Is the word "retarded" really that bad? Apparently some people take certain words so personally that they rally for the stifling of the speech of others. Yes, some words are offensive, and when offensive people use offensive words, they become even more offensive. However, there is never any reason to bully someone into apologizing for merely speaking words. Ann Coulter is currently under scrutiny (when isn't she?) for using the R-word, and now parents of disabled children want her to apologize.
A lot of words once used to be derogatory ways to describe a person who is mentally disabled; idiot, stupid, dummy, etc., etc., etc. Now many of these words are used differently. While they insult intelligence, they're certainly not specifically targeting someone with Down's Syndrome or any other chromosomal defects. Over the past decade, the word "retarded," along with retard and any other version of the word, has evolved to be just as neutral in use as idiot, stupid, and the other words mentioned above. When Ann Coulter referred to "the retarded vote" in this election going toward Obama, she wasn't literally referring to those who are mentally disabled. She was simply calling liberals stupid like she always does.
Curiously enough, Sarah Palin has been completely silent as she has before spoken out against the use of the R-word, because her youngest child is born of a chromosomal abnormality. But other parents want Ann Coulter to apologize for the comments she made.
It's hard to stand up for Ann Coulter because she is, for lack of a better word, garbage. Her political opinions are garbage. The way she talks about other women is garbage. Everything about her—right down to her strangely hypnotic Adam's apple—is just pure garbage. But you now what? Even the most trashy and idiotic of Americans have the right to free speech, and just because some people don't like some words, doesn't mean that some people should be bullied into apologizing for using those words.
If you don't like freedom of speech, leave. England is pretty nice this time of year, and you'll get arrested there for making "nasty" jokes on Facebook like Matthew Woods. He was just arrested and jailed in the UK for making jokes about missing child April Jones. See what happens when your speech isn't protected? If you try to police what people say over what others think is "nasty" or "unacceptable," then where do you draw the line? Demanding an apology from Ann Coulter will solve nothing but grease the wheels of total control of the words people say, and that, no offense, is just retarded.
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Crime analyst & profiler Chelsea Hoffman can be found on Huffington Post or Chelsea Hoffman: Case to Case. You can follow her on Twitter @TheRealChelseaH or contact her via her personal blog. Fan the Facebook page for updates on missing persons cases, issues in civil rights and details on Chelsea's fiction works.
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Comments: 27 ( 1 removed by Chelsea Hoffman )
If there are people, like Dan Niblock (the dad in the linked article) who are asking Coulter to apologize, and asking her and others to stop using the word, then that has nothing to do with free speech violations.
Unless there's more going on here than has been reported, the two situations are completely different.
As for the word "retarded", I think Niblock does a pretty good job of explaining why he (and many others) consider it offensive and hurtful. People who disagree or don't care and choose to continue to use it may find that there are social consequences similar to using racial and/or ethnic slurs that were considered acceptable in the past but are now generally frowned upon.
0_o
That would have been "interesting."
She also didn't say your kid's name. No offense of course.
Chelsea
It's hard to stand up for Ann Coulter because she is, for lack of a better word, garbage. Her political opinions are garbage. The way she talks about other women is garbage. Everything about her—right down to her strangely hypnotic Adam's apple—is just pure garbage. But you now what? Even the most trashy and idiotic of Americans have the right to free speech, and just because some people don't like some words, doesn't mean that some people should be bullied into apologizing for using those words.
Wil B.
If there are people calling for Ann Coulter to be jailed for using the word "retarded", then they're wrong, and doing so would be a violation of her right to free speech.
August Lady
In this case, taking into consideration Coulter's entire comment, it was offensive, but technically it wasn't in reference to a particular group. Offensive, yes; apology, not really
Such thoughtful comments are what is sorely needed here on GN by members discussing an articles issue or subject. Inasmuch, as it has often become the norm of some members to just place a short asinine comment in an attempt to put other members down as their way of making a smartass point. Once an asinine remark has been posted, it draws a mob mentality by certain ideological group members who revel in the opportunity to pounce on the member in a free for all type lambasting. I don't blame this sort of disrespectful actions entirely on the members, for there are also a few of GN authors who encourage such ganging up on members who wrote an honest comment. They do so, simply because the members comment was not inline with the groups established ideology.
It would seem that we as a membership have at times forgotten how to write constructive comments with substance and thought, as points for opposition debate. Choosing instead, to write annoying and disparaging remarks which brings nothing to the discussion nor serves any purpose in a debate. Remarks which always create animosity and usually result in vitriolic responses.
It would be my opinion that we should all take lessons in proper and respective debating from these members.
You were never on my mind when writing my comment. I have seen only respect and honest debate from those having posted comments to this article thus far. (well all, but a newbie who dislikes the author, but she was at least honest in her comment)
What Ann said speaks volumes - and those who hear it and hear of it are aware of this. And they can point out how wrong it is to refer to people in this manner. If Ann ever wishes to apologize, that needs to come from her - not a demand from others. Once we start demanding apologies - when given, they are insincere, at best.
And yes, where was Sarah Palin, the voice of mothers with disabled children? Oh, my bad - probably watching Bristol on Dancing With the Stars.
If you can answer that honestly, you will have explained why the word "retard" is not acceptable, and then we can all be done here.
Also, since when did asking for an apology for an insult equal stifling free speech?
2. Demanding apologies from people who are not sorry, just to make them say sorry -- is an exercise in bullying to serve your own agenda.
2. Asking for an apology for a very real insult that belittles the worth of my child and others like him is not bullying. It's confronting hatred and intolerance. Intolerance that you are showing in spades.
Goodbye, Chelsea.
2. I'm sorry, I don't recall hearing Ann Coulter mention your son's name. Unless she did. What's his name and how does she know him?