Reply #71: Yes they do. I've held their hands as they cried because they were called retarded. [View All]

55 year old woman. Grew up in an institution. I can't ever fully understand how she's suffered, nor how much pain a simple clinical word causes her.

You can say whatever you want. I'm simply telling you what language will cause others to consider you a jackass.

At least calling black people the N word demonstrates some level of courage; you'd stand a good chance of getting your ass kicked while others point and laugh. In contrast, directing pejorative language at people with disabilities reinforces your self-image as one of the cool kids by making someone else the punchline to a joke about your own insecurity, without any meaningful personal risk.

It is the pinnacle of cowardice.

"Linguistic freedom"? Speaking of euphemism, where I come from they call that "being an asshole".

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2009-10/Pdf/Bills/House%20Passed%20Legislature/1835.PL.pdf