Spread the word to END the word

How many of you have been called a retard? I know I have. How many of you have called someone retarded? I know I have. How many of you have used the phrase, “what, are you mental or something?” I know I have. How many of you have thought twice about saying or calling someone a retard before actually saying it? . . . 

The Special Olympics and Best Buddies organizations amongst other disability organizations have teamed up to combat this “R” word. Both organizations believe that this word is hurtful, and I fully agree with them. 

How is this word hurtful? Number one, it was offensive. It is offensive to those people who have an intellectual disability. It makes them feel bad and makes them feel apart and different from society. Being classified as an individual with an intellectual disability sets them apart from the world, they are their own little group. When you called someone a “retard” you are throwing them into this group. What these organizations are trying to say is that these people do not want to be thought of as a separate group in society, they want to feel a part of society.

Number two, using the “R” word is considered hate speech. Why? Because by calling someone who does not have an intellectual disability you are throwing them into a category in which they are not, in other words you are degrading people into something that they are not. In addition to this, you make the people who do have intellectual abilities feel more apart from the world and different. They just want to be people. 

The term mental retardation was originally used by medical doctors as a classification. It has now broadened into society as an insult towards people who have intellectual disabilities. Society has begun to use the “R” word in place of calling people dumb or stupid. Using the “R” word is more derogatory and hurtful.

In 2004, the Special Olympics International Board of Directors adopted the phrase “intellectual disabilities” and no longer uses the phrase “mental retardation”. On October 5, 2010, President Barak Obama singed into law via Senate Bill 2781 Rosa’s Law. This law removes the phrases “mental retardation” and “mentally retarded” from all federal health policies. Federal Health organizations are now required to use “people first language”. People-first language is using the phrase “intellectual disability”. By using people-first language we acknowledge that those people who do have a disability are truly people, just like an other person in the world. Just because they have a disability does not mean that they are impaired from being a fully functional individual. 

The goal of the Special Olympics and Best Buddies as well as other disability organizations is to focus on the positive. Do not call those who have intellectual disabilities retarded or a retard, instead call them brave, call them brilliant, call them a leader, call them a captain, call them an artist, and call them a hero. Let them know that they are not let out of this world and that they are truly special human beings. 

I invite you to join me in combating this “R” word. Get the message out there how hurtful it is to call someone retarded or a retard. Honestly, if your intention is to let someone know how unintelligent that they are being, call them stupid or dumb, for stupid and dumb are the correct terms to be used in this situation. Actually, how about we begin to learn from our mistakes and not make it known how unintelligent someone is being, but instead try to help them become a better individual. I do not think that people realize how hurtful this word is. This word effects all of those people with intellectual disabilities. These disabilities include: ADD, ADHD, Asperger Syndrome, Autism, Down’s Syndrome, Dyslexia, Epilepsy, Trisomy, and Tourette’s Syndrome amongst others.

Visit: http://www.r-word.org/r-word-take-action.aspx to sign the pledge to combat the “R” word. I know that I am going to do my best to refrain this word from my vocabulary. People say that actions speak louder than words, however in some instances words can speak louder than one’s actions.

☮ ~ ♥

KONY 2012

Alright so this KONY 2012 movement has recently heightened due to the fact that this is the last year that the president of the United States will do anything about it. After having read some mixed feelings on Facebook about the said “legit-ness” of this movement, I decided to go out and do a little research. I mean... yes I will admit, I jumped on this KONY bandwagon, merely because of its message... but after having jumped I began to think to myself, “okay why am I suddenly on this wagon, yet have no idea what it is about or what is going on.” Now many Facebook users (adults, teens, tweens, and the like) honestly know nothing about this movement. I can say that with full belief because after having done my research I understood that even I didn’t know what on earth was going on. So for all the people that are taking the time to read this right now, here is an overlook on what the situation has been and is about.

Let’s just start out by saying that it is obvious to note that the Ugandan government has partaken in violence throughout the nation’s history. So yes, they have not only exhibited violence and killing civilians, but a lot has changed (government displaying violence wise) since the beginning.

The beginning of the Ugandan crisis stems from the fighting Ugandan People’s Democratic Army (UPDA) against the National Resistance Army (NRA). Now, the NRA was created in 1986 by a man named Museveni and gained its power via a military coup that ended the decades of dictators in Uganda. Seems like an okay army right? Not so much. This army violated peace treaties and inserted violence into the Ugandan nation. Because of all of this “back stabbing” the people decided to create the UPDA to defend the northern Ugandan’s against NRA. However, the UPDA did not last long and ended up signing a peace treaty with the NRA, and it prevailed once again. 

Next came to rise of the Holy Spirit Movement (HSM) led by Lakwena. Lakwena’s goal was  to purify the Acholi society (people of Sudan) and to liberate the northern people away from the NRA. However, once again the NRA found its way into defeating the HSM. 

