No better words???

Here's where people usually stop listening/reading (and nobody is forcing you to read in) but I have to try anyway. I wish you would give what I have to say a chance, but if you don't that is your prerogative.

I know many would say, "It's just a word. It was a Reddit comment in the middle of the night. The only people reading it and getting upset are looking for a reason to get upset."

I get that, I really do. Here's the thing...if you use that word at any time it shows that you don't feel the true weight of it. If I can help one person understand the impact it can have then I have done something. If not, no harm, no foul.

People with cognitive disabilities, more often than you might think, understand that word and know it is hurtful and degrading. For them it is as bad as any of the most heinous racial slurs.

There are many preconceived notions about people with cognitive disabilities. They are, for the most part, completely untrue. You will find the occasional person with troubling tendencies but you will find that notion is true with any group of people.

If you make the effort to see these people in their true light you will find that there is nobody more genuine, friendly, honest, earnest, kind, and big hearted. You will also see, almost unilaterally, somebody that would never hurt you intentionally. The thing I have seen the most are people that are genuinely decent and caring. People who would rather smile and make you smile. People who don't understand why somebody would want to hurt them or anybody else. People that would rather pick you up than put you down. People that say what they mean and feel...their compliments are real, not lip service.

You will also find people that don't understand what you have against them. That don't understand why you think it's okay to hurt somebody that can't defend themselves. That can't understand, simply, why you don't like them...because they like you. Even after you hurt them, they will almost immediately forgive you and try to be your friend.

In light of that, would you want one of these people to hear you use that word?

When it comes out so easily in your writing it isn't a stretch to think that it may also come out of your mouth.

It's an easy question. Do you want to be a person that hurts people that can not, and would not, hurt you?

"It's just a word! Relax!". Sure it is, keep thinking that. There are a lot of things you can say that are just words but if you say them I. The wrong place and time you get hurt bad r worse. If you say that word in the wrong place and time you just crush the spirit of a harmless person. That no who I want to be.

Edit: Yep, you got me, I've worked with children with disabilities as a volunteer for over ten years. I owe them more than I could ever pay them back.