Nanny State Bans The 'R' Word
Gov. Chris Christie approves N.J. law removing offensive references to people with disabilities
"Gov. Chris Christie today made it illegal for state laws or rules to identify anyone with a developmental or intellectual disability as "mentally retarded" by signing legislation sought by people who have felt belittled by the term.
Mental retardation was once a medical diagnostic term, but society turned it into something derogatory, said Tom Baffuto, executive director of the Arc of New Jersey. The nonprofit was founded as the Association for Retarded Citizens until people complained and it changed the name nearly 20 years ago.
Elizabeth Shea, the Arc’s assistant executive director, said the law’s passage is one step in the direction of ridding the hurtful terms from every day conversation.
"We’d like New Jersey to get to a place where you can’t use the ‘R’ word with it being inflammatory,’’ she said."
Irreverent references to politicians coming next.
"Gov. Chris Christie today made it illegal for state laws or rules to identify anyone with a developmental or intellectual disability as "mentally retarded" by signing legislation sought by people who have felt belittled by the term.
Mental retardation was once a medical diagnostic term, but society turned it into something derogatory, said Tom Baffuto, executive director of the Arc of New Jersey. The nonprofit was founded as the Association for Retarded Citizens until people complained and it changed the name nearly 20 years ago.
Elizabeth Shea, the Arc’s assistant executive director, said the law’s passage is one step in the direction of ridding the hurtful terms from every day conversation.
"We’d like New Jersey to get to a place where you can’t use the ‘R’ word with it being inflammatory,’’ she said."
Irreverent references to politicians coming next.
posted by nolocontendere at 5:40 AM
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