196

16552 readers

2667 users here now

Be sure to follow the rule before you head out.

Rule: You must post before you leave.

^other^ ^rules^

founded 1 year ago

MODERATORS

[email protected]

536

lemmy user(ule)s: "this sign won't stop me because i can't read" (lemmy.cafe)

submitted 5 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

189 comments fedilink hide all child comments

https://www.specialolympics.org/stories/impact/why-the-r-word-is-the-r-slur

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] Squirrel 16 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (2 children)

I don't think I've used the word once since high school. Had it been generally unacceptable back then, I wouldn't have done so. I graduated high school in 2004, and it was at least an acceptable insult back then (though not to call a disabled person), I think. I was a jackass in high school, though, so I could be wrong.

Either way, it offends people now, so we shouldn't say it. It's that simple. Deliberately offending people just makes you an asshole.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 months ago (1 children)

I think saying it was acceptable is a stretch. I agree it was certainly more commonplace and more acceptable than now, but it was still criticized a good bit.

[–] Squirrel 2 points 5 months ago

You're absolutely right. I meant it was "acceptable" -- I don't recall hearing people judged for saying it, but that was among an immature, high school crowd. It was definitely considered offensive to use as a label, rather than an insult (which was on the same level as f*g; not acceptable, but commonplace).