End the Word

It's happening right now. Across the United States, people on college campuses, in high school cafeterias and workaday offices are working to “Spread the Word to End the Word.” The goal: make people stop and think about their hurtful and disparaging use of the word “retard.” Spread the Word to End the Word is raising the consciousness of society about the dehumanizing and hurtful effects of the R-word and urge people to pledge to stop using it as an insult, casual or intended. There are more than 700 events and activities happening throughout the United States – and around the world. Celebrities and just plain folks are putting on Spread The Word T-shirts, buttons or stickers or making signs and placards and banners to make it clear that usings the word "retard" as a term of derision is just as cruel and offensive as any other slur.
Special Olympics web site

The actor John C. McGinley, best known for his role on "Scrubs", is also the father of a child with Down syndrome. Please check out his "Spread the Word" message. On the Bonnie Hunt show recently, he said:

"When you pick on that group, you've picked the perfect storm of cowardice to exercise your vitriol, because they're not going to return serve. They're equipped to hug not hit"