So I recently found out that some schools have banned the use of the word 'retard', and that there were law changes in the U.S. (apparently years ago, but who keeps up with current events... psh) that changed the phrase to 'intellectual disability'. What are your thoughts on this? Personally, I think it's stupid. Obviously you shouldn't go around calling people retarded. That's mean. That being said, you would get in trouble (as a kid in school) for calling someone else a retard, even when 'mentally retarded' was who 'intellectual disability' was referred to. To me it seems like people are taking a normal word (retard, which means slowed down) and twisting it, and then other people are trying to boycott that word. Sure, right now it's just one word. Let's get rid of it. What happens when people take another word (lets say 'crippled'), and they start using that in a derogatory way? Do we ban that word? I feel like people who say it in an offensive way should be punished/scolded/whatever, but I don't think we need to go around changing laws, and banning words just because people used them incorrectly. I have some English friends that still call cigarettes 'fags'. Because some people use that to refer to homosexuals do we just ban the word completely? Or do we tell off the people that use it offensively? Anywho. Something that was on my mind today. I want to see how many people agree/disagree with me.

I can understand why they do it, but it always strikes me as silly. As soon as you change the preferred word, the new word will become just as abused and mocked because the people themselves are the objects of scorn.

You are completely correct, and I have updated my post. They're English, so I don't listen to them all that closely.

This was what I was thinking as well. People just need to stop being dicks to each other altogether. Until that happens there will always be a new bad word.

its US slang... They butcher up english.. 

Anyway.. The N word used to be normal... Should we use it again? Times and sentiments changes.. For the better

Actually a faggot is an archaic unit of measure for a bunch of sticks. Perhaps from back when bunches of stick were worth something.

When a word has both a legitimatre non-offensive use and an offensive demeaning use then it is not unreasonable to ban a word when used in a demeaning context, but that does not completely prevent the use in a legitimal non-offensive context.

That's their word. He is allowed to say "no".

Who knows.. Those who have disability might be smarter than your average joe... Dnt understand why the word being banned would get in the way of anybodys freedom, happines and life quality..

Is using slurs is essential to someones life fullfilment... They might wanna reconsider the course they are going.

Hmm where is this from?

Nah.  Intellectually disabled just doesn't roll off the tounge.