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NDWarrior

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I’m not gonna police your language; you can say anything you want, but I would like you to consider the fact that actual retarded people are some of the sweetest, most innocent people on the planet. When you use the word to denigrate people, it says something about you and its not positive. Its something that Giddyup might say, but not you. You’re not that guy.

100% in agreement
 

NDVirginia19

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I’m not gonna police your language; you can say anything you want, but I would like you to consider the fact that actual retarded people are some of the sweetest, most innocent people on the planet. When you use the word to denigrate people, it says something about you and its not positive. Its something that Giddyup might say, but not you. You’re not that guy.
It’s a term that has not been used in the medical field in over 15 years. Before Mental Retardation was used as a medical term, terms like “idiot” “Moron” or “imbecile” were used as medical terms. Would it be offensive if I used those words?
 

SeekNDestroy

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It’s a term that has not been used in the medical field in over 15 years. Before Mental Retardation was used as a medical term, terms like “idiot” “Moron” or “imbecile” were used as medical terms. Would it be offensive if I used those words?
C’mon, man. Let’s not play this game.
 

Blazers46

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It’s a term that has not been used in the medical field in over 15 years. Before Mental Retardation was used as a medical term, terms like “idiot” “Moron” or “imbecile” were used as medical terms. Would it be offensive if I used those words?
No, carry on.
 

Bishop2b5

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I don't really have a side in this and I'm not condoning or condemning NDVirginia19's use of the word retarded. It was the replacement for earlier terms for people with low intelligence, such as imbecile or moron or idiot (which were all legal and medical terms). Those were just standard terms for categories of people with mental disabilities. When the general public co-opted those words as insults to the rest of the population that they deemed "not so bright" then they became viewed as negative terms, when before, they had no such connotation. We replaced them with retarded, which just means slow, but the same thing eventually happened to that word. We replaced it with mentally handicapped or mentally challenged, but both have been co-opted as general insults to one's intelligence. None of those words or terms were intended as insults or to belittle those with mental development issues. It's just that they get co-opted as general use insults, and any future terms we replace mentally challenged or mentally handicapped with will almost certainly suffer the same fate.
 
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Blazers46

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I’m surprised anyone comes to this side of the tracks to police a word. I’m offended.
 

NDWarrior

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It's not about policing... There's just something about the word that I can't explain and (I know I could be wrong for sure) it seems like NDVA19 is using it intentionally to be extra derogatory to those he's debating with. Obviously, I can't know his reasons for using it or his sentiment, but it seems to come across like that.
 

NDWarrior

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Since I didn't know why the word gives off such an offensive feel vs. the synonyms that Bishop listed here, I went to old reliable Claude which replied with:

"The Core Distinction

The most honest answer is: yes, there is a meaningful difference, and it comes down to proximity in time. The other three words also started as slurs against disabled people, but society largely forgot that — their sting as disability slurs has faded even if they remain rude. "Retarded" hasn't had that time, so using it as a debate insult lands as a much more direct slight against a living, identifiable community of people, not just a vague historical one.

That said, using any of them as a debate insult is generally a sign that an argument has broken down, regardless of which word is chosen."
 

NDWarrior

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And sure, we all have thick skin here (I think?) so yeah, I guess technically anything can go. I would just hope in our moments of frustration and/or anger, we refrain from personally denigrating one another here, but some still choose to do so, and I guess it's their right and that it's up to the moderators to determine if/when anyone needs to cool off for a while if they go too far for too long... I think even in this thread -- Right?
 

Irish#1

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Personally, I think we get a little too worked up about some words that are being used. Seek has a point about Virginia's use of the word retarded, but I didn't think it was that bad due to the fact that no one on this board is "retarded / mentally challenged". For some mentally challenged is now degrading and they prefer intellectual disability. Sticks and stones............
 

Fbolt

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Let's be nice except when I don't want to. I find this amusing.
 

SeekNDestroy

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I guess it just comes down to expectations. I have different expectations for Virginia than I do for Fbolt, for example.
 

NDVirginia19

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I guess it just comes down to expectations. I have different expectations for Virginia than I do for Fbolt, for example.
I’ll admit, it is a word that’s thrown around all the time in my workplace and I don’t see it as crazy of a word to call people being really fucking dumb. If it bothers people here I have no problem not using it.
 

