 'That's retarded'."

Glamour magazine has always seemed a little fluffy to me, but I do like the make-up tips and the glossy pages showing off the latest fashions trends, even if I would never wear the clothes depicted.  After all, I am a t-shirt, jeans, cowgirl boots kind of girl.

Upon reading the March 2013 issue of Glamour, I found this article on page 306:



While I believe some of the top 10 are a bit ridiculous, #3 screamed out to me.  Finally! Something that I could actually identify with.

Frequent readers know that my soapbox is, in fact, the use of the r-word.

"omg, I am so retarded"

"what a retard"

"That is so retarded".

Phrases that I still continue to hear nearly every day.  In my presence.  In passing.  Phrases while are not directed at my 3 year-old still sting.





Every time I hear the word retarded, I picture my Ellie and a piece of me cries out each time.  A little bit of my heart twists.  I have written about celebrities and politicians using the r-word to create a joke.  To generate a laugh.  All at the expense of those with special needs and their families who love them.  As you know, I could go on and on.  I could give you pages of different words instead of retard. Words that are much more appropriate.  I could tell you how offensive and derogatory the word is.  How it is similar to saying nigger or fag.  Instead, I will just say, thank you.   Thank you, Glamour, because I am just right, damn it, when I do get on my soapbox about the use of the r-word.


Previous Posts about the R-word:

Anne Coulters Tweet- a Recap of Nigger, Fag, and Retard

Wayne Brade & Jim Roddey, Shame on You

March 7: A Day to End the Word

R-Word 'Rant

Stop Disability Slurs! The Change Up

Retarded.  (a compelling video)

Ugly Retarded Baby Girl search term

Taking A Stand

Retards. A Letter Template

The R-word, The Descendants, and George Clooney



http://www.facebook.com/stopdisabilityslurs



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9 comments:

  1. That's a soapbox I climb on without hesitation!!

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  2. Saw this the other day and got so excited!! Can't stand when people use that word. I also can't stand when I nicely correct or ask someone not to use it and the person tries to argue with me about how it isn't offensive. If it wasn't offensive why would I take offense? Trying to educate family has surprisingly been harder than educating friends or strangers! I have so much to say about this; I feel a blog post coming up.

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    Replies
    1. I hear you. I often get the "You know I didn't mean Ellie.". Well, then, what did you mean exactly? So many people are speaking out but most of those speaking out are in the special needs community. So to see a popular magazine that reaches the masses speaking out is huge!

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  3. Bravo! I completely agree with you. (I also frequently do #6 and am planning to pull off #8 on Wednesday.)

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    Replies
    1. I am in the middle of #10. . .no not ring! More along the lines of the job situation. How are you doing? I learn so much from your blog! Makes me want to travel but I Am worried about the coffee situation!

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  4. this is so GREAT! I think it hits a younger generation that is already sensitive to the word...but it reenforces it...I hear it more from the older generation or my generation...I am always offended and i cannot help it...I do feel the attack on my daughter...and I will not apologize for it...the rest of the list is definitely just a glamour list! this was fun! smiles

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    Replies
    1. I think you hit the nail on the head! It is indeed hitting the younger generation which is good :)

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  5. And Damn it you are RIGHT! That word is so misused and the whole meaning of it has changed from something medical to derogatory and hurtful! I hear that word often too, and if you can believe it I have heard it come from the mouth of a mother (two different moms on two different occasions) who has a child with a disability!!!!! Both times I have been so shocked and taken aback that I said nothing.

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I love your comments and I read each and every single one of them.

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