Spread the Word

Nicole Calvert (right) and her buddy, Ambar Salcedo (left)
Nicole Calvert (right) and her buddy, Ambar Salcedo (left)

Over the next week we will be featuring guest writers who will share their thoughts on the Spread the Word to End the Word campaign, which aims to spread awareness and bring an end to the use of the word “retarded.” Our first guest writer was the former president of the Best Buddies Club at Yorktown and is a current Freshman at Virginia Tech, Nicole Calvert. Please come back each day for new reflections.

 

The r-word. It may be one of the most commonly used offensive terms there is. It is hard to be mad or upset when someone uses the r-word because the majority of the time it is just a lack of awareness. That is why the Spread the Word to End the Word campaign is so important. I also want to congratulate Yorktown and their Spread the Word campaign because you guys almost completely ended the use of the r-word. Coming to Virginia Tech, a school in Southern Virginia I have seen the reappearance of the word and that is why it is important to Spread the Word because it is not just affecting one area. Your videos are being shared here in Blacksburg and by other students that have left Yorktown and our bubble and are taking the message with them and spreading it. The campaign really worked and that is how I know the message and the incredible work of Best Buddies Yorktown has made a difference.

On a personal level the r-word has affected my life because as much as the word has been twisted and bent to mean different things, it doesn’t. When people say that they aren’t using the word to mean mentally retarded, they are wrong. That is the definition of the world. If you are using the r-word to mean useless, stupid or dumb YOU are using hurtful language. You are making fun or hurting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and people like me. When you use the r-word you hurt me, my best friends and a whole community of people that are so much more than their disability. My best friends are kind, passionate, and incredible individuals and it’s time to spread the word to end the word because it’s time that we are all seen for our abilities instead of our disabilities.

Story continues below advertisement
Leave a comment
More to Discover

Comments (0)

All Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *