Action Pledge
Take the original R-Word “My Words Matter” Pledge by Jenna Glatzer: “I pledge that I will not use the words “retard” or “retarded” to mean “stupid.” I understand that this is hurtful to people who have disabilities and people who love them, so I will be careful with my words. I will also try to remember to pay attention when other people use these words, and I’ll ask them to stop. “
Read Jenna’s story on how she created her R-Word pledge in 2004: http://www.jennaglatzer.com/pledge_to_stop_the_word_retard.htm
Download FREE PDF’s To Make Your Voices Heard!
NOTE: The purpose of this site is for the promotion of the ‘r’ Word Campaign, any comments that do not reflect that effort or do not include a valid e-mail address will not be approved.
Melissa Ringold said
I have never, and will never, use the R word in any deragatory fashion about anyone. I have always used people first language and always strive to educate others about this simple, easy way to show respect to all people. Thanks for this fantastic campaign!
Robert said
I will try to never say the r-word again.
jess said
i will try hard to never ever ever use the r-word
Anonymous said
I pledge to not use the R word to mean stupid. I know it is wrong and that it is hurtful to others. In the past I have forgotten this but I now no better and will think before I speak. Also I will encourage others to remember this as well and correct them if they forget.
lauren cain said
I pledge that I will not use the words “retard” or “retarded” to mean “stupid.” I understand that this is hurtful to people who have disabilities and people who love them, so I will be careful with my words. I will also try to remember to pay attention when other people use these words, and I’ll ask them to stop.
La Donna said
I love this site. I came across it when I was researching for a persuasive speech I am giving. I was wondering if there is anyway I can get one of the T-shirts to wear when I am giving my speech? If there is a way to get it in a Rush I would like to know. I don’t think that if I order it on the website that it will get here in time.
David said
Thank you for this. I have a brother-in-law wh ois autistic, and it hurts me when people use the R word to describle something that isn’t as they wish it were. I felt like I was alone in feeling like the R word was hurtful, mean, and nasty. I will lead as many people as I can to this site.
Thanks and kudos to you!
Nikki said
This is awsome how you guys are doing this. I never use the r word in a hateful or degrading way and neither do I plan to.
Alex said
I never use the R word because i am a preson with a disabilty it herts my felling when other people say the word
Stephanie Green said
You are awesome
Anna said
I love this campaign! I give you the best of luck!! It really bothers me when people say it!!!!!!!!!! Thank you so much!!
Hunter Hopkins said
I will not say the r word anymore. Thank you for your awareness.
Annie said
“I pledge that I will not use the words “retard” or “retarded” to mean “stupid.” I understand that this is hurtful to people who have disabilities and people who love them, so I will be careful with my words. I will also try to remember to pay attention when other people use these words, and I’ll ask them to stop.
Rose said
I have a sister with down(syndrome)…it does hurt so please stop.
makizzlw said
man i feel mean now. i never ever will use this word the wrong way again
Christina said
This is really great. My entire school is pledging, and we all are now going to stop saying the r-word. This will help everyone. The r-word is just as bad any other word that can hurt anyone.
Tori said
I pledge never to use the words “retard” or “retarded” to mean “stupid. This site has opened my eyes to the pain I have caused in the past by using these terms.
kaitlyn said
after hearing about this i will never say the r-word again cause ive fiund out how bad it can hurt someone.
Christina said
I think this is great.
courtney said
I will not use the r word again
This is a great site
anna said
I love this sight!! I wish more people would join!
Anonymous said
i love you! you should be on myspace or t.v.!!!!!
I pledge to not say the r word for the rest of my life unless in a stituation neeeded it in… i may use special though cause they are tough people.
calais said
no and u shouldn’t use the r -word at all
Raquel said
I pledge not to use the “r” word ever never ever!!!
Unless in a needed conversation explaining not to use the word.
If im going to refer to stupid i will use the word stupid =]not the “r” word
Andrea said
THE R-WORD SHOULD BE ABOLISHED. IT HURTS MANY. I A GRANDMOTHER OF A DISABLED CHIILD IT BREAKS MY HEART TO HEAR THOSE WORDS. BECAUSE SOMEDAY HE WILL HEAR THEM AND HE IS NOT THAT. HE IS A BEAUTIFUL ANGEL. FOR THOSE WHO USE THE WORD MAY YOU NEVER EXPERIENCE THE PAIN THAT,THAT WORD CAN CAUSE . SO, PLEASE STOP USEING IT AND USE THE WORD LOVE OR BEAUTIFUL ANGEL.
Jamie said
my nephew has downs and i hate when people use that word its not there fault, they cant help it, there is not any cure. if u have that low of self esteem that u have to call some that ur the one that is the r word not them. get over urself
G.W. said
It hurts!
