When do you hear the r-word used?

[SarahL]

Is it used to bully or as an insult? Or do people just use the word without thinking in everyday conversation?

Does it upset you? Do you think that it should be just as unacceptable as racist or sexist language?

Thanks for sharing your thoughts
Sarah

[SarahL]

[Nell]

Hello

People use it without really thinking what it means. Obviously, it can be used to deliberately hurt someone with LD but more often is it just used flippantly when people are being silly.

We need to raise people’s awareness about LD. If we challenge people when they use it then it will become unacceptable. This needs to be done in a friendly and non-confrontational way.

[SarahL]

Use of the r-word has come up before during anti-bullying week:

Ask the expert about bullying

My experiences of bullying I have been bullied both in public and online on social media. Once someone on a Facebook group called me the R-word for posting something about Dr Who. I left the group and reported the person to Facebook but I didn’t get a reply. Now I don’t involve myself with nasty people like that in a group or on my profile. Once, another person on Facebook started posting things about me, saying that I should calm down and stop liking my own posts or posting so much. So, I joi…

Also have a look at this about cyber bullying.

[Frumpy]

I get so mad when I hear people say the r-word, particularly when it is just in passing. My son is only very young but I would be furious if anyone called him the r-word.

However, I don’t think that is can be made illegal - just completely unacceptable. It is all about education and ensuring people with LD are part of mainstream society.