End the R-word Poster Series

When they were originally introduced, the terms “mental retardation” or “mentally retarded” were medical terms with a specifically clinical connotation; however, the pejorative forms, “retard” and “retarded” have been used widely in today’s society to degrade and insult people with intellectual disabilities. Additionally, when “retard” and “retarded” are used as synonyms for “dumb” or “stupid” by people without disabilities, it only reinforces painful stereotypes of people with intellectual disabilities being less valued members of humanist.

For today’s prompt (social issues) I chose to focus on spreading the word to end the use of the r-word. Too often I hear this word used as an insult or for something deemed stupid. Even when the r-word is not said to harm someone with a disability, it is hurtful, it is exclusive, it is offensive and it is derogatory. Read other people’s stories and pledge to @endtheword with @specialolympics and @bestbuddies at r-word.org.

As for my design, I found this design idea on Pinterest one day and thought I would try to make it my own a bit and also make it a series. I might even re-use these for a Diversity Week my club, NMU Best Buddies is putting on in March.