Use of the word "retarded" as a put down.

It saddens me greatly to see this word used in such a way, and by moderators(*coughDROIDEKA27cough*) in particular. For anyone with a family member with a mental handicap, the word being used in negative way feels like a slap in the face(at least it does to me)

I don't care if it's because of the poster's age, if you want to call someone stupid, call them stupid, don't use "retarded" to mean the same thing.

 

I totally know where you're coming from, and I agree, but the same way 'gay' has turned into a put-down in the English language, so has 'retarded.' I think that micro-moderatoring this word runs the risk of starting down a slippery slope.

 

BUT it's a moderator using the word, and I've seen other moderators on the JC editing the word from posts.

It just goes to show lack of imagination of the person using it. I can think of 20 different ways to call a person stupid without having to resort to the word retarded.

 

Aren't you being a little wee-bit oversensitive?

 

If it's consistantly edited out of other member's posts then yes, a mod shouldn't be saying it. But if it's not, then I'd say it's fair game, tasteless as it may be.

 

"BUT it's a moderator using the word, and I've seen other moderators on the JC editing the word from posts."

Have you talked to any of the moderators that use the word retarded, and do you have links of where said moderators have edited the word out from other members posts?

 

Nope, I don't think I'm being oversensitive. On other boards I post at, using that word in a put-down context will get you flame broiled. And quite honestly, a moderator, especially a female moderator (who could one day give birth to a child with a mental handicap) using the term in such a way is disgusting.

 

And quite honestly, a moderator, especially a female moderator (who could one day give birth to a child with a mental handicap) using the term in such a way is disgusting.

Wow, thats very hypothetical of you.

It just goes to show lack of imagination of the person using it. I can think of 20 different ways to call a person stupid without having to resort to the word retarded.

You cant blame someone for their lack of vocabulary.

 

This reminds me of the same type of attitude that had teachers stop using red ink for being afraid of hurting students' feelings.

People use the term stupid, dumb, and other nouns and adjectives to describe moronic (onother adjective) behaviors all the time.

Toughen up.

Only a moron would purposefully insult a mentally disabled person the way you're referring to, which plainly isn't the case here.

 

On other boards I post at, using that word in a put-down context will get you flame broiled.

The word is not on the list of prohibited terms, nor should it be.

Just because another board has tighter restrictions than this board does not mean that we need to follow. That is no different than when people point to other boards that allow [slash|profanity|porn|etc] and ask why we don't do the same here.

Retarded simply means something that is slow or delayed. The term can be used in relation to mental capabilities, but that is not its only use.

There comes a time when you have to tell people to just grow a thicker skin. No matter how much you try to make your language non-offensive, someone will always find a way to get offended.

This is really a non-issue.

And quite honestly, a moderator, especially a female moderator (who could one day give birth to a child with a mental handicap) using the term in such a way is disgusting.

Why should whether a person is male of female matter at all in this? Can't men have retarded children as well (last I checked, it does take two to tango)?

Kimball Kinnison

 

and by moderators(*coughDROIDEKA27cough*)

This isn't a constructive way to make a complaint or bring up an issue. I think it's sometimes acceptable to bring up a specific moderator or moderators in a given complaint or issue, but at least do it in such a way that gives them some respect or decency.

 

I'm retarded.

 

NO, I don't think I need thicker skin. Using the word in such a way is much more offensive to me(and many others)than any profane word or slash fanfics. And it isn't any more acceptable to use as [racial slurs] or a multitude of other "once acceptable, now offensive" words

The search function here sucks donkey balls, otherwise I would go search for where it was edited and where it was used.


Amos edit: You can't use those words here.

 

KW's got a point, ask a question about the word and it's usage, but leave individuals out of it

BUT it's a moderator using the word, and I've seen other moderators on the JC editing the word from posts.

There was one incident were a moderator from another forum who wasn't familiar with the JCC edited 'retard' in the JCC, but that was quickly cleared up. As KK said, it isn't on the prohibited words list, and it should not be. Using retard as a put down isn't that bad of an insult in my opinion, and I think it's fine for these boards.

 

It's possible that the times you saw the term edited were when it was part of a flame or a baiting remark, in which case it wasn't edited because of the word itself but because of the context.

I agree that it is a tasteless and totally offensive term when used the way most people use it. I do not use it, nor do I allow others to use it around me in real life. But it's not on the list of prohibited words here, so we can't go around telling people that they aren't allowed to say it.

