given everyone's recent views about the word "retard", i would like to express my views and why we SHOULD use the word, 'retard'. first of all, as a noun, the word "retard" is used for various meanings. the first is what tagger 'hmshore' found offending on jem's post, 'chinese retard'. it means simply, a person who is mentally retarded. however, it must be taken into consideration that jem was not referring to that meaning but to the second one, which refers to a person who is stupid, obtuse, or ineffective in some way. eg. he is a hopeless social retard. while it can be argued that retard might be a little crude, it is undeniably part of singapore youth culture. i have no doubt every teen in singapore has used this word at least once. though it is true we should respect others and be more sensitive, it is not our fault that one should take offense at it when it was
a)not directed at anyone
b)not referring to the first meaning
thus, jem's use of the word 'retard' should not be taken so seriously as he did not mean it in a bad way. as the second definition suggests, retard can also refer to a person who is ineffective or more crudely, stupid in doing something, in this case chinese. this is definitely true. if 'hmshore' should take offense at this, then when he or she is filling up a form and 'sex' is required, shouldnt she put, once a week instead of male or female? we are teenagers and one cant possibly expect us to blog in good english. we do not even speak in proper english! using the word 'retard' is definitely better then using a real vulgarity such as f***. imagine if the post was titled f*** chinese instead. would that have been better? what next, a teacher tagging his blog citing inappropriate language use?
also, jem was not ridiculing a less fortunate soul. he was merely frustrated with himself. there is nothing funny about the word retard. it is merely slang. and this slang word does not refer to the first meaning. while we do take some of our blessings for counted, we cannot help it. it is human nature. we cant do it in everything we do. it'll be like getting run down by a car and saying thank god it wasnt a truck. though it might be true, it is almost impossible. hence, i say, we should continue using retard. thank you.
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