Alyssa said
I found myself using the “r” word as an insult as a freshman. Now a junior in highschool, i met some pretty incredible people who would definitely take that word to heart. My best friend now has an older brother who has such a disorder andI finally realized using that word is wrong. I guess it took a few years for me to mature a little to notice that. I vow to never use the “r” word again.
tammi said
me tamara pleades to never to say retard or retarded because i do not want to hurt someones feeling by calling them dumb
Cathlene said
I feel so bad
I didn’t know that the “r” word was taking offence to the people out there, but now I will stop
-Cathlene
Sarah B said
Growing up I always heard The R Word, I never really took it to heart until I started dating this wonderful man. I was talking to him one day and I felt bad when it slipped one day and he got offend. I asked him why, he told me his whole life story growing up with a sister with the condition, now I respect everyone and I disagree when someone uses it as a cuss word, I am now pledging to not use the R word as anything. The R word should never be used in profanity.
Brandon Truiett said
I, Brandon will no longer use the “r” word.
Jordan said
I pledge that I will NEVER use the “R” word as a hateful or degrading way. I never have called anyone that and never plan to! Thank you for creating such a wounderful website!!
PinkSea said
I pledge to never say this word. I already think it is such a rude word to use to ANYONE!
Kaitlyn said
I solemnly swear to never, ever use the word “retard” when describing something as “stupid.” I understand that it is hurtful to those around me.
Alison said
I pledge not to use the r-word. I understand it can be hurtful to those with mental conditions and their loved ones.
Eve said
Thank you, thank you, thank you for speaking out against this horrible trend. As the sister of a severely retarded man, it pains my family and me to hear the words “retard” and “retarded” to be used so freely in such a disrespectful, derogatory manner. I feel as though I have been on a one-woman campaign to get people to stop doing that. It’s so wonderful to know I’m no longer alone and that there are many others who are willing to join the fight. To all of you making the pledge, my family–and especially my beautiful brother–can’t thank you enough!!!
Tori said
I pledge not to use the words “retard” or “retarded” negatively whether it means stupid or lame. I understand how it is taken offensively and do not want to hurt those who have or love someone with intellectual disabilites.
Mary said
I refuse to ever use the “R” word ever again. I’m sorry to say that I used to say it before I really knew what it meant. I have a little sister with Down Syndrome who I would jump to the moon for. It shatters my heart to hear ignorant people use that word incorrectly.
Livy said
I think this is an amazing thing. My friend and I even sent around a forward messege about ending the offensive use of the word “retard” in everyday conversations. I will never use the “r-word” again!
Anthony Farole and Dukle Valenti said
We will never use the r word cause we now know how much pain it can cause to those who deserve RESPECT which should be the new r word.
Caroline Smith said
I will admit that I have used the r word a lot. I just figured out how many people it really hurts. I am now banning the “r-word” from any use through out my life time ever again!
Dr V.Janaki said
Kudos on your efforts. I came across yr site by sheer chance. Am circulating the same. Perhaps you need to include other hurtful words used to describe people with disabilities. Do keep in touch and i wish you the best of luck
Lee Ann said
I have a daughter with developmental disabilities and I feel so much pain when people disrespect her or say the “R” word. I know it hurts many people when it is said. Thank you to all that are spreading the word to stop the use of the “R” word:)
Laurette Reiff said
Good for you — the use of this word as a derogatory is completely and totally unacceptable. And, I’m really troubled by how the word seems to be making some sort of a comeback as a way to demean someone. Let’s hope that your efforts will educate people to think before speaking. (A practice all of us could benefit from starting!)
Michelle Spader said
I am a psychologist who specializes in working with people who have mental retardation and other developmental disabilities. Long before I became a psychologist, I performed direct care work for individuals with mental retardation. When I found out about this site through a story I heard on NPR, I was so excited because I have been advocated for my friends and family to stop using ‘the r word’ for many years. It’s exciting to know that there is a national group devoted to this cause!! I know I’ve made a difference for many of those in my life and will keep striving to make more change!
Walter Clark said
I don’t like the word “Retard”, because it bothers me. I don’t like to be called that. I’m a 45-year old developmentally disabled person (or a handicapped person) living in a apartment. I don’t like it when people esp, teenagers call me that word, esp who would be delinquent, especially out in public.
The word “Retard” hurts people, especially me, and evens offends me.
lori said
i am so glad that there is a site to bring light to this issue. Being the older sister of a brother with downs syndrome, i truly am offended when people use this word in such a derogatory way. thank you from my family who love and honor this community of people who deserve a voice!
