No More "R-word" Applications on Facebook

To:  The Facebook Content Administrators and Legal Department

Most individuals in our society have come to realize that prejudice is an unacceptable social evil and would consider it reprehensible if a member of a minority group were referred to by a slur, especially in a public forum.

Unfortunately, our society has yet to fully embrace the concept that individuals with developmental disabilities are equal members of the human community, and are thereby entitled to the same dignity and respect as everyone else.

Currently there exists dozens of quizzes on Facebook which ask in some form "How retarded are you?"

Facebook would never allow an application called "What type of ________ (insert racial slur) are you?" They must extend this same respect and consideration to individuals with developmental disabilities.

We hereby request that Facebook adopt the same standards for the word "retard" and its variants (when used to refer to someone or something in a negative and demeaning manner) that one would for racial slurs. And where appropriate, we request that Facebook remove from their site applications or other items that rob individuals with developmental disabilities of their dignity and respect through the use of disparaging language.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The No More "R-word" Applications on Facebook Petition to The Facebook Content Administrators and Legal Department was created by FB Users Against Content Demeaning to People with Developmental Disabilities and written by Patrick Tutwiler (ptutwiler@ucp.org).  This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no endorsement of this petition, express or implied, by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. For technical support please use our simple Petition Help form.