The following is an excerpt from NBC News article, “The ‘R-word’, embraced by Joe Rogan and Elon Musk, inches back into the mainstream”, detailing how the R-word has crept back into the popular lexicon of language use. The story quotes both Special Olympics Chairman Timothy Shriver and Special Olympics Athlete and Inclusion Revolution Radio host Novie Craven, who provide important context on the harm caused by the term.
Timothy Shriver, the chairman of Special Olympics International, noted that the word is used across the political spectrum. “People on the left and people on the right have treated people with intellectual disabilities in subhuman ways, historically,” Shriver said.
The word’s return has also been particularly hurtful to people with intellectual disabilities.
“It’s frustrating, and it upsets me beyond words to hear anyone use the R-word. That word isn’t in style; it’s hurtful,” said Novie Craven, a Special Olympics athlete and host of the podcast “Inclusion Revolution Radio.” “When that word is used, you’re telling the world that people like me, people with intellectual disabilities, don’t belong, can’t achieve or aren’t worth respect.”
Craven added: “But you don’t know us. You don’t live our lives. If you did, you’d understand how wrong that word is. You should get to know us before you speak about us.”
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