Searcy (LP)  “Spread the word to end the word” is the pledge taken to stop the hate speech using the “R-word” and to avoid exclusion of people with disabilities.  Mentally disabled children and adults go through an extreme amount of pain. A lot of the emotional pain is caused by bullying. When a person says the word “retarded”, referring to something other than the proper use, it is inappropriate and hurtful.

When Allysa Martin encounters people bullying  her mentally disabled brother, Jerry,  she makes sure to explain why it is cruel. She states “I  get very upset and tell them that isn’t okay and that he has feelings just like everyone else does. He isn’t any different than you, me, or anyone walking this Earth.”

More than 701,338 people have taken the pledge. Courtney Anderson, a freshman at SHS, has taken the pledge. She states “I took the pledge after I met my best friend Allysa in fourth grade. She has a mentally retarded brother that suffers from epilepsy. I used to say the word, until I found out what it really meant. I hear so many people calling other people ‘retarded’, or calling themselves that, and so on.”

Many people that use this word do not know what it means and are just saying it to fit in socially. If more people knew the proper use of the word, fewer people would say it. The only time when it is acceptable to say the word “retarded” is in medical terms. Intellectual disablilty is the proper synonym  of mental retardation.

“I think it’s pathetic how people say the word without even thinking about how actual people suffer from it, or what it actually means. I would love to stop that.” states Anderson.

Take action to stop the improper use of this word. You can take the pledge online at www.r-word.org. You should share the pledge on social media and tell friends and family members about it. If you hear someone using the word inappropriately, make sure to correct them. Always stand up for someone that is being bullied and do your best to stop the inappropriate use of the word “retarded”.