Someone called it the death of empathy, but who can forget the image of a Nation’s President mocking a disabled person by public mockery like a caricature? Most of us have advanced beyond using the word “retarded” to describe those with all kinds of physical or developmental disabilities, but, unfortunately, not all.
It’s not just the use of a word, but what it represents – a denigration of persons with developmental disabilities or accidents of birth, and a way to distance ourselves from “them.” The division of the world into “us” and “them” is a way some people find the need to show their so-called superiority.
But it’s more than sad; it is not just denigrating. It is dangerous. It represents a form of tribalism that allows us to see the “them” as not fully human, as “we” see ourselves. Historically, such divisions have justified the worst forms of tribalism, such as racism and the genocide that results from it. And, for anyone who claims to be Christian, it is a denial of the inclusiveness of God.
Prayer for the Day
Embracing all as your children, O God,
You call us to embrace your creation as well;
Having given us all the spark of your divinity, O Lord,
You eradicate all lines between us.
Grant, O Holy One, that we do not divide ourselves,
Creating hateful categories that betray you.
In the name of the One who sees all equally,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
The term itself — the casual use of it — is a problem. The normalization of it will allow even more problematic terms to be normalized.
Adrienne Massanari, American University
The word ‘retarded’ is back, and it’s one of the great culture victories, probably spurred on by podcasts.
Joel Rogan after he used the word April 10
The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and God’s ear are open to their cry.
The face of the Lord is against evildoers, cutting off the remembrance of them.
When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and rescues them
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34 15-18