(Matthew Jonas/Longmont Times-Call file)
Re: “Using the ‘R-word’ just isn’t funny,” April 26 Jeremy Meyer column; and “Eliminating the ‘R-word’ — sensitivity or censorship?,” May 3 letters to the editor.
Two Sundays ago, there was an article about the offensiveness of the word “retarded,” and last Sunday there were two letters in response — one of which condemned the word entirely, and one that acknowledged the offensiveness of the word, but sensibly spoke up for freedom of speech. But none of these writers considered the big picture.
The word “retarded” came into use in the ’50s as a kinder, gentler alternative to words like “imbecile” and “idiot,” which were considered offensive. Then it started being used as a pejorative and became offensive.
These overly sensitive people should realize that whatever less offensive term is chosen to replace the R-word will eventually become more offensive as people start to use it as an insult. The only alternative is just to stop talking about these unfortunate folks at all — that is, to ignore their existence. Is that what these offended people really want?
P. Scott Williams, Denver
This letter was published in the May 10 edition.
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