Monday, May 4, 2009

The one where I piss off some people

I have censored myself on this here blog for a while. Sure, I use the occasional four lettered profanities when I deem them necessary, but there is one word that runs through my mind quite often that I have stopped using.

Back in the day when I started this, I explained my love affair with the word "retarded". I get that it's inappropriate and that I'm a bitch, whatever. I used to use it constantly, but a friend that is an Occupational Therapist put me in my place. I am now more discriminatory about my usage. I usually use it to describe myself, dogs and incidents. And sorry, but sometimes- it's just the PERFECT word!

I used it about 6 months ago in a post and was reprimanded by a reader who had a child that was "mentally disabled" (I like this term to describe people with lesser abilities.) I felt like total shit and have not used it in my blog since. However, I have to be honest and admit that I use it in my head daily! I have made an executive decision to reinstate the crazy shit in my head on this blog and use the word again- also that reader was so pissed at me that she never read me again! I swear on chocolate that I am NOT mocking anyone that has a disability!

"Little People" used to be called "midgets". Then, one day, they realized that the word "midget" was just silly as a blanket description of people of short stature, though a thoroughly kick ass adjective. I'm hoping that people start thinking that way about the word "retarded".

I also enjoy "gay" as a descriptive word. And I TOTALLY love gay people- hell, if I wasn't such a fan of hetero- sex- I'd be one!

Anyway...

My daughter is home sick with swine flu- or probably just allergies. The people that are freaking out about this pig shit and buying masks- RETARDED!

We had 3 rain outs this weekend- so I did a lot of lurking on Facebook, but still stand my ground that I will NEVER become one of those people that update their "status" several times a day because that is RETARDED!

People on FB that take "quizzes" to see what kind of designer handbag, character in a tv show or brand of tampon they are- RETARDED!

May 2 was our dog's 1st birthday- this is COMPLETELY RETARDED!


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30 comments:

Jen said...

I completely understand where you are coming from. I am also a fan of the word but try not to use it for fear of offending someone. I'm also guilty of using "gay" to describe something and I'm totally not homophobic. If people want to sit you in the bad corner for it, I will sit there with you.

Tiffany said...

I use that word too. Although I've tried substituting other words for it. Although STUPID doesn't really work as well. BUT at least I'm not saying fuck all the time. Oh well I guess I am. Nevermind.

And I LIKE FB quizzes. I mean how the hell else am I gonna see what kind of shoe I am. Fuck, Tena that shit is important.

Tiffany said...

Oh and now I am TOTALLY tagging you to do all the quizzes I do. hehe Welcome to hell!!

Debz said...

Well it's official. Your retarded.

I am just as bad (if not worse) when it comes to using that and many other words that have become very UN-PC. I can't help it. I don't ever use it to describe a person who is mentally disabled. I would never. I may screw something all up to hell in a handbasket and say "OH great Deb! That was retarded!!"
I have tried to do better about saying these types of things, but truth be told, these words are like drinking a shot (or 12) on the weekends. Just habitual.
So you haven't offended me. But keep trying. I may break up with you yet.

Dorsey said...

oh yes, I've had more than one occasion of being TOTALLY not PC. However, in place of retarded, I typically go with fucked up. But hey, to each their own. ha!

And I wonder if using the term munchkin to describe "little people" would insult them worse? To me it just makes them appear like cute peeps that dance and sing cute songs about lollipops. And how could that b a BAD thing?

Ashley said...

So, I'm totally not political correct and neither is anyone in my family. My 'mentally disabled' brother uses the word retarded ALL the time. AND my other brother who IS gay uses the word GAY all the time. Don't censor yourself for others especially on your blog, because if they don't like they, they don't have to read it.
I mean, its in the same boat as as calling someone a blonde - ya know. Please, whatever.

amelia bedelia said...

I agree with the quiz takers on FB. However, I have to admit, I do take one occasionally. Afterall, what cartoon character I am, may come in handy one day. The dog b'day party was kinda cute.

Unknown said...

i find that in instances when i want to call someone "retarded", "moron" works surprisingly well. so if you read my blog and see where i have written "moron", be sure that in my head i'm thinking "retarded".

btw, my son's second birthday was on may 2.

