“End the R-Word day”

Fritz Klug
News Editor

Retard: 1 “a holding back or slowing down : retardation 2 “a retarded person; also : a person held to resemble a retarded person in behavior”

The term, as defined by Webster’s Dicitonary, is, for some, an old time word. For others, it is an offensive slang describing those with cognitive impairments.

For the second year students at Western Michigan University are uniting to bring awareness to the effect the word has on people.

The “End the “R” Word Day” includes students and faculty from the Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, WMU student athletes and area Special Olympics athletes and family members will be asking the campus to pledge to stop using the R-Word.

This year, stickers will be handed out after people pledge, as a way to show people on campus that are in support to stop using the word.

“Most people don’t realize how hurtful and dehumanizing the word can be,” Jessica Rapelje, event organizer said.

People with disabilities are not the only ones who are offended, but also their friends and families, she added.

The idea came when Rapelje went to the Speical Olympics in Boside, Id., and saw how other schools took part in the program.

She wanted WMU to be one of those schools.

Last year, the group collected some 2,000 signatures across campus, a number Rapelje wants to increase.

Tables will be set up tomorrow in the Bernhard Center, Student Recreation Center, and College of Health and Human Services.

Short URL: http://www.westernherald.com/?p=15412

Posted by HeraldAdmin on Mar 9 2010. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

Cody Kimball
Web Manager: I'm a Communication Student at WMU, a SCUBA Diver, Boater, Ordained Minister, Notary Public, Web Designer, Film Maker, DJ, and of course a Journalist. Born and raised in Port Huron, MI and a graduate of SC4. http://www.codykimball.com