Hear actor John C. McGinley talk about why the word 'retard' is so hurtful and why everyone should stop using it in everyday conversation. This is from an interview on the Bonnie Hunt Show on March 2, 2009.
This is not a free speech issue. No one is saying you can't use a word, the campaign asks you to think more carefully about words you do choose to use. It raises awareness that millions of people with intellectual disabilities and their loved ones are hurt by the R-word. Of course you can choose to use any word you want. Now that you know the hurtful nature of the R-word, it's up to you to make a choice about the words you use and how you want to portray yourself thru your choice of words.
I liked John C. MicGinely before, but my respect for him has shot up since I saw this. Although it is "just a word", it is the equivalent of saying the "N word" to a black man, which has serious repercussions. This word should be outcasted like we outcasted other offensive words because they were just too hurtful to keep around.
I'm one of these special needs and it rocks that he is speaking up, for goin against the r word thank you John C McGinley for that, you rock keep it up.
I am trying not to use that word. I definitely don't use it to make fun of people. Yes, John C. McGinley is caring in real life. It shows how good of an actor he is.
This is an every day issue in my age group and society at large. I know that I have made a difference in people's thinking and behaviors toward this word.
This was all over the news and he had to apologize. He got no pass on this one. He has gotten passes for other things but not this one. it got so much air time even the liberal msnbc was covering it and fox had it rolling over and over.
That's all we need, another word that gets people freaking out. More political correctness, that's what we need. That word is completely correct, its also used for "to hold back" as in the dam retarded the water. Making it taboo is eliminating another word we're not allowed to use in public without people pretending to be pissed off. In Carpenteria California there is still a "Retarded kids thrift store" that hasnt changed its name since it opened, it donates all the money. Nothing wrong with it
The r-word is often used to say something is stupid, bad or wrong like "that movie was retarded" but the r-word also refers to someone who is developmentally disabled. So by using that word to say something is stupid or wrong you are calling people who are developmentally disabled stupid and wrong. People with developmentally disabled loved ones are offended by this. We are not saying you need to be offended by the r-word we are just telling you that we are.
Some of the peole commenting on this vedio are not seeing the reason why we should stop saying the 'R' word I am only a teen I know that this word is not right. It's sad that adults can't even see how hurtfull the R word is. I know kids how were born with this problem and they are not at all dumb or stupid. I hope one day people will see clearly and realize how hurtfull the 'R' word really is.
@Cubfan2240 You can't outlaw a word, as such, but you can make it no longer socially acceptable in mainstream society. Look at the 'N word', it's now no longer an acceptable term in a lot of modern culture.
Applause! I work with people with intellectual disabilities, and none of them asked to be the way they are, and it could happen to ANY of us. As John C said, picking on that group is so cowardice!
John C. McGinley is very caring despite if he looks like a jerk on tv. I think that the 'R' Word is very rude and people should stop using it all together. My cousin gets made fun of because he is slow and that just pisses me off.
It does, actually. I have not just done the same thing here. Where on Earth did you get that idea from? I am different. There is noticing that something is wrong and there is doing something that is wrong. I did the noticing, and he/she did the thing that was wrong. Please keep your friendship with TheInsaneguitarist1 out of the affair at hand.
@forgetpolitics That is probably one of the BEST sterotypes they've got going, if you consider that a sterotype. Maybe it is true generally that most people with downs syndrome or other forms of retardation are not aggressive.
Aaaww! I love how much he cares, and I couldn't agree more with him. I think it's great that he helped those kids express their feelings about the use of such a hurtful word. Hopefully those kids can take pride in knowing they've made a difference and that they were listened to. Thank God we have people like John, and the rest of the parents who are part of such organisations, and really give everything they have to create a better world for their kids and other kids with the same problems.
@forgetpolitics I used to watch after 3 children, one who had no learning or mental disabilities, one with Autism, and another with Downs Syndrome. One ting I notices was the child with Downs syndrome really always was in a good mood. For the two years I cared for him he never once had a "bad day". The "normal" child, of course, had his ups and downs, but genrally was not an agressive or mean spirited child. The child with Autism however was EXTREMELY agressive and often physically violent.
great message and everything but how exactly do they plan to end all usage of the r word? i mean first of all, broadcasting it to the nation and putting the idea in everyones heads is kinda counter productive don't you think? or maybe i'm just really stoned and totally didn't hear that write. who knows.
This is a great clip, and I'm a huge fan of Johnny C. But in a free country, how can you "outlaw" a word. Its a word, Im sorry, and words dont have power unless you give them power. A lot of it has to do with how you use the word as well. The only reason it becomes tricky is you are dealing with a word that makes people with intellectual disabilities feel bad about themselves, and they may not be capable of handling ridicule like others can.
@cegst7 It might be a good thing for you to research what you're saying a little bit. There is a whole history on the developmentally disabled you may not be aware of. The sad reality when you use this word you perpetuate in some small way millenia of disrespect, devaluation, and abuse
I'll admit that sometimes I use the 'r' word. But never in situations specifically linked to someone with a disability. I'll say "that's really retarded.." hell, I even say "that's so gay" I don't mean it in a mean way, I don't mean to insult people! This doesn't make me a bad person for using these words in this way, I don't believe - but at the same time I'll have to be more aware of what I'm saying in the future. Good on John for doing this. He really is amazing.
@ringmaster316ms If you want to get into the etymology of the thing... it's never been a pretty word. But really, does the 'why' really matter as much as the 'that'? What context would you use the word in that's not offensive on some level? And even if mentioned casually, if it's within earshot of someone who's mentally challenged who's grown up around the word and knows the sentiment behind it, it'll hurt and hurt bad.
