SARATOGA SPRINGS – Daddy called it “Red Language.”
Front Row: Griffin and Kylie.
Language that serves no purpose but to hurt and cause pain.
The language of bullies, cowardly launched inventive to verbally injure its target, often causing as much, if not more pain than a physical blow.
It is also often the language of the ignorant, as well as the unaware. Ignorant and unaware of the damage such language causes the recipient. Perhaps less damning than a bully, but still just as hurtful.
A coalition of forces is on the march to eradicate one such word. On Wednesday, March 1, a group of volunteers from Saratoga Springs High School, the Capital Region’s branch of New York Special Olympics (NYSO) and Fingerpaint Marketing launched a campaign that said “no more.” “Spread the Word to End the Word” has a simple concept, but a powerful message:
The “R” word is OUTTA HERE!
We cannot mince words and report accurately, so let us write one last time that the word is “retard.” Volunteer Emily noted that once the word served as a medical diagnosis: a ‘catch all’ for various conditions we now better define as autism, attention deficit disorder, etc.
The “R” word is now inadequate and obsolete. It is therefore useless, except for the hurtful and ignorant. Therefore these people have declared war on it – will fight it until it is eradicated from our lexicon.
In other words, these people have pledged to not rest until it is gone.
And they do more than wish it to be so. This campaign will educate and inform. It will plant a firm line in the sand, stating that this is unacceptable under any circumstances. Gone!
On this day, they did more than speak, though all who did spoke from their hearts. Emotionally detailing the harmful effects of red language, and declaring to be its enemy.
And then they did more. They literally declared their devotion to their cause. They voted… with their fingers! About 100 of them, Fingerpainters and finger painters, put their name on a pledge banner, which now hangs in Fingerpaint’s window on the corner of Broadway and Division.
I was proud and gleeful to join them.
For language is my gift, and red language is intolerable. I signed my name, as I sign this piece:
“R” word: you are toast. You are OUTTA HERE!
Arthur Gonick
March 3, 2017
