Take a Stand for Inclusion
A testimony by Jacob Pasternack, a Best Buddies chapter leader at Olympic Heights Community High School in Boca Raton, Florida.
People can do a lot of things with words. Being able to accurately and appropriately express oneself is a key skill in any communication effort. Words can be used to motivate, uplift, and applaud peers. Words, however, can also be used to demean, criticize and hurt others as well. One such word that falls into the latter category is the R-Word. The R-Word is a word with one singular goal, to hurt and devalue the life of another. The R-word is truly unacceptable today as it is insensitive and ignorant. The negative connotation it carries when associated with those with intellectual and developmental disabilities alone should be enough for this word to be dropped. The pain, hurt, and negativity the R-Word spreads is unlike any other word, and it’s use truly impacts the recipient of the word. Being surrounded by people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, I see the negative impact this word has on them every time it is used. The heart-wrenching, defeated look smeared across the face of the recipient is truly horrible, and an experience that no one should have to endure.
Spread the Word is a huge campaign that invites people to celebrate all people and encourages everyone to use people first language. By making this pledge, you show that you are dedicated to promoting friendship, acceptance, and equality and dedicated to snuffing out hatred and bigotry. By making this pledge, you are committing to standing up for what is right and spreading positivity and inclusion wherever life takes you. Go to spreadtheword.global today to stand up for inclusion and friendship!
