Respectful Heart

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Please view this video: Spread the Word to End the Word

From www.r-word.org:

“The R-word, ‘retard,’ is slang for the term mental retardation. Mental retardation was what doctors, psychologists, and other professionals used to describe people with significant intellectual impairment. Today the r-word has become a common word used by society as an insult for someone or something stupid. For example, you might hear someone say, ‘That is so retarded’ or ‘Don’t be such a retard.’ When used in this way, the r-word can apply to anyone or anything, and is not specific to someone with a disability. But, even when the r-word is not said to harm someone with a disability, it is hurtful.”

Today has been set aside as a National Day to Spread the Word to End the Word. Please join us in making the pledge to stop the word at www.r-word.org

Out of a respectful heart I ask that you think about your choice of words today and how they may hurt other people. Not just the r-word, but other words you use in your every day life that may have a negative effect on others. Even using words to disrespect yourself can hurt not only you, but those who love and look up to you. If your children hear you put yourself down they may feel they too are inferior; they are made in the image of you and look up to you for who they are and who they will become.  We are all fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God and should respect each other for the perfection of who we are; exactly who God made us each to be.

Related articles

• Spread the Word to End the Word (ctworkingmoms.com)
• Ending the R-word: Ban or understand it? (cnn.com)

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