My wife used to teach adults with cognitive and developmental disabilities. They learned Shakespeare.
The reason the term “mental retardation” came into being was to indicate a slowness of learning. And while it’s a complicated topic, it’s arguably true that many of them do learn some things more slowly.
But they absolutely learn.
They know the term “retard” and know it applies to them. They feel pain knowing that it is used.
And it’s unfair. When I say they learned Shakespeare - upon more than one occasion I saw her class discussing the topic intelligently and with full understanding.
There are plenty of other words people can use that don’t have the same harm.
And yes, some will say “other words used to be like that and aren’t”. Great! Use them! "Colored’ used to be the preferred term for people who are Black, but I’d love to sit by and watch you call someone that.
Removed by mod
No.
My wife used to teach adults with cognitive and developmental disabilities. They learned Shakespeare.
The reason the term “mental retardation” came into being was to indicate a slowness of learning. And while it’s a complicated topic, it’s arguably true that many of them do learn some things more slowly.
But they absolutely learn.
They know the term “retard” and know it applies to them. They feel pain knowing that it is used.
And it’s unfair. When I say they learned Shakespeare - upon more than one occasion I saw her class discussing the topic intelligently and with full understanding.
There are plenty of other words people can use that don’t have the same harm.
And yes, some will say “other words used to be like that and aren’t”. Great! Use them! "Colored’ used to be the preferred term for people who are Black, but I’d love to sit by and watch you call someone that.