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- Jun 8, 2008
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OK so there is a thread started the other day where a term was used that many find offensive. I know (hope) the OP didn't mean to offend with her use of the words but she did offend some people nonetheless. It started me thinking of other words I find offensive that still some people (inadvertently and/or ignorantly) use.
I hope it is OK to start this thread as I mean it to educate all of us me included because sometimes we forget the power words have. And they do have power. The power to hurt and the power to desensitize us and we have the power to stop using them and erase them from universal vocabulary. If possible I would like for us to have a constructive debate/thread about this issue.
I'll start. I find one of the most offensive words people still use is the word "retarded". It is hurtful, wrong and mean. There are so many better words one can use and I would love for people to stop using the word. I work with the ID (intellectually disabled) population and they are so amazing so wonderful and many understand that the word "retarded" is used in a derogatory manner and it hurts.
Another word that I cannot believe is still in use and whenever I hear someone using it I want to cry and also educate them is the word "Oriental" when describing people of Asian descent. Really? It is so offensive and ignorant.
Another antiquated and very offensive word still used is the word "colored" when referring to African Americans. Yes I hear people still using this word and I would like this and other derogatory words gone. And then there is the other word referring to black people that is quite upsetting but I know that most don't use it anymore though some do to take away its power. That is a whole other debate.
Does anybody have any other words they find upsetting and offensive that some people still use?
I hope it is OK to start this thread as I mean it to educate all of us me included because sometimes we forget the power words have. And they do have power. The power to hurt and the power to desensitize us and we have the power to stop using them and erase them from universal vocabulary. If possible I would like for us to have a constructive debate/thread about this issue.
I'll start. I find one of the most offensive words people still use is the word "retarded". It is hurtful, wrong and mean. There are so many better words one can use and I would love for people to stop using the word. I work with the ID (intellectually disabled) population and they are so amazing so wonderful and many understand that the word "retarded" is used in a derogatory manner and it hurts.
Another word that I cannot believe is still in use and whenever I hear someone using it I want to cry and also educate them is the word "Oriental" when describing people of Asian descent. Really? It is so offensive and ignorant.
Another antiquated and very offensive word still used is the word "colored" when referring to African Americans. Yes I hear people still using this word and I would like this and other derogatory words gone. And then there is the other word referring to black people that is quite upsetting but I know that most don't use it anymore though some do to take away its power. That is a whole other debate.
Does anybody have any other words they find upsetting and offensive that some people still use?