Blazers46

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It's not about policing... There's just something about the word that I can't explain and (I know I could be wrong for sure) it seems like NDVA19 is using it intentionally to be extra derogatory to those he's debating with. Obviously, I can't know his reasons for using it or his sentiment, but it seems to come across like that.
Since I didn't know why the word gives off such an offensive feel vs. the synonyms that Bishop listed here, I went to old reliable Claude which replied with:

"The Core Distinction

The most honest answer is: yes, there is a meaningful difference, and it comes down to proximity in time. The other three words also started as slurs against disabled people, but society largely forgot that — their sting as disability slurs has faded even if they remain rude. "Retarded" hasn't had that time, so using it as a debate insult lands as a much more direct slight against a living, identifiable community of people, not just a vague historical one.

That said, using any of them as a debate insult is generally a sign that an argument has broken down, regardless of which word is chosen."
And sure, we all have thick skin here (I think?) so yeah, I guess technically anything can go. I would just hope in our moments of frustration and/or anger, we refrain from personally denigrating one another here, but some still choose to do so, and I guess it's their right and that it's up to the moderators to determine if/when anyone needs to cool off for a while if they go too far for too long... I think even in this thread -- Right?
There are way too many things said in this forum to spend this much time on one word. Months ago we had a guy freely parading around singing the praises of Charlie Kirk being assassinated with zero feedback from anyone on his side except a few that came out to express their indifference. So this word policing seems… retarded.
 

Sea Turtle

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There are way too many things said in this forum to spend this much time on one word. Months ago we had a guy freely parading around singing the praises of Charlie Kirk being assassinated with zero feedback from anyone on his side except a few that came out to express their indifference. So this word policing seems… retarded.

The word 'retarded' became like 'gay' at some point. We would all use it in instances where it didn't even make sense. They both became slang.

'Do you like Winger or Warrant?'
'Nah man, they're gay!'

Both of you fully aware that they were probably all quite the womanizers.

'Do you want to see Pee Wee's Big Adventure?'
'Heck no, that movie is retarded ass'.

Both of you are fully aware that there are no characters with special needs. But this show had one.

 
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Blazers46

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The word 'retarded' became like 'gay' at some point. We would all use it in instances where it didn't even make sense. They both became slang.

'Do you like Winger or Warrant?'
'Nah man, they're gay!'

Both of you fully aware that they were probably all quite the womanizers.

'Do you want to see Pee Wee's Big Adventure?'
'Heck no, that movie is retarded ass'.

Both of you are fully aware that there are no characters with special needs.


I had a kid in my elementary school, he had obvious issues… he always introduced himself “hi, I’m Chris, I’m retarded” and then burst out laughing slobbering all over himself like introducing himself was the highlight of his day. One kid replied, I’m Kevin, I’m also retarded… they became best friends. Those were great times.
 

RDU Irish

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I’ll admit, it is a word that’s thrown around all the time in my workplace and I don’t see it as crazy of a word to call people being really fucking dumb. If it bothers people here I have no problem not using it.

LOL - bend the knee. Good boy. S&D pretending to be offended by anything is rich. "Standing up" for some hypothetical offended person - even richer.

You original point is on target - which is why the communists pick on a word to shame you into submission.
 

NDWarrior

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LOL - bend the knee. Good boy. S&D pretending to be offended by anything is rich. "Standing up" for some hypothetical offended person - even richer.

You original point is on target - which is why the communists pick on a word to shame you into submission.

Lighten up, it's a forum, it was discussion. You're making a much bigger deal than it is. Nothing to see here, move along.
 

Irish#1

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Lighten up, it's a forum, it was discussion. You're making a much bigger deal than it is. Nothing to see here, move along.
Perhaps S&D should have lightened up and not commented . After all, it’s a forum.
 

NDWarrior

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Perhaps S&D should have lightened up and not commented . After all, it’s a forum.

Like I said, it was a discussion and S&D expressed his feelings about the word, and I concurred. It didn't go anywhere although I think there was at least an understanding of how people feel about the word one way or the other; not unlike in the main ND FB thread when a handful of folks express that they don't like folks expressing things about ND football and players using the Lord's name in vain; that never goes anywhere either and usually someone comes right in and uses it in the very next post without any care... It is what it is.
 

RDU Irish

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Like I said, it was a discussion and S&D expressed his feelings about the word, and I concurred. It didn't go anywhere although I think there was at least an understanding of how people feel about the word one way or the other; not unlike in the main ND FB thread when a handful of folks express that they don't like folks expressing things about ND football and players using the Lord's name in vain; that never goes anywhere either and usually someone comes right in and uses it in the very next post without any care... It is what it is.

Performative. And it worked to derail the convo for a whole page and get the commenter to bend the knee. Textbook.
 
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