 

I thuink I've maybe edited that word when it was directed at another user. However, the words "stupid" and "idiot" are permitted words, but if you called another user a "stupid idiot" I'd probably have to edit that too.

I don't think it's cool to call-out any particular moderator in a thread in comms - this forum is for contructive debate over policy, and not the actions of a single person.

 

Haha! See..using words that are offensive, but not in an offensive way still gets them edited(and I have never seen the word in question using in a non-offensive way). And I have in fact posted to the moderator in question about using the term in an offensive matter. Apparently, us lowly regular members aren't worthy of being listened too.

So sad what this place has turned into.

 

Context-wise, it should be treated as words the like of idiot, or moron.

 

Wonderful point pixie, but I think we should go a step further. What about the word "lame"? Isn't lame a word for those that cannot walk? Aren't we insulting them by using it in a derogatory way? I think we should put "lame" on the restricted word list. [/sarcasm]

Seriously though. I think you can take offense to these words, but you have to be looking for offense. You know the old adage "He who takes offense when offense was not given is a fool." I think this is a classic example of making a big deal out of nothing. Just because you take the word "retarded" as offensive towards handicapped people doesn't mean it was intended that way. The English language is full of these words with both figurative and literal meanings. In this case, both can be used literally and not be offensive.

And most importantly, not a whole lot of people actually use the word "retarded" to describe one who is physically/mentally handicapped. It's not a nice sounding word, and isn't exactly on the top of the PC list. Most people (at least a lot of people) use the more PC term "handicapped". So this whole ordeal is a little silly in my mind. Oh hell lets just call it what it is. Retarded.

 

Apparently, us lowly regular members aren't worthy of being listened too.

It has nothing to do with your member status, and everything to do with your opinion (along with how you're expressing that opinion, I suspect).

Regular members have already chimed in on this issue here, and I'm sure more will do so.

 

Haha! See..using words that are offensive, but not in an offensive way still gets them edited(and I have never seen the word in question using in a non-offensive way).

I'm sorry, but the word "retarded" isn't offensive - only it's connotations or the context in which it is used could be deemed "offensive".

Can you show us examples of where it's been edited from a non-offensive context? Surely you must have seen something recently that prompted this thread.

Apparently, us lowly regular members aren't worthy of being listened too......So sad what this place has turned into.

That's entirely uncalled for, and certainly doesn't contribute to the thread.

 

"So sad what this place has turned into."

Look at YodaJeff's Signature.

 

Queen_Pixie posted on 4/5/05 8:37am

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Nope, I don't think I'm being oversensitive. On other boards I post at, using that word in a put-down context will get you flame broiled. And quite honestly, a moderator, [b]especially a female moderator (who could one day give birth to a child with a mental handicap)[/b] using the term in such a way is disgusting.


[hr][/blockquote] Way to bring up an irrelevant point. I could father a child with a mental handicap. I could know a child with a mental handicap. My older/younger brother/sister could have a mental handicap.

Incredibly irrelevant point. So it's less not good for, say, zacparis to use it because he's a male and won't give birth to someone with a mental handicap?

 

I too hate the use of the word retarded when used in a derogatory way. Not only is it mildly offensive, but it's a bit lazy. If you mean stupid, say "stupid", not "retarded", "gay", "queer", or some other popular but wholly inappropriate synonym. The only thing using those words accomplishes is creating mental associations with the user and listener. If everything negative to a person is "gay" or "retarded" they are going to have a natural negative connotation when they come into contact with a legitimate use of the word. I'm not passing judgment on anyone who uses these words (in my experience most don't realize they're even doing it) but I don't think it's something that should be encouraged.

To clarify, I'm not commenting on board policy, nor am I speaking on behalf of any part of ModSquad. It's simply my own personal outlook. Like Malkie, I'll consider the context when it's used, and like gabe said, I'll consider it synonymous with "idiot" or "moron" and moderate accordingly.

 

It would be nice if the word was used appropriately but it isn't. Those who have contact with people who have a mental disablity are more sensitive to the use of this word. I know my friend who has a son who has Downs Syndrome gets very angry when people use the word retarded incorrectly.

DLM pointed out in another thread that moderators are held to higher standards and should be setting an example for the rest of the board. I would hate to see someone register, go into the WNU and have some post "Your username is retarded" and have that not get editted because they technically didn't do anything against TOS.

Using it as a flame should at least get a warning.