Spread the Word to End the Word [46]

We've all heard someone say "that's so retarded" or "she's so OCD." Sometimes we are even the culprits. But that ends now. The word "retard(ed)" was originally introduced as part of the medical term "mental retardation," but today it is used as a degrading synonym to "dumb" or "stupid," which only reinforces painful prejudices against those with intellectual disabilities. Obama signed Rosa's Law on October 5, 2010. This removes the term "mental retardation" in any form from federal health, education, and labor policy and replaces it with "intellectual disabilities." Rosa's Law is only part of the movement across the country to pledge to stop using the word "retard(ed)." And when I say pledge, I literally mean sign your name to a pledge (at least an online one). And, although you can take the pledge any day, all the cool kids are doing it today, 3.07.12, because it's the national day to pledge! If you'd like to join me, my fellow OWU Active Minders, and a growing number of Americans, here's the link: r-word.org.