Special Olympics International and Best Buddies International are partners in presenting Spread the Word to End the Word Day.
What Is Spread the Word to End the Word?
Spread the Word to End the Word is a campaign created by youth, in an ongoing effort with Special Olympics and Best Buddies International, to engage schools, organizations and communities by raising the consciousness of society about the dehumanizing and hurtful effects of the word “retard(ed)” and encouraging everyone to stop using the R-word.
On March 3, 2010, youth are leading the second annual day of awareness to Spread the Word to End the Word by encouraging people to rally and pledge their support at www.r-word.org with the goal of reaching 100,000 pledges.
The day will be devoted to educating and raising awareness of the positive impact individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities have in our communities and why the use of the R-word is hurtful, even in casual conversation. But Spread the Word to End the Word is more than just a one day event.
"The earlier we can start teaching this awareness, the easier it will be to reverse the language," says James Saetern of Sacramento, California. "This is not just a day of awareness, but a movement to end hate as a whole."
Take the pledge right now!
How It Started
Spread the Word to End the Word was created by youth with and without intellectual disabilities who participated in the Special Olympics Global Youth Activation Summit at the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games. The motivation for the campaign was driven by a united passion to promote the positive contributions people with intellectual disabilities make to communities around the world combined with a simple call to action – a pledge to stop using a word – that also symbolizes positive attitude change and a commitment to make the world a more accepting place for all people.
Motivated by their commitment to action, actor John C. McGinley was inspired to join these youth and their dedication to stop the casual use of the R-Word.
“Most people don’t think of this word as the language of hate, but that’s exactly what it feels like to millions of people with intellectual disabilities, their families and friends,” said McGinley. “I choose to believe that most of us are fundamentally good and that we’re just not aware that the word is offensive and that it hurts.”
Read a personal message from John C. McGinley on the inaugural day of awareness to Spread the Word to End the Word.
Spread the Word to End the Word is one element of Special Olympics’ vision of a world where everyone matters, where everyone is accepted and, most importantly, where everyone is respected and valued.
Keep Spreading the Word
Join thousands of young people across the globe in making a difference. Make your pledge to end the R-word now! If you’ve already pledged, re-pledge. Spread the word thru emails, Tweets and Facebook updates to get your friends and family to pledge.
Visit the R-word Store to buy the t-shirt, get buttons, posters, bracelets and more!
Use the tools on our resources page to help you raise awareness and encourage more people to take the R-word pledge. Check them out.
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| | What YOU Can Do | |
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| | - Be a leader and get your university involved with SO College
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| | - Watch youth created videos about why you should stop using the R-word on YouTube.
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| | - Get in the game by joining Special Olympics Unified Sports®, where people with and without intellectual disabilities train and compete together on the same team.
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