Steve said
Great site! Great cause! We’re all God’s children – each as valuable and important as the next. My daughters and I have talked about this in the past and they are spreading the word among their friends at school. Keep up the good work, all!
Patience said
I’m a seventh-grade girl, and i hear this word every day by people my age. I have never used it other than speaking out about it in my entire life, and it just kills me when i hear my peers use it.
Misty said
I pledge that I will not use the words “retard” or “retarded” to mean “stupid.” I understand that this is hurtful to people who have disabilities and people who love them, so I will be careful with my words. I will also try to remember to pay attention when other people use these words, and I’ll ask them to stop.
Misty
Party Kids said
We are all 13 year old teenagers, and there are six of us. WE STRONGLY beleive that the “r” word is extremely offensive because there are some people out there who are actually mentally damamged. We hope we can make a differnece
Rachel said
I really don’t the r word I have CP and learning disabilites sometimes when people say to me your to someone else it make you feel like you are no one. We have to teach people we are all powerfull in many ways. No is going to put us down.
Akira said
Finally, i found people who actually cares about this situation. I never have and never will use the “R” word. I am totally spreading this word out to my school!
Jennifer said
I am a teacher and I do not allow the students to say the “r” word in my class. I think we should all make a effort to take it out of our vocabulary. It is hurtful, mean-spirited and just plain ugly.
DM said
Apparently Bravo doesn’t get it. During the preview of Kell on Earth last night, employees used the r-word twice. I will not watch again and ask that anyone who agress to boycott the show. Shame on Bravo.
Lillie said
I pledge to never use the r-word again. In school, it’s becoming a common word to mean “stupid” and i didn’t ever think of it otherwise. Now i understand that it isn’t necessarily “stupid”. I pledge to stop using the r-word, and notify my friends of this.
Tim said
I Tim will not use the “r” word and will teach my students to not say the “r” word
kazlyn said
I have used this wird before but know that I really think about what i am saying i wil never ever use this word in my life again I think it is rood and disrespectful to people all around my brother has autism and when I hear people say that he is retarted that herts me and now i know how the other people feel.
I kazlyn will never evr in my life use the ‘R’ word never again.
lily olivares said
i hate that word
Adrienne Coooper said
i do to
Angelina said
This r-word has been used alot in school and out. I pledge never to use the word and hope everyone elts does to.
manuel said
the r word. the r word can hurt others in many ways. it can make you feel like you were no one. that is why we should not say it to someone who may be autistic or you are just to make fun of.
Brenna Chase said
I pledge to not use the “r” word ever again. I also pledge to influence mall my peers not to use it as well.
Anonymous said
i lonna pledge to not use the r word.
annika said
i pledge not to use the r word, respect for all people with disabilities
Yanka said
USING THE R-WORD IS A WORD THAT SHE ONLY BE USED FOR MEDICAL TERMS IT HURTS SOMEONE WHEN YOU SAY THAT. IT’S NOT THEY’RE FAULT THAT THEY HAVE A DISABILITY.
noah said
i promis i will not use the r-word
Samantha C. said
I will never use the word retarded (not that I have ever used the word anyway). I love this site!
Brenna M. said
I TOOK THE PLEDGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ariel said
I was shown this website by a friend. Everyone took the pledge and so did I!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think this is a good website!! Yeah! :-l)
(look at that smiley face)
Stephanie Green said
I work with amazing indiviuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and I pledge to never use the r-word.
AJ said
Whenever I hear people say the R word, I get so mad because it is very insulting. I want to yell at them, but I know that they will just make fun of me if I do. I have said it before, I admit, but I will try to not do it again.
Katlyn(: said
“I pledge that I will not use the words “retard” or “retarded” to mean “stupid.” I understand that this is hurtful to people who have disabilities and people who love them, so I will be careful with my words. I will also try to remember to pay attention when other people use these words, and I’ll ask them to stop.
melissa hunnicutt said
i would never say this word again because its hurtful and people need to stop useing this word!!!!!!
Sara said
I’m so glad that this website (and this pledge) exists. I’m sure that I’ve used the r-word to mean ‘stupid’ on a couple of occasions as a teen, but I know that I never will again. I’m currently preparing to be a teacher, and I’m going to do my part to ensure that my students don’t use it, either. The world would be a kinder place without it!
Rhiannon said
I work with special need kids whom have dounsindrem. They are very SMART, UNIQUE, WARM HEARTED AND SHA’LL NEVER BE CALLED THE “R” WORD UNLESS IT’S USED BY THE MEANINGS OF DISABILITY.
“I pledge that I will not use the words “retard” or “retarded” to mean “stupid.” I understand that this is hurtful to people who have disabilities and people who love them, so I will be careful with my words. I will also try to remember to pay attention when other people use these words, and I’ll ask them to stop. “