February, 2010
The Just Say Something Campaign has several components:
- www.justsaysomething.org, a new website, created as a forum to share ideas, observations and perspectives.
- Media outreach to bring broad attention to the issue
- A media watch, to monitor coverage about issues affecting people with disabilities
- The Just Say Something E-newsletter
- Support for local activities – like hosting your own local Community Conversation
- Social networking, check out our Facebook page; Twitter with us!
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 A Message from Alison Lozano, PhD.
Recently, there has been renewed interest in the use of the R word because of an unfortunate use of the word by a senior White House official. Putting aside the political rhetoric it has generated, the fact remains that the R word hurts. When the words “retard” and “retarded” are used in conversation they are used with the intention of putting the other person down. However, they are also words that historically have been used to describe a significant segment of our society, in fact 7 million Americans who have intellectual disabilities.
Several years ago it occurred to many individuals with intellectual disabilities that the R word was being used as a common derogatory term and was also being used to describe them. They began asking their local and state officials to stop using the words and in many states the words are being taken out of official state language. In New Jersey we are planning to seek sponsorship for such a bill.
Currently there is a bill to replace the words “mental retardation” with “intellectual disabilities” in federal law books. The bill, called Rosa’s Law, is sponsored by Senators Milusky and Enzi.
The recent publicity around the use of the R word has generated some ignorant and hateful responses from people who obviously do not know or love a person with a developmental disability. This is not just a matter of “getting a tough skin” as some have suggested. People with developmental disabilities have many challenges against them and having their lives equated to an unkind, derogatory term is one they should not have to toughen up about.
After all the rhetoric, if the R word hurts someone it should not be used. When my niece with a developmental disability, who I raised, told me it hurts, I pledged to never use it again and to do all I can to stop others from using it. Join me in this pledge by going to the DD Council website, or the Arc of NJ website, or the Special Olympics website to take the pledge.
- Alison Lozano, Ph.D.
Executive Director, NJCDD
In Your Back Yard: The Conversation Continues
The spirited conversation continues on our Just Say Something blog. A blogger by the name of “Lucky Mom” writes on the Just Say Something blog about her disappointment with the Black Eyed Peas and their song “Let’s Get Retarded”:
"I recently bought the new “Elephunk” CD from the group Black Eyed Peas, and was very shocked and offended regarding a song on the CD: No.3 titled “Lets Get Retarded”. This song is so degrading! Needless to say I am not a fan of this band anymore. But I worry about all the young people thinking this song is cool. What can be done?"
Diane Hermann writes about an insensitive joke that appeared in Cape May’s Exit Zero newspaper:
"EXIT ZERO PUBLISHED IN CAPE MAY published a joke in their December 23, 2009 issue depicting someone trying to use a candy cane rather than a cane so that people would think they were festive INSTEAD OF DISABLED !!!
I was furious, especially at the response of the editor who basically said sorry, but he thinks humor is needed and he did not appreciate me or my friends sending angry e-mails so let’s just disagree. I have filed a complaint w/ President Obama, U.S. Dept. of Justice, and the NJ and National Disability Rights organizations. Editors should never have the right to use their poor judgment to make fun of those less fortunate than us. I hope this guy gets his just dues. Attached is my letter of Complaint.
12/24/09
Advocate for people with Disabilities/Discriminating Behavior
To Whom It May Concern:
Please see the attached article which I happened to encounter today as I read a local newspaper. First I must explain that I am very aware of people with disabilities and the stereotypical behavior of those who do not live with or care about those who do as my husband has MS and I work with many disabled people in the Medicaid system.
As I read this article my hair stood up on the back of my neck. I can only imagine how those who have a disability may have felt when they saw this. I immediately shot off an e-mail to the paper sharing my thoughts and concerns but was shocked by the unprofessional and inappropriate response from the editor.
I thought that people in this position had an obligation and a duty to make sure that these types of inappropriate humor/ publications never make it off the cutting board. I guess you are never too old to learn that things are not the way we think they should be. I guess people in small towns with small minds think they can say, write or do whatever they want.
I guess what I am most upset about is that this editor says and feels that because he is OK with this people like me or those who are disabled can continue to be used as a joke in a contest and we just have to deal with it. Please tell me that there is something you can do about this very concerning situation as I feel this individual just took the Americans with disabilities rights back 20 years.
Finally, Gabrielle Jackson reminds us all of an important fact – change begins with you:
"I’ve been called a retard several times. The first time I was called one I had no clue what it meant so I didn’t take it as offensive. When I finally understood what it meant I was severely hurt; it lowered my self esteem and I thought something was wrong with me. After I thought it over and talked to my parents about it I decided to tell people that I would not stand for being called such a name. It’s hurtful and cruel to say such a word; the change starts with me."
A Just Say Something Profile: Andrew McGeady – Future Advocacy Leader
Andrew McGeady began advocating for people with disabilities at a young age. His mother, Zinke, spurred his interest by taking him to meetings and conferences for more than 10 years. Today, he is the one taking her to meetings.
The 24-year-old Jackson resident is a veteran advocate for people with disabilities and a self-motivated learner. He has worked for many positive changes ranging from modifying outdated state policies that affect people with disabilities to having a new high school built in his community.
McGeady is a member of the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities (NJCDD) and an active supporter of its “Just Say Something” campaign. He is a blogger on the campaign website, and plans to help organize a series of Community Conversations in Ocean County later this year.
His current focus is the NJCDD’s “R-word” campaign, a sustained effort to end the use of the word “retarded” and the derogatory slur “retard.” McGeady distributes literature, R-word bumper stickers and mouse pads about the R-word whenever possible, to help raise awareness.
“My family and I will pass them out at school board meetings, public forums and any other meetings we go to,” said McGeady, who has cerebral palsy. “We’re just trying to get the word out.”
McGeady lives with his mother and sister, Jaime, 24. He has a busy schedule balances his studies, work, advocacy and a social life. He is currently studying liberal arts at Ocean County College and plans to eventually pursue a career in human services. He holds two part-time jobs: as a greeter at the Home Depot during the week and delivering pizzas for Cosimo’s Pizza on Saturdays. McGeady also volunteers at the state Division of Disability Services office once a week, where he handles data entry duties. He has been a board member of Disability Rights NJ for nearly three years.
In his free time, McGeady enjoys going to the movies with friends and attending concerts in Ocean Grove. He loves going to the boardwalk and out to eat in nice weather. He goes to the gym once or twice a week to swim, lift weights and ride an exercise bike.
“I just enjoy getting out and doing things, being out and about in the community,” McGeady said.
McGeady has served on ad-hoc committees as a student member of the Jackson Board of Education and has twice co-presented at the Elizabeth M. Boggs Center at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey workshop and Developmental Disabilities Lecture. He is working with Allies and the Boggs Center to form the first Faith and Light Ministry for people with disabilities in the state of New Jersey, as well as with the Family Support Center on “Snapshots of Our Lives.” He is meeting with state legislators as an advocate for keeping funding intact. He looks forward to being even more active in the future.
“One of my favorite quotes is ‘nothing about me without me,’” McGeady said. “I did not create this quote, but it describes my philosophy on self-direction. It is something I embrace.”
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