It's time to strike the R-word from official use
By The Bakersfield Californian
State Sen. Fran Pavley is right. It's time to say good riddance to the "R-word."
Pavley, D-Agoura Hills, introduced state legislation this week to remove the term "retarded" from wording in state codes and statutes that refer to people with developmental disabilities. All instances would be replaced with "intellectual disabilities."
It's usually folly for government to attempt to regulate anything as organic as language, at least in general use. But government can certainly attempt to strike a term from use in government documents, and this one is a good candidate. As our lexicon evolves and changes, words can take on hateful and offensive meanings, and that's been the case with "retarded." Pavley's bill does not impose penalties; it simply modernizes the language of government by replacing antiquated terminology with more civilized and respectful words.
Perhaps the most compelling reason to stop using the R-word is the fact that the developmentally disabled themselves don't like the label. Groups like the Special Olympics and ARC (which has changed its name from Association for Retarded Citizens) have launched public campaigns to eliminate the word from everyday speech. And the federal government and 44 states have already removed it from state statutes. Removing it from California's laws will further promote the message that the word is outdated and no longer acceptable.
Facebook
Twitter
Mobile
RSS
Most CommentedMost Popular
Two cellphones confiscated last week from witnesses to the in-custody death of David Sal Silva were returned Wednesday to the attorney representing the witnesses.
About two dozen protesters stood in front of Kern County Superior Court next to the Liberty Bell Thursday morning to make a statement about police brutality.
The death of a man in custody following a prolonged struggle with Kern County Sheriff's deputies and CHP officers and the subsequent fracas over confiscated witness cellphones have gained international attention and raised concerns here that the incidents could tarnish the county's emerging...
Sheriff’s investigators served a search warrant on Kern Medical Center and the Mary K. Shell Mental Health Center seeking medical records to find possible reasons for David Sal Silva’s behavior prior to and during his encounter with law enforcement, The Californian learned Friday.
Blood stains are still visible on the sidewalk at the corner of Flower Street and Palm Drive, where a Bakersfield man struggled with as many as nine officers and later died this week.
Responding to what he called a case that “has consumed the media and our community,” Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood said Tuesday he has asked the FBI to conduct a “parallel” investigation into the death of Bakersfield father of four David Sal Silva, who died May 8 after he was beaten by deputies.
Classes were canceled at Bakersfield High School Monday after three small bottle bomb explosions struck campus, authorities said.
Two cellphones confiscated last week from witnesses to the in-custody death of David Sal Silva were returned Wednesday to the attorney representing the witnesses.