When I worked for a non-profit who provided housing and care services, the term they chose was "developmentally delayed."

and that's fine, like I said, in talking about it we

rarely say "mental retardation", but on the IEP,

which is a legal document, that's the term that

has to be used for an IQ under 70. between 60

and 70 they may use Mild Mental Retardation.

When I worked for a non-profit who provided housing and care services, the term they chose was "developmentally delayed."

Not that its bad, but delayed implies it will get better. Sometimes in children they are in fact mentally delayed and later catch up. But what about those that are not delayed. Not having a term to acknowledge them individually seems like people are so ashamed of them as to pretend nothing is different. When there is nothing wrong with them as people, so why should we be ashamed. We classify people as above average intelligence and average intelligence and such everyday. There is no need to be mad, ashamed, etc at classification. Be mad when you use it to attack others. My friend has a little brother with autism and down syndrome. He is, and always will be, mentally below his peers. But, he has surpassed what doctors ever thought he could learn. He is in the top of his special ed class, and on the honor roll at his school (its a school for special needs children). So, there he is above average. We classify, which is fine. But we have to remember that our classifications also change in settings. That is why I said before its the word not the intent. He is, and has been labeled, as mentally retarded. Ask him what that means he explains the clinical definition (minus all the big words) and feels no shame in it. Why? Because there is no intent to belittle. Where as when another kid at his old school called him stupid, he was actually crying.

I just stumbled across this video on the Yahoo homepage. It talks about the use of the word "retarded."

The "R" Word

What say you, discriminatory to use it?

Personally, I do not use it, however, I hear it often and, at times, it makes me cringe, but for the most part, it just passes by.

I remember people using the "R" word much more years ago. These days they use more colorful phrases. Like "gee, you must ride the short bus" etc… No matter how you slice it, it is a slur. I, myself, have used one of those phrases as a joke. But as TheNightGoat said, many times we just don't realize it. /mellow.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

I just heard the most ignorant thing today at work. I was at a site doing tech support, it was about lunch time and I heard a woman complaining about her Asian co-worker's food stinking up the break room. Behind her back, of course. And of course the lady who the one was complaining to made the oh-so-unoriginal-cat-reference because everyone knows that all Asians eat cats. /rolleyes.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':rolleyes:' />

I don't think people even realise when they're being racist or discriminating sometimes.

I like the smell of Asian food. /rolleyes.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':rolleyes:' />

idk I always thought Asians really do eat dogs and cats. It's a cultural thing. In some countries they would think it terrible that we eat cattle. and some people think its awful that we eat pigs. If some countries eat dog or cat, it's appalling to us, but it's their culture. I never thought I was discriminating by saying that that's what they do. Am i wrong?

idk I always thought Asians really do eat dogs and cats. It's a cultural thing. In some countries they would think it terrible that we eat cattle. and some people think its awful that we eat pigs. If some countries eat dog or cat, it's appalling to us, but it's their culture. I never thought I was discriminating by saying that that's what they do. Am i wrong?

In certain areas of China, dogs are raised on dog farms for food. Just different cultures.

Horses are still used as food for humans in Europe, South America and Asia.

Australia imports large quantities of horse meat, to Europe.

The odds the meat by products listed in dog food, are horse.

There are horse slaughter houses all over our country.

As a horse person, it saddens me. The horse is a very social animal and loving as any dog or cat.

The western hemisphere seems taboo on eating what we call our pets. We just have not got as far, as feeding our pets someone elses pet.

Though alternative dog foods are becoming more available and many are on the market.

idk I always thought Asians really do eat dogs and cats. It's a cultural thing. In some countries they would think it terrible that we eat cattle. and some people think its awful that we eat pigs. If some countries eat dog or cat, it's appalling to us, but it's their culture. I never thought I was discriminating by saying that that's what they do. Am i wrong?

It depends on how you say and mean it. I was in South Korea for a Tae Kwon Do contest one year. We were out in the town and we saw a dog running around. He was friendly enough but appeared to be stray. As we were playing with him, down the street some construction workers had just gotten off for lunch I guess. We all of a sudden heard a whistle. The dog perked up and ran happily to the construction workers. We figured he was a dog of theirs. But as we are watching they pick up the dog, break his back and cook him right there. We were just like 0.0 we didnt know what to do. But they all sat down and happily ate their meal. No one gave it a second glance either. Now I have Korean friends here, they would NEVER do that to a dog. Its the culture not the race. So as long as you say it in a context that reflects its the culture and the place instead of what Iv heard "They are (racial slur here) so keep your animals away."