pledge.

Anyone who peeks at my blog fairly often knows that there is one subject in particular that I like to write about.

My brother Matt.

Can you blame me? I mean, if this was your brother, you'd blog about him too.

And that is what I'm going to blog about tonight.

But, I'm going to blog about him a little differently. Because there is something big going on right now. Now let me tell you, I despise "movements" but this is something I can get behind. Because it's important and it's LONG overdue. The Special Olympics is sponsoring a movement called "stop the r-word." They are trying to get 100,000 people to pledge by March 31 to stop using the r-word. Now if you haven't figured out what I'm talking about yet, it's the word retard, or retarded.

Ug. I'm going to get brutally honest now. Buckle up. Even writing that word makes me throw up a little bit in my mouth. And let me clarify why.

BECAUSE THAT WORD IS OFFENSIVE.

It is.

Just in case you weren't sure, or didn't know, or think that maybe because most people use it it's not offensive, it is. Extremely. To me. And to alot of people. Including my brother, who by the way, understands what that word means, AND understands when it's used as a derogatory term.

Look into his face and tell me it's not offensive.

When I was in high school, and a bit more immature and fiery, you didn't want to be in the same room with me if you or any one around you let the r-word slip. Because, boy and how, I would cloud up and rain all over you. Since then I've grown up a bit (I hope) and learned a few things (a very few). And I've grown more understanding. I realize that not everyone had the PRIVILEGE of growing up next to such a remarkable human being, and that most people just grow up thinking it's another way to say stupid, or clumsy, or ridiculous.

But really THINK about what that denotes.

And while you're thinking let me share what happens inside of me when someone around me uses the r-word. My heart literally drops in my chest, I feel sick to my stomach, and my palms get clammy. It's a little bit like having an out-of-body experience. The room becomes a tunnel, and the conversation around me turns into a strange echoy sound, while I sit there, wondering if I should say something, about exactly HOW offensive that word is to me.

What I've realized however, is that people as a whole, are NOT malicious. I really doubt anybody wants to hurt me, or my brother, or anyone else as special as him, when they use the r-word. The problem is societal. Have you noticed that other derogatory words that were at one time viewed as normal, are now seen as socially inappropriate?

And that is what this movement is all about. We have to change society's view on the use of this word and make using this word socially unacceptable. Because it should be.

"Our choice of language frames how we think about others. It is time to respect and value people with intellectual disabilities. It is time to accept and welcome us as your friends and neighbors.

Change the conversation...stop using the r-word."

~Statement from r-word.org.

I have pledged. Even though, I don't use that word, ever. I pledged anyway.

Now here comes your part. I know that blogging, and the Internet can be used for good. Make the pledge. And let me know if you did. I want to feel good about the human race, because dang it all, we can do some pretty cool things. Leave me a comment, even if you don't know me. Even if you just stumbled onto my blog randomly, or you've been looking at it for months, and let me know if you are willing to pledge to stop using the r-word, and encourage others to do the same. Go visit the S.O. website get a button to post on your pages. Put this message out on your blog, myspace, email, facebook. Let people know that you too can stand up and defend people who are unable to defend themselves. I will thank you. And so will my brother.