Retard Equated With N-Word in 'Glee' Public Service Announcement That Just Says No to 'R-Word'

worst article ever.

just saw this psa for the 1st time last night while watching alcatraz...and these comments are nine months old? maybe i don't watch as much tv as i thought i did...i was excluded from the psa...depending on how i look at it that either means it is awesome to be me or i am the problem...either way, their are certain truths society never mentions that we all know are fact, "What's fair is fair!" -Billie Jean Davy

‎"Well, first off, it's not really the same as every minority slur. There's an ugly history of discrimination, slavery and homicide that goes along with the 'n-word,' another example used in the PSA." If you don't believe that an ugly history of discrimination and homicide go along with the word "retard" you should probably read a history book. Before the Nazis went after Jews, they started with sterilizing, experimenting on, and killing people with disabilities. Might also be worth looking into the state of "madhouses" where people used to be locked away for their entire lives in horrific conditions. There might be accurate uses for the word "retarded" but not a single one is accurate in describing a person.

it horrible to treat people with disrectpect

You're fucking despicable to say "It's not the same" "It's not as bad". You've clearly never loved someone who was differently abled or mentally handicapped and never had to deal with the pain and suffering that comes from just what that word connotates to today's fucking society. 

Congrats, Glee. You've just spited people into saying it even more. Personally, I don't agree with the PSA, but that's just me.

Anyway, go back to being the lighthearted, tongue-in-cheek show that you used to be, and get off the soapbox, already.

That PSA is retarded

What about use of the words honky, whitebread, gringo and redneck??? Sorry, I forgot, those aren't offensive because they are only used to insult whitey.... 

THIS is RETARDED its not a crime to be offended in this country i can say what i want so shove it in your GAY half kike spic retarded nigger mouth

I think this is BS, it left everything out except it's not ok to call me a "cracker", "honky" or another name for us whiteboys, this make it seem to me that only us white folks are the racist and no one else is being addressed.

Did you really just call a PSA retarted?

I grew up in the 70's using the word "retarted" as a negative modifiers for everything from homework assignments to calls by sporting officials to actual people and their behavior.  It was common vernacular for the time and my age at that time.  Fortunately I grew up and learned that my behavior was unkind to people who have mental disabilites and their loved ones.  It would be great if you could come join us at the grown up table now.

You have every right to call whatever or whomever you'd care to retarted or whatever negative modifier you choose, as we have free speech in this country.  Just please expect me to use my right to free speech and call you an asshole.  Asshole.

Dennis, some bedtime reading for you.  Here's hoping you'll offer an apology to those you disregarded in your piece.http://psychcentral.com/blog/a...

Hi,I think the problem began because a lot of people who have down syndrome are typically thought of as being retarded. Usually people with down syndrome have a learning disability but are not "retarded." So it is offensive to insult people with a different number of chromosomes by calling them this... Would you like your child with a learning disability (think adhd, or Autism, or that one where you see everything backwards.) to be called retarded. No I think not, because in todays society "retard," has a negative meaning. I do understand, because I used to say "retard," and "retarded" in reference to people who had their head up their ass. i also used to use "gay" as a another word meaning lame or dumb... But, some people get offended, with so many beautiful, descriptive terms in the English language, why not use some other terminology.  Also if you ever refer to someone who has different facial features as retarded please know that they do understand exactly what you say. See, I have down syndrome and my face looks a lot different then some. But, i hear the snickers and see people stare, it's not contagious and I try my very hardest to achieve everything I have, so please stop putting me down... I was made this way.

Just some cliff notes for you who are too lazy to do your homework before you publish your ignorance about a subject.

From Dave Hinsburger - Advocate

The people who 'ARE' what the 'R' word refers to have a long history.

They have been torn from families and cast into institutions.

They have been beaten, hosed down, over medicated, under nourished, sterilized, brutalized, victimized.

They have been held captive, have been enslaved, have had their being given over to the state.

They are the group in society most likely to be physically, sexually and financially abused.

They are the group least likely to see justice, experience fair play, receive accommodation or support within the justice system.

They are the group most likely to be bullied, most likely to be tyrannized, most likely to be the target of taunts.

They are the least likely to have their hurt taken seriously, physical hurt, emotional hurt, spiritual hurt.

They are most likely to be ignored when they speak of pain, have their words diminished by an assumption of diminished capacity.

They are the least likely to ever be seen as equal, as equivalent and entirely whole.

They are the victim of some of the most widespread and pervasive prejudices imaginable.

They are those that the Nazi's thought unworthy of life, they are those targeted by geneticists for non-existence, they need fear those who wear black hats and those who wear white coats.

They are educated only under protest, they are included as a concession rather than a right, they are neighbours only because petitions failed to keep them out.

They are kept from the leadership of their own movement, they are ignored by the media, their stories are told to glorify Gods that they do not worship.

That they are a 'people' is questioned even though they have a unique history, a unique voice, a unique perception of the world.

That they are a 'community' is questioned even though they have commonality, they have mutual goals, they have a collective vision of the future.

That they are have a legitimate place at the table is questioned simply because no one's ever offered a seat.

They are a people.

They ask for respect and receive pity.

They ask for fair play and are offered charity.

They ask for justice and wipe spittle off their face.

They ask to silence words that brutalize them and their concerns are trivialized.

They ask to walk safely through their communities and yet bullies go unpunished.

They ask to participate fully and they are denied access and accommodation and acceptance.

And this is NOW.

