Recently in Naples, my friend was walking to the grocery store near Harrison Road. A pick up truck pulled up to him and rolled down their window and yelled “F-ing retard!” You see, my friend has Down Syndrome. When he told me this, I was so surprised. I am more naive than I thought. I thought the word “retard” went out with mullets in the 80’s. To these guys I write this:
Who are you that you are so superior that you can so carelessly take away a person’s dignity, self-confidence and independence? Where in someone’s mind is it OKAY to call someone such a cruel name?
When I asked my friend how this made him feel he said: “I was scared; I didn’t sleep cause I was worried that they would come back.”
Though I am very angry, I pity a person or people who can behave this way. They probably never thought about it again, which makes me sad because you can’t go through life treating people this way. If you do, you possibly could find yourself jobless and friendless but nonetheless, you don’t have a clue that your life’s issues are self-inflicted. It’s the people who know this is wrong behavior and don’t speak up that will continue to live life wishing they could be something more or someone better but lack the confidence to be who they should be. The good news is there is hope for you.
What does the word “retarded” mean? The dictionary defines it as a condition but it also is listed under OFFENSIVE SLANG and with that definition: A person considered to be foolish or socially inept.
I don’t think my friend is foolish or socially inept. I do however think that the cowards who called him this name are.
Will there ever be justice for those cruel insensitive “jokes”? I don’t think within our society. I believe there is a higher power out there who creates his own justice. I always say, “God doesn’t flub.” My friend isn’t a mistake. God didn’t flub with him. He is an individual who has worked hard through life, not just for a simple life, but for the acceptance of others. He wants to fit in with the guys and he wants to be independent; he wants friends.
With everything that my friend wants, he has given back much more to not only me but to many others. He is witty, has a great sense of humor, is kind and is a very hard worker. He loves his mother and father and brother unconditionally and he just wants to be accepted and independent.
I personally think he should be allowed to live this way. Without the fear of some ignorant person driving by and hurling insults at him. For those of you who have driven by someone and called him a retard my hope for you is that you will look back on that moment with complete shame and embarassement. For those who have never had the courage to stand up and stop it, may you be ashamed and embarrassed, but also I hope you one day possess the self confidence it takes to be a better person.
Anna Clifford
Casco
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