I remember the story in hazy memories. A girl constantly chatted, with no regard for how her words impacted others and herself. One day, her father told her to write down all her words on a piece of paper and let the wind blow them away. Finally, he ordered her to bring back every single piece of paper. Of course, it was an impossible task.
This explores the weight of words and their impact on others. In other words, it asks people to think before they speak.
Now, as a teenager in high school, I realize just how important that lesson is.
In the modern day, using derogatory language, or slurs, is not just considered outdated; it is also dangerous and offensive. Several slurs have been re-evaluated by various communities and are now considered socially unacceptable to say.
But recently, I’ve noticed that certain slurs have become common in the hallways of Carlmont and other communal spaces. The R-word, in particular, is carelessly thrown around, used to describe people or actions the speaker deems “stupid.”
The R-word was originally coined in the 20th century as a medical term to describe individuals with intellectual disabilities. However, it eventually transformed into a hurtful slur used in everyday language.
One pattern I’ve noticed is that these words are used by everyone, regardless of ability. I vividly remember one of my classmates, who was known to be academically gifted, laughing with her friends about the “R-word” kid trying to talk to her.
Whether that student was intellectually disabled or not, throwing around this label is not only hurtful but also increases the stigma surrounding people with disabilities.
Furthermore, the word “sped,” short for “special education,” has also been incorporated into modern-day slang as a derogatory term. In online forums, both “sped” and the R-word have made a resurgence.
Although the anonymity of the internet may be a reason these words are shamelessly thrown around, the fact that they are used offline and taken lightly reflects the problematic aspects of our culture.
This harmful ideology is perpetuated even by politicians on both sides of the political spectrum. In 2024, the New York Times reported that Donald Trump used the R-word to describe then-Vice President Kamala Harris. In April 2026, Maine Democratic Senate Candidate Graham Platner apologized for his use of the R-word in a newspaper article.
It is frankly wrong for politicians who are supposed to represent all their constituents, regardless of ability, to be using such degrading language. Furthermore, their actions set an example for many people and could therefore encourage the use of slurs.
As students in a diverse learning community, we should be careful about our words. Some will say that this is censorship. But there is a line between hate and criticism. When a student uses the R-word, they are not offering criticism or expressing a valid opinion. They are simply projecting hate and anger, and harming everyone involved.
Even as a middle schooler, I distinctly remember students using the R-word. No one is born with prejudice, but it is clear that it starts young. Whether my classmates learned these words at home, online, or through friends, the result is still the same: a society that excuses hate at the expense of its victims.
Our words carry weight. They have the wonderful ability to bring others joy, but also to hurt. We need to be aware of how our culture has normalized disability-related slurs.
I know how difficult it is to choose words carefully. But a word, no matter how harsh it is, can be surprisingly easy to roll off the tongue. And saying that “it’s not that deep” or “everyone says it” does not excuse the harm it causes and the way it perpetuates a vicious cycle of ostracization.
