[Hold My Own]

http://www.wset.com/Global/story.asp?S=13225517

LU Athletes Team Up to Stop Use of the 'R' Word


Posted: Sep 27, 2010 5:13 PM EDT

Reporter: Lauren Compton l Photojournalist: Todd Densmore

Lynchburg,VA - Athletes at Liberty University are taking on a major challenge. In conjunction with Special Olympics they are working to get the entire athletic department to stop using the word "retard" or retarded.

The Piedmont Region Special Olympics Director Josh Walker says this is the first time an entire university athletic department has taken on this challenge.

It started with a football player at Liberty University who discovered just how hurtful this word is to people with special needs and their families.

The campaign hits close to home for reporter Lauren Compton as well. Her baby sister Sarah has Downs Syndrome, and she has heard the word several times in her life. While Sara may not understand exactly the meaning behind the word retarded it does hurt her to hear it.

Walker says it's pain like this the "Spread the Word to End the Word Campaign" hopes to stop.

"When they hear you say that they think they are not good enough that's what that word is really saying. It's saying to you can't do this," said Walker.

Flames football player Matt Camire says after working with Special Olympians this summer, he has become more sensitive to the word. He's on a mission to get all the athletes at LU to stop saying it.

"If we're going to make a change why not start with the athletic department, because a lot of kids on the student body look to us, and follow our lead," said Camire.

More than 200 LU athletes have all ready signed pledges vowing to stop using the word, and the momentum is spreading.

"Administrators and coaches have signed the pledge as well so it's cool to see that the coaches are buying in," said Camire.

And, with the help of these guys spreading the word on the field, they're now watching it spread on campus.

"It's just sort of blossomed before our eyes, because people really do understand that we don't want to disrespect people," said Walker.

ON THE WEB:

Spread the Word to End the Word: www.r-word.org

[PAmedic]

[Cider Jim]

Schfourteenteen wrote:

Looks like I'm a ratard.

[Schfourteenteen]

I also did not say RE-tard. Instead, I said RA-tard, both a reference to a wonderful movie and a parting joke at Resident Assistants.

Now that I've gone into some deep thought(maybe 4 seconds, I'm ADD) I have a question.

Is it offensive for a special needs person to call a fellow special needs person the R-word? Or does it fall under the N-word category, where it's okay for certain people to use the word, but not acceptable to the general public?

We need a special needs person to clear this up.

[Hold My Own]

We need a special needs person to clear this up.

This is the best he could come up with...leave him alone

[Rocketfan]

This topic is...

Wee - Todd - it

[RubberMallet]

agreed retarded.

see nick swardsen on the word retarded.