The end of the word

March 3 was the date of the second-annual campaign to end use of the word “retarded.” Youth leaders exceeded their goal of gathering 100,000 pledges supporting the movement.

The campaign was organized to engage schools across the nation in ending the hurt caused to people by derogatory use of the word. According to specialolympics.org, youth across the country were asked questions about their experience with the word in an online survey created by Harris Interactive staff and the University of Massachusetts in Boston.

Over one thousand youth between the ages of 8 and 18 responded to the survey. Nearly 96 percent of youth reported to have heard the word, and half of those who had heard it felt bad or sorry for the person being insulted by the word.

“Most people don’t think of this word as the language of hate, but that’s exactly what it feels like to millions of people with intellectual disabilities, their families and friends,” said celebrity activist John C. McGinley on the r-word.org Web site.

“The campaign is an ongoing effort by the Special Olympics, Best Buddies International, and our supporters,” said Jean Hansen, director of Youth Games and Outreach in Oregon.

Hansen has been working with over 20 Oregon schools involved in the campaign devoted to educating and raising awareness of the issue, and teaching students that the use of the R-word is hurtful, even when used in casual conversation.

“We even had a group of students at the March 3 Portland Trailblazer game. They had a booth where they promoted awareness. They also received recognition during the game,” Hansen said.

Legislators have been working on changing the name of the state Department of Mental Retardation to the state Department of Developmental Services, and the change has already been made in 43 states, according to mass.gov, the official Web site of Massachusetts.

Youth leaders hope to make this an annually recognized day and make the R- word disappear for good.

“Students have been amazingly supportive and passionate about this campaign.  They understand that respectful and inclusive language is essential and that it’s important to educate others of the hurtful effects of the use of the R-word,” Hansen said.