That's so NOT "retarded."

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I appreciate that people can understand where I am coming from and my point of view.

I have ALWAYS hated when I have heard people say things like "yeah, my laptop is being retarded" or "stop acting like a retard" because they are using the word totally out of context. I also had a brother (Josef "Jo-Jo" or "Joey") who had cerebral palsy from the day he was born 'til the day he sadly passed away at the age of 4. My parents knew from day one that Jo-Jo wouldn't live too long and would never be able to speak or walk. However, he did live longer than what doctors predicted. He would have been 29yo Nov 2. May he always rest peacefully in the arms of God and all of His Angels.... 11/2/81 - 4/2/86. Gone from home; but, certainly not gone from our hearts.

Growing up, my parents have always taught me not to use that word they way tons of people do in today's society. I find it rather offensive, rude and ignorant because people really need to look up the definition of the word. It does NOT mean stupid, dumb, etc. Yes, it IS a term to mean someone is slow or impaired--but, due to mental or physical disability that unfortunately they can't help much. In actuality, many mentally and physically disabled (or, as people call them-retarded) people are in fact very smart people. They just cannot use their brains and muscles on their own. But, again, it's not their fault.  In fact, ever since I can remember, if I heard someone use the word out of context, I would and still tell them to shut up and not use that word. I then explain why. Some get all defensive about it and tell me that I'M wrong (yup, I'm wrong)...others listen to me and see my point (which I wish would happen more often). Unfortunately, I still hear this word used out of context at least once a day--straight up, no lie. Which reallllly pisses me off.

First off, your computer, car, iPod, cellphone, etc. cannot be "retarded". Why can't you just say slow, broken, weird, etc. Second of all, please think before you speak--you could be offending people around you--such as someone who is disabled. Third off....Do you really listen to how lame you sound when you use the word?! Because honestly, (IMO) you make yourself look foolish and it makes you sound ridiculously rude and ignorant.

Now, what I am also pissed about is, while I absolutely LOVE those commercials about saying "Oh, that's so gay" because they are a great way to show people how using another word (gay) out of context is wrong, as well. But, why isn't there any about the word retarded??? I mean, isn't it just as offensive and wrong as using the word gay? Isn't the word retarded used just as much as gay? I mean, someone help me out here because I personally get offended by this word.

So, for those of you who may use the word retarded or retard in sentences mentioned above--Please stop. It's wrong, inappropriate and just downright ignorant. Think before you speak, please. 

I just hope that after reading my post people can spread the word more about the word "retarded" and "retard" and I hope the readers of this post will speak up the next time they hear or see someone using the word inappropriately and making fun of someone who may not be "perfect." After all, they really should learn that NO ONE is perfect and EVERYONE has some kind of "difference" about them that may or may not be a bad thing. In most cases, it's NOT a bad thing. So, if you hear it--speak up and tell them what they just said is wrong.