Board Thread:Community Voting/@comment-24949689-20160728015221/@comment-5643582-20160728192435

Riolu777 wrote: There's a point I want to make, that relates to me personally. See, we can all fling around "retard" as much as we want but, to my knowledge, none of us have mental disabilities. So the word has no personal connection to us, as we have no condition that has caused us to receive that insult in our lives.

Since I'm gay, when people use the word "gay" to refer to something stupid (and they have, I've experienced it a lot), that personally affects me, as much as I don't want it to. Because that usage of the word makes it so that gay = stupid. The implication is that to be gay is to be stupid. And then people will say "oh, I don't mean that at all! I don't have a problem with gay people!" But your continual usage of the word, despite an actual gay person asking for you to not use it in that way, indicates otherwise. It's far easier to swap out "gay" from that usage in your vernacular than to continue using it in a way that will upset gay people that you personally know or don't personally know. And from what I've witnessed, nobody on this wiki uses it in that way in front of me. Or Rus. Or Spider. Or whoever. We've all determined that that's not an appropriate usage of that word, which I'm thankful for, as it's certainly used that way around certain people I know IRL.

So I fail to understand why we can't come to that conclusion with "retard." Fine, if you're referring to a chemical that inhibits flames, call it a retardant. But again, remember, I have not been the victim of being called a "retard" because of a mental condition. I think the same goes for all of you, correct me if I'm wrong. So therefore, I can't be, nor can you, be the absolute arbiter of the usage of that word, because it's never profoundly, personally affected me, as I've never been the "other" that is implicated in calling someone a "retard" as opposed to not calling someone a "retard." I sure have been that "other" when the word "gay" is thrown around, and it's not a fun feeling at all. It's not enjoyable being relegated to a position inferior to other people simply because you're not like them (straight), and because a word describing you has been adopted as a way to call someone or something "stupid." Put yourself in those shoes, put yourself in the shoes of a person with a mental condition, imagine talking to people who throw around "retarded" as a way to call something or someone "dumb" or "stupid." And then realize that when they use the word that way, it's implying that you are on par with that "retarded" object, because society has already deemed you as "retarded." Fun stuff, eh? We aren't a welcoming community to a person with disabilities if it's okay to say "retard" and "retarded."

I understand that I can't change how people talk or what words they use, but I want everyone to just consider that. Thank you... Also, sorry for sort of hijacking this "vote." I vote No.

Edit: Another related thought. I have a feeling that if me, Rus, Spider, Obi, and other openly LGBT+ people on this wiki weren't out, or we didn't come here, then there would be debates on whether or not "gay" meaning "stupid" is an appropriate usage of the word. Since we are here, I haven't seen people say "so-and-so is gay." But with "retarded," it's an entirely different case. It's like the absence (or unvoiced presence) of people with disabilities means it's alright to use a word they would certainly object to. I don't get it, guys. I honestly don't really care if people use gay as stupid. :P It's a poor use of the word yes but it doesn't offend me, maybe that's why I don't think retard should be blocked. IDK :P I just think people get too offended too easily. :P I wouldn't use either of the words in what people would consider an offensive way because I have better vocabulary. :P But like apple proved, there are legitimate ways to use "retard".