Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mrsquirrel]

One of the things that really irks me is the use of retards, retard, retarded, tard, as an insult.

When I was younger it was made clear to me that using the words retard and spastic to insult people was not on. At the that I should be grateful that I was able bodied

Since I started using internet forums over the last few years I have noticed that it's a commonly used insult by American posters. I do actually find it rather offensive.

It appears that it's actually acceptable for it to be used as an insult on mainstream TV in America as well. Last years "Americas next Dancer" or whatever it was called one of the judges said to a contestant that she was "dancing like a retard." I'm sure the judge would never have said her dancing was like a Negro.

So do you think that it's acceptable to use the word retarded as an insult? Should the word and it's various forms be blocked here on Dave's.

Do you have any family members who are classed as special needs? Would you be happy if somebody made fun of them?

What do you think?

[mikowee]

Who cares? Retards aren't offended. I don't see why you have to be offended for them.

[kermo]

Sure they are. You can be slow, developmentally delayed, have a learning disorder, etc., (i.e., technically "retarded") and be socially quite aware.

[ajgeddes]

And Brits use the word cu nt which is highly offensive to North Americans. You guys stop first.

[peppermint]

I find the word a little uncomfortable too, but I've spent enough time with Americans to be considerate of their different cultural values

[mrsquirrel]

[tiger fancini]

I'm sure there was a thread about this about a year or so ago, but obviously if you type retarded into the search engine the amount of results is ridiculously big.

As a person who has spent many years working with people with various disabilites, I have to say that I personally find it offensive when used in the context that it tends to be on this forum. Calling someone a retard, or any kind of variation of the word, implies that someone has behaved like a person with a learning disability - and is therefore stupid. Not my kind of humour, but unfortunately it does seem to be a lot of people's.

And as for saying "retards aren't offended", I have one question to ask mikowee - How the *beep* would you know?

[hubba bubba]

Um, doesn't an insult usually involve being offensive?

[mikowee]

[tiger fancini]

[Betty Rubble]

[seoulsucker]

My name is Arthel, and I can count to potato.

[mikowee]

[tiger fancini]

[ajgeddes]