Wow Dennis, as a writer I would hope you would have a larger vocab to be able to part with a word.  What a fine cause you've taken on to defend a word that is used to hurt a group of people who don't normally defend themselves (but we, as their advocates, will).  You are right - the "R" word isn't like the "N" word in that you would be hard-pressed to find a group of kids with disabilities calling each other a "retard".  What the PSA did try to do, however, is to promote the idea of making the "R" word as socially unacceptable as the "N" word (and many others).  Is that too much to ask? 

P.S. People like "Grammar Nazi" won't be the ones allocating advertising dollars toward sites like this one (he doesn't get enough allowance).  And, by the way, Freedom of Speech simply means that we cannot have you locked up for using the "r" word.  It also means that you cannot have us locked up for calling you an insensitive, ignorant a$$hole for using it. 

Dennis, you clearly know nothing about the history of people with developmental disabilities.  Do some research before you write crap like this.

You are obviously ignorant.   Intectually disabled are historically an abused and oppressed group.   The R word is offensive and promotes discrimination against those with mental disabilities regardless of their character or  faculties, which are often no immediately apparent or understood.

I am not OK with this add, my 4 yr old who is special needs DOES NOT NEED TO HEAR THESE WORDS.  My 4yr old was in the room watching Glee with me, he loves to hear the singing and the music and plays with his toys during the "boring talking stuff" ... I do NOT want to hear this or see this again ... this went too far for public TV.

I am truly horrified by this ignorant piece. While the word "retard" has a dictionary definition that is not in and of itself offensive, when the word is used as a pejorative it is not accurate, it is not kind, and it is offensive. When individuals use phrases like "that's so retarded", they are not speaking precisely or accurately; rather, they are equating the condition of being retarded with something they usually deem stupid, boring, worthless, etc. When used as a pejorative, any word has the potential to be offensive. It just so happens that words like "gay" and "retarded" are en vogue today. Other words were used casually in the past, but now we know better than to use them. Some of us don't use them out of political correctness, others of us don't use them because we're smart and thoughtful enough to pick more precise terms.

By dismissing the progressive and bold messages Glee is promoting, you are perpetuating bigotry and ignorance. Even the link that you've attached indicates that labeling an individual as "retarded" is offensive. Shame on you for writing assumptions as facts and reducing sensitivity to a long-discriminated against population as "PCism on the comeback". More empathetic and intelligent people might call it something you are clearly lacking:  kindness on the comeback.

I am truly horrified by this ignorant piece. While the word "retard" has a dictionary definition that is not in and of itself offensive, when the word is used as a pejorative it is not accurate, it is not kind, and it is offensive. When individuals use phrases like "that's so retarded", they are not speaking precisely or accurately; rather, they are equating the condition of being retarded with something they usually deem stupid, boring, worthless, etc. When used as a pejorative, any word has the potential to be offensive. It just so happens that words like "gay" and "retarded" are en vogue today. Other words were used casually in the past, but now we know better than to use them. Some of us don't use them out of political correctness, others of us don't use them because we're smart and thoughtful enough to pick more precise terms.

By dismissing the progressive and bold messages Glee is promoting, LA Weekly is perpetuating bigotry and ignorance. Even the link that you've attached indicates that labeling an individual as "retarded" is offensive. Shame on you for writing assumptions as facts and reducing sensitivity to a long-discriminated against population as "PCism on the comeback". More empathetic and intelligent people might call it something LA Weekly is clearly lacking:  kindness on the comeback.

They didnt say anything is wrong with calling Jane Lynch a dyke.....

PC-ism sucks, every single person in the world thinks in terms of stereotypes, and there are degrading and insulting terms to use for every type of person, but you have to choose to be degraded or insulted by all those nasty 'letter-words.' If I chose to get offended ever time someone called me a 'b-word' or 'c-word' or whitey or snowflake or gringo or whatever, I would be a much less happy person.  This is America, we shouldnt be frowned upon for using certain words. Whatever happened to 'sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me' ...?

UR an ASS

Watch this video and you will quickly learn about the horrific discrimination, abuse and neglect of people with intellectual disabilities even as recently as the 1970's. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

If you think there isn't an ugly history of discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities, then you need to do some research about the abuse and neglect that used to be, and unfortunately is, still present in institutions. Any people born with an intellectual disability were hidden and sent directly to an institution up until 40 years ago. Tell me that isn't discrimination or abuse like slavery was.

Also, you say that when people say "don't be a retard" means don't ACT slow or don't hinder your accomplishment, obviously showing that you think that person has control over those actions. People born with intellectual disabilities (or mental retardation) are not making poor choices or mistakes like you or your friend who trips or does something stupid. There is a difference between being stupid and having an intellectual disability.

To address the comment below about the use of the word "idiot." You are correct, that USED to be the terminology used to describe people with intellectual disabilities, but it as well gained the negative connotation that "retard(ed)" has now. The issue is less in the words and more in the way that our society views people with intellectual disabilities. Eventually "intellectual disability" will also gain the same negative connotation unless we can raise the status and the level of respect our society has for people with intellectual disabilties so that it no longer becomes acceptable. Much like how the n-word and other slurs are no longer acceptable because those people are viewed as an important and respected part of our society now.

That was the most retarded psa ever!

God help you to never have a sibling, a parent, a child to force you to understand just how painful and yes, inappropriate "retard" is.

"Cracker" was notably absent. Also why aren't they calling for the ban of "idiot"? That was the same thing decades ago. Rather than appease these busybody phonies, I'll say whatever I want. People are too sensitive these days. No wonder everyone is whining about bullying!