re: When will gay jokes from student hecklers become unacceptable?

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quote: ”You don’t call retarded people retards. It’s bad taste. You call your friends retards … when they’re acting retarded.”

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Actually in College Station, we're making pretty big strides towards not using the word "retards" in any context. It's degrading and insulting.

I cringe each time I see it on this site.

Currently there's a "spread the word to end the word" campaign on campus:

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Please join the nationwide campaign to Spread the Word to end the Word.

Retarded has been a word that has been used for decades. What started out as a medical term has morphed into an adjective used by most to describe something dysfunctional or stupid.

Because it is so widespread, alot of people don't realize how offensive it can be for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

Here at Texas A&M University, one of our core values is respect. Please pledge to stop the using R-word and promote Respect. We are more alike than we are different.

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I made this suggestion on January 1--that we try to do better about how we talk to people this year. I think I was called a retard in response .

This is an issue that's close to my heart; but I understand most of you don't think twice about tossing around that language . But even if you pause to think for 2 or 3 seconds before saying/typing it, at least you're considering it. And I think that's a good start.