No More "R-word" Applications on Facebook

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    The Facebook Content Administrators and Legal Department
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    FB Users Against Content Demeaning to People with Developmental Disabilities
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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.

293 Signatures

  • Patrick Tutwiler
  • Michael Kronk
    • Comments
    • It's a shame that this is even necessary in this day and age.
  • Tamara
  • Nancy L. Alderigi
  • Sharon Sextus
  • Tania Younkin
  • Ashley Rose Johnson
    • Comments
    • I am a Self Advocate and a Disability impaired person
  • Heather E. Drees
  • Susan Stephens
    • Comments
    • No More "R-word" applications
  • Tina
    • Comments
    • The R-word should be erased from all vocabulary, just like all the racist slurs.
  • Meadow Schroeder
  • ara bezjian
  • Traci A Juarez
    • Comments
    • I will not tolerate the use of the "R" word on face book and anywhere else!
  • Gail Ash Cruickshank
  • Kent Moreno
    • Comments
    • We must embrace the dignity of all individuals!
  • Wendy Markowitz
  • Anna Maria Getz
    • Comments
    • People with Developmental Disabilites are the most wonderful on the Earth, and the best teachers!
  • melanie thomas
    • Comments
    • my son has cerebral palsy. This word is terrible and hurts feelings. It is very demeaning to many people.
  • LaTonya Sutton
  • Kevin B. Gilnack
  • Carissa Mattern
  • Alex
  • Hung Pham
  • Ruth Schaper
  • sheri cole
    • Comments
    • i agree with this and for the record my daugher is not the "r" word and if you could see her little face when people call her that or other degrading things to her, she may be only nine and a little behind but she still has feelings........
  • Nichole Thomason
    • Comments
    • В
  • Margaret Kardos
  • Melinda Bartlett
  • John H. Reese
    • Comments
    • The slur of that word is very demeaning and insensitive to those it hurts, the developmentally disabled.
  • Pam Berek
  • Lisa
  • robin scott
  • Leslie Rourke
  • Melissa Hoffman
  • Michelle Morin
    • Comments
    • I work in the field with individuals whom have a disability and feel that the R-word is not necessary
  • Hindie Becker Dershowitz
  • christine peet
    • Comments
    • this word is offensive and should not be used anymore on facebook. thank you!
  • Paul Eric Houser
  • Vickie Harmon
    • Comments
    • please remove all references!
  • Karla Yielding
  • Dawn Milner
  • Emily Bebber
  • Kristin Bottoni Greene
  • Sheryl DePriest
  • Michele
    • Comments
    • RID OF THE "R" WORD
  • kim burch
    • Comments
    • granmother of a disabled child, people need to be educated this kind of word is unexceptable!
  • Mary Stultz
  • Lorrie Willbergh York
  • Kayla Roth
  • Traci Beaman
    • Comments
    • I am and have always been against using this word. It is unacceptable in any situation to refer to anyone in this manner