Dr Zibbs said...

I've been meaning to write a post about a similar subject. My brother, who will make fun of anyone gets really pissed when I make fun of super feminine gay guys.

Pisses me off I tells ya.

Jen said...

I censor myself from using the "r" word but it doesn't offend me when other people use it.

Oh and I LOVE those FB quizzes!! I think it is totally retarded that you don't like them. ;)

Anonymous said...

'use it in your head daily' that is hilarious!

Carrin said...

I use "retarded" all the time and I do in fact have mentally ill people in my family. I think "retarded" is more of a general term, like moron or ass hat!

Christine said...

You are freaking hilarious!!

PS: I tagged in you in a retarted Meme on my blog :P

Jenn@ The Crazies said...

I have a friend whos sister has Down's syndrome and she totally HATES the word retarded.. I use it also all the time BUT am cautious when this peticular girlfriend is around.. OH and one of my best friends is my hairdresser who is gay and he has no problem when I refer to things as GAY!!

MrsSki said...

Guilty. I use this word frequently. Not around my sister though, she's a special ed teacher and it ticks her lilly if I use it in front of her. I guess I don't really think about it...maybe I should be more careful. I do agree with a comment from earlier..it's your blog if they don't like it they don't have to read it!

Susan said...

I love all words that offend people... and I don't need to use them to offend, I do that anyway using regular words! And the whole FB quiz thing gets on my last damn nerve! I go through my home page and delete all those.... and never see them again! And the last quiz I took was "Which liquor are you?" and you know what I got..... Jagermeister..... NOW THAT'S RETARDED!!!!! Apparently, I'm dark and mysterious... WTH???? But I do update my status pretty regularly!

Unknown said...

I don't mean to offend either but I often refer to myself that way as well. Maybe I'm trying to convey that I'm goofy or something but the R word just seems to fit.

Kori said...

PC-ness is both retarded AND gay. Fuck.

Sue Wilkey said...

OMG are you doing Diesel's retarded meme? My blogger idol Diesel from Mattress Police did a retarded piece today! http://www.mattresspolice.com.

people have got to lighten up.

CailinMarie said...

fabulous dah-ling simply fabulous. retarded is such a good word- and I completely censor it because I have kids and g-d forbid one of them calls somebody retarded at school in front of the special ed teacher (oh - two of mine ARE special ed - whatever) air kisses -mwah!

Deb said...

I got yelled at for using that word too. Don't care. Love it.

sistersledgekws said...

I too say many words that aren't politically correct. People just need to get over it, and stop being so gay!

Jenni said...

I love that you had a party for your dog!

My invitation must have been lost in the mail?

Jill said...

The problem in America is that we're WAY to PC conscious. Take the holiday season for instance... people are so worried about offending that they say Happy Holidays rather than Merry Christmas. Let's be frank here (and this is coming from a Jew), when you think of December 25th - it's Christmas! Call a G.D. spade a spade!

As for retarded and gay - get over it people. It's a descriptive word - and it just works so well in so many different scenarios.

Unknown said...

Bleach 218 sub is out at Bleach Shippuuden

Mary@Holy Mackerel said...

Like Jill said, being PC is now waaay out of hand. We have to be so careful all the time lest we possibly hurt someone's feelings. For god's sake.

Keep on keepin' on, Tena. And if someone takes offense, that's their issue, not yours. Because, as you've said, you're not trying to hurt anyone. It's just a word.

Ash said...

Still don't like the word, but still love you, because you taught me "asshat" - which I happen to adore.

No offense to asshats :-)

Anonymous said...

That's so fucking retarded that people would judge you on an adjective. I mean that's basically what it is. And words progress..duh. I know what you mean about censoring. I used the "f" word (as if I didn't already say it) once and I lost 2 readers. What the fuck?! You can't be THAT senstive over one post. I like uncensored shit. It actually makes me feel a little more comfortable in what I write. Maybe if we all do it, then everyone will do it! You know like blog peer pressure!

robkroese said...

RETARDED RETARDED RETARDED. WOOOO! :)

Mariah said...

You are my hero