A Brief Overview Of The R Word Pledge Movement

By Evelyn Walls


There has been a concerted effort to stop the use of the word retard over the United States. This word is termed as very derogatory and its daily use in normal conversations is seen as very insensitive to the people dealing with all sorts of intellectual disabilities. It is for this very reason that the R word pledge was started in the year 2009.

Due consideration is being achieved to be given to the welfare of mentally or even physically challenged individuals and this led to the campaign for the use of more appropriate words. The main agenda for this movement is informing the public at large that these individuals, if regarded as any other people can be of gainful contribution to the society.

The pledge is usually driven and promoted through the Spread the Word to End the Word initiative. It came to be when several youth converged and thought of an idea on this during the Special Olympics Global Activation Summit. It was around 2009 in the World Winter games that this great movement got to be initiated.

The movement usually entails the students from all the country taking a pledge to never use the word retard in conversations and to also urge other individuals to do the same. This day set for commemorating this nationwide campaign is the 31st of March every year. Several public figures have been hugely condemned for the use of the word retard whereby some of them have been forced to make public apologies and even take the pledge themselves.

This movement usually aims at achieving its objectives through several ways. One among the ways that its supporters are encouraged to take part in spreading the message is through social media. People are usually advised to tweet that they will actively support the agenda of this campaign through their words and even deeds. The movement also has a Youtube channel and a Facebook page whereby the agenda is usually publicized. Interested parties are also encouraged to sign up for the newsletter so as to keep up to date with relevant information and even schedules for events.

There is also the carrying of a torch of respect through which people are able to show their support. The torch is usually passed on from one person to the other in all the states in America. During this period of around 46 days is also used for fund raising activities with an aim reaching more people.

Individuals are also encouraged to share their story with regards to the situations which led to them to join this movement. This usually happens in the website run by the movement. There are encouraged to write powerful and personal stories of their motivation for ensuring that intellectually disabled individuals are addressed in the rightful manner.

The movement also aims at equipping the participants with the most suitable ways of handling a case whereby they witness the use of that derogatory statement. This is especially the case since most situations tend to be not suitable for an intervention. Several celebrities have also played a huge part in spreading the agenda of this movement by actively giving it support.




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