What does the word retard mean to you?

According to Merriam-Webster.com it means to slow up to prevent the advancement of an accomplishment.

However, because of how language has been transformed throughout the years into the slang that is so often used in this day and age, the word retard or retarded now refers to an individual being labeled as stupid.

On March 24 and 25, IVCC TEACH students, along with La Salle-Peru Township High School transition students worked together to raise awareness on how harmful this word can be, in what is known as the R-word campaign through Special Olympics Project Unify.

Over 300 signatures were gathered from both students and teachers to pledge not to use the R-word, but to use respect towards one another.

Everyone deserves respect because we are all different and all have our own flaws.

Therefore, to quote the theme of this year’s R-word campaign, “respect is key.”