People First Language

What's wrong with this conversation?

            "Who's that?"

            "Oh, that's the disabled girl with the wheelchair."

            "Is she one of those special education kids who don't go to a regular classroom?"

Most people would say that there isn't anything wrong with this conversation.  What they don't realize is that even if they don't use specific words, they can still be hurtful.  When people use phrases like disabled person or autistic kid, they are alienating that person even if they don't mean to.

People first language means that when you are talking, you put the person or people before the disability.  Instead of saying a disabled boy, say a person with a disability.  Instead of saying a paraplegic person, say a person with paraplegia.  Using people first language shows that you understand that they are people before they are disabled.  People first language is just one of many ways that we can increase world tolerance.

Not using people first language can cause people harm.  The victims, alone and depressed, can feel helpless and terrible about themselves.  When people first language is used, it helps everyone.

What's wrong with this conversation?
            "Who's that?"
            "Oh, that's the girl with a disability who uses a wheelchair."
            "Is she one of the kids who go to class in the special education classroom?"

Repost, repost, repost!

Here's another picture for you to repost to show your support of the Think First movement.

Coming Soon

Our tech people over here at Think First are hard at work, creating new media to spread the word about our cause.
Soon there will be:

• • Cartoons
  •  Catchy Tunes
  • Sharable Pictures
   

So be sure to check back soon!

The Replacements

When people use the words retard, retarded, or gay, they are targeting and degrading specific groups of people.  There are so many other options for words that they could use instead of those few words that aren't as offending. 

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Definitions

Definitions are technically the correct meaning of the word.  But in everyday conversations, words are used in ways that don't correspond to their dictionary definition.  

The correct definition of the word retarded is (according to the Merriam Webster dictionary): 
          
            Retard:(v) to slow down the development or progress of (something)  
            Retarded: (adj) slow or limited in intellectual or emotional development or academic progress 

In normal conversations, I have heard it used in many ways, that don't usually agree with this definition.  If they dislike someone, they'll say, "He's retarded!" or if they disliked a certain class, they'll say "It was so retarded."  If someone just makes a mistake, people will call them out by saying "What a retard!" 

The dictionary definition of the word gay is:
           Gay: (adj) 1) happily excited 2) bright, lively 3) attracted to someone who is the same sex; homosexual 

People use the word gay a lot.  The amount cannot be counted. I hear it on a daily basis.  In most cases, it's used as another word for dumb or boring.  People have said, "I hate reading, books are so gay." or "That was the dumbest test I ever took.  It was so gay."

People use these words everyday, casually and easily.   Not understanding what they say, people might not realize that they are being derogatory and hurtful to specific groups of people.  They think that they're just saying another word for stupid or dumb.  Using these words in negative connotations is offensive to these people. By learning about these words, we can help to make the world a more tolerant place.  We can spread the word and help to create awareness about how words can wound.

Hello!

Hi there! Welcome to Think First. If you keep checking back on our site, you'll find videos, songs, and pictures. Share these with your friends, repost them, anything you like. We just want to get the word out about words. People might not realize it, but when people say things like, 'that's so gay', or 'that's so retarded', they are calling out a specific group of people and dehumanizing them. We'll also be posting some other websites involved in this cause. Check them out if you'd like to help.