Hi, my name is Marcelo, and I have autism. That means my brain works a little differently. I see patterns that other people might not see. Sometimes I talk a lot, and sometimes I stay quiet. But I always understand what people mean, especially when they say words that hurt.
There is one word that really hurts people like me. The word is retarded.
When people use it, most of the time they don’t mean to be mean. They say it when someone makes a mistake or does something silly. They say things like “That’s so retarded” or “I feel retarded today.” They think it’s just a joke. But it’s not. It’s a word that has been used for a long time to make fun of people with disabilities, to make us feel less than other people.
When I was younger, I didn’t understand why people laughed when someone said that word. I thought maybe they didn’t know what it feels like to hear it. Because when you hear it, it feels like someone is saying you don’t belong, that you’re not good enough.
And that’s not true. I am good enough. My friends are good enough. We work hard, we have dreams, and we love our families just like everyone else.
A long time ago, the word used to be in medical books. It was something doctors said when they didn’t really understand how the brain works. But over time, people started using it as an insult. They used it to make people feel small. That’s why it’s not okay, even if you’re joking. Words have power. They can make someone feel proud or make someone feel broken.
When you say that word, you’re not just talking about one person. You’re talking about all of us who live with disabilities. You’re talking about kids who need more time to learn. About adults who work hard every day to be accepted. About families who try their best to help their children feel loved and respected. When you use that word, you remind us that the world still doesn’t always see us as equals.
But you can help change that. If you’ve ever used the word, don’t feel bad forever. Everyone makes mistakes. What matters is what you do next. You can say, “I didn’t know that word hurt people, but now I do, and I won’t use it again.” That means you’re learning and growing.
And if you hear someone else say it, you can say, “Hey, that word’s not cool. Let’s not use it.” You don’t have to be angry. Just kind and clear.
There are so many better words to use. If something is silly, say silly. If something is confusing, say confusing. If you made a mistake, say you messed up. You don’t have to use a word that hurts a whole group of people. Words are tools, and you get to choose how you use them.
When people stop using that word, it makes me feel like the world is changing for the better. It means more people are seeing that being different isn’t bad. It’s something to be proud of. My autism is part of who I am. It helps me notice small details and care deeply about people. I don’t want anyone to feel sorry for me. I just want people to understand.
Sometimes people say, “It’s just a word. Why does it matter?” It matters because words show how you see someone. If your words say that I don’t matter, it hurts. But if your words show kindness, that kindness builds a bridge between us. And that bridge means everything.
So please, don’t say the R word. Tell your friends, your kids, your family. Help other people learn why it’s wrong. I’m not asking for special treatment. I’m asking for respect. If you give it, you’ll get it back.
People with disabilities aren’t less. We’re just different. And different is something beautiful.
