I’ve never been a Sarah Palin fan, but I’ve got to applaud her for calling out The Obama Administration’s Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuel (pictured to the right), when he recently scolded participants in a strategy session, calling them, “F---ing retarded.”
Mrs. Palin wrote on her Facebook page, “Just as we’d be appalled if any public figure of Rahm’s stature ever used the “N-word” or other such inappropriate language, Rahm’s slur on all God’s children with cognitive and developmental disabilities – and the people who love them – is unacceptable, and it’s heartbreaking.”
That one posting incited a firestorm in the press. Here are a few of the articles, and I hoping that again attention will be called to stopping the use of this hurtful and vile word.
Apology NOT Accepted
Emanual Deserves a Liberal Scolding
In the Offensive Spotlight
Emanuel Offensive Comment
Private Apology is Not Enough
The Special Olympics operates this site: http://www.r-word.org/
ReplyDeleteThe pledge states:
I pledge and support the elimination of the derogatory use of the r-word from everyday speech and promote the acceptance and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities.
Sign the pledge today!
Thank you so much for this post. My hubby saw a little clip on the news about this and we have been searching for more detailed info on what happened.
ReplyDeleteI hate the "R" word and I'm sick of hearing it. It is always used in such an ugly and derogatory way.
The fact that this man who is a public figure and in a professional setting thought it was acceptable to use it shows how pervasive the hatred and discrimination against people with disabilities is in our society.
I've followed this story...and now this one...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.specialolympics.org/timothy-shriver-letter-to-rush-limbaugh.aspx
It's both sides of the road using the word. You think she'll call out Rush for using it too? ;)
I love the "spread the word to end the word" campaign. I believe it should be wiped from common vernacular as a derogatory term.
I've heard a lot about this on the radio yesterday. I agree how can anyone not be called out the same way as using some other offensive words?
ReplyDeleteNot everyone is on the same page though, sadly.
ReplyDeleteI was pretty disturbed to read this Slate article which basically boils down to saying that he shouldn't have been called out because most people make fun of people with intellectual disabilities and if you ban the word "retarded" they will just use something different.
Sigh... Talk about completely missing the point.