| Spread the Word to End the Word |
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A special and important message from Special OlympicsAcross the United States, people on college campuses, in high school cafeterias and workaday offices have launched the “Spread the Word to End the Word” campaign. The goal: make people stop and think about their hurtful and disparaging use of the word “retard.” What It's All AboutSpread the Word to End the Word is raising the consciousness of society about the dehumanizing and hurtful effects of the R-word and urging people to resolve to stop using it as an insult, casual or intended. How It StartedCreated by young people with and without intellectual disabilities, Spread the Word to End the Word is one element of Special Olympics’ vision of a world where everyone matters, where everyone is accepted and, most importantly, where everyone is valued. Leading the way in promoting acceptance of people with intellectual disabilities, Special Olympics opposes prejudice and discrimination, continuously working to dispel the negative stereotypes associated with this population — the use of the R-word being one such stereotype. In a world that has worked to eliminate pejorative racial and ethnic language such as the “N word,” among others, the R-word is gaining popularity. How To Take ActionTake the R-word pledge Order a Spread The Word T-shirt Get Spread the Word Resources Read John C. McGinley's R-word message R-word Research Spread the Word Channel on YouTube Special Olympics Fan Community Special Olympics on Facebook Special Olympics e-newsletter http://www.specialolympics.org/03-31-09_Spread_the_Word.aspx or www.r-word.org |