TAKE THE PLEDGE!

3.3.10 is National Awarness Day to end the use of the R-word.

Why some people argue about this (really, is it worth fighting to keep this word???!!!) I will never understand. Working together we can all make a difference to help all children (and adults) feel accepted. Take the pledge at www.r-word.org.

From Special Olympics:

The latest in the battle against this 21st-century dirty word have all eyes on American influencers who have recently used the term in the media.

A Jan. 26 Wall Street Journal article quoted White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel calling certain healthcare opposition as “retarded.” Special Olympics Chairman and CEO Timothy Shriver sent a letter to Emanuel, objecting to his use of the word and explaining why it is hurtful. Earlier this week, a delegation of advocates met with Emanuel to discuss the effect of the R-word on people with intellectual disabilities. The meeting prompted Emanuel to add his pledge at R-word.org.

Shortly after the meeting, radio personality Rush Limbaugh described the White House meeting with Emanuel as a “retard summit.” Tim Shriver sent a letter to Limbaugh as well.

Shriver, as he does with all people of influence, reached out with a letter to Limbaugh as well to engage him in being a leader against discrimination of people with intellectual disabilities. Shriver has not yet received a response from Limbaugh.

Heeding the advice and recommendations of Special Olympics athletes, Special Olympics began referring to ‘mental retardation’ as ‘intellectual disabilities’ in 2004. The athletes felt the term mental retardation perpetuated the playground taunts of ‘retard’ and ‘retarded’ and added social stigma to their already everyday challenge they faced.

In 2008, Special Olympics, along with a coalition of intellectual disability organizations, raised the issue of the R-word when Dreamworks released the film “Tropic Thunder” which repeatedly used the R-word. A protest was held at the premiere in Los Angeles, CA and for once the R-word became a national discussion topic.

Young people joined the campaign against this term in March 2009 when they launch the Spread the Word to End the Word campaign which engaged students and people with intellectual disabilities to join together to take the pledge atwww.r-word.org to not use the R-word.

This year’s Spread the Word the End the Word day will be March 3. Join the campaign today by taking the pledge.