Now here comes the important information that is relevant to this whole KONY movement. Joseph Kony formed UPDA member and Catholic preacher, founded the Uganda Christian Democratic Army in 1988 (later renamed Lord’s Resistance Army in 1991). This army attacked local civilians that got in his way of trying to purify and marginalize the Acholi people. In essence he felt that he was supposed to take on the work of Lakwena. And if you really want to make a comparison... let’s take a look at Hitler, did he not want to get rid of people who interfered with his vision of an Arian society? Kony’s army proceeded to lose members of his army due to the lack of support and feelings of forced enlistment. So what did Kony do? He turned towards the children of Uganda. He began to abduct them from their homes and proceeded to force them into his army. How did he use this? It was the skilled use of psychological warfare that Kony was able to turn some of the children against their families to feel as if being abducted was okay. As if this wasn’t horrible enough, he turned the girls that he abducted into sex slaves and made them become the wives of some of his commanders. Furthermore, he made the children mutilate their own families using weapons such as machetes and other kinds of blunt objects. 

In 1996, the Ugandan government finally opened its eyes and saw that there was a problem going on within its society and created “protected villages” that people could escape to in order to be protected from the LRA. These villages failed, and it prevailed to be a nightmare for the Ugandan people. In the year 2004, the Ugandan government tried to institute safe camps for the children to escape to. About 1.7 million people came to these camps. Due to the “horrible-ness” of these camps, later in 2005 it was reported that almost 1,000 people were dying each week due to the poor conditions. These conditions being starvation, poor sanitation, trauma, and diseases (highly HIV/AIDS). 

After refusing to negotiate in peace talks, Joseph Kony was cited by the International Criminal Court as a criminal on charges of war crimes and humanity crimes. The citing has caused him to become the number ONE person on their list. Unbelievable. In 2008, there was another failed peace attempt, mainly because Kony did not show up and decided to proceed to kidnap and harm children instead. 

In December of 2008, with the help of the United States troops, the Ugandan Army tried to launch and operation (Operation Lightening Thunder) in order to surprise the rebel leaders who were ordering attacks on civilians and also an attempt to find the location Kony. However, Kony learned of the plan and moved his location and hasn’t been sighted or heard of since. 

Invisible Children is an organization that was founded by 3 men after their visit to Uganda in 2003. In 2005, they released a video Invisible Children: Rough Cut which displayed the horrors that they encountered during their visit. This is real footage, it has not been fabricated, it has not been made up. They have been tracking the situation of the LRA and the abductions of children in Ugandan, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. They have met a young boy, Jacob, and they know his story and they know how horrible the situation actually is. Their main concern: freeing the children from a horrible situation. 

What is the reason of KONY 2012 hype now? The reason is because after taking their concern to Washington D.C. and President Obama okaying the deployment of U.S. Troops to help Ugandan Army with the situation, he told them that this was the last year that the troops would be in Uganda. Why? There has been no foreseen movement of Kony since 2008 and therefore they are getting no where and are no longer seeing this as an important need for Americans to be paying attention to. The founders of Invisible Children see this as an important need for Americans to see, which is why they are urging everyone to become aware of the situation, for the CHILDREN’S SAKE. Think about it... would you want your sons, daughters, brothers, or sisters to be in a situation like this? “Well were not in that situation so I do not have to think about it” many of you may be thinking, however we need to think outside of the box and think about what really matters. What do you think we could have done with the tools and resources that we have today that we could have done to help the victims of the Holocaust? Would you sit around and do nothing or would you try to do something to know that you were trying to help a good cause? 

As for the whole bandwagon crap going around. You know what... band wagons need to happen. It really irks me when people say “get lost all you band wagon people” or something of that nature. For example, this past Super Bowl between the Patriots and the Giants obviously the nation is going to have band wagon people because for starters their team is either out and rooting for one or they are simply just rooting for one team because they are rivals to their or something of the like. Now this band wagon is different than that of sports, but this band wagon needs to get rolling and it is for a good thing. America has been so critical lately, of everything. It does not hurt for someone to suddenly become moved or motivated by a situation for a day. Honestly. 


Why the sudden blow up?  The fact that new technology has come to rise since the release of the Invisible Children video in 2005. I think the thing right now is that they are utilizing the fact that social networking is a lot bigger than it was 20 years ago and even from 6 years ago when the documentary was first released. I think they are reintroducing the message and what is happening to the new generations and to the new users of YouTube and Facebook and Twitter. They are showing how effective the media is and are demonstrating how people can move together and let their voices be heard. It's how policies happen, they can't go unignored.

What do you think the point of a 30 minute video is? To un-educate people or to educate them... To re-educate the people who of have known about the issue and to educate those who have no idea about it... They educate and then they invite. They do not beg and plead for donation or for people to partake in this movement. They are asking and letting people know how they can do something whether it's putting up posters, sharing the video, making a donation, talking about it or writing about it. They are informing people of how not to be a bystander. People may not know the in depth nature about the situation, but from the video they learn enough to act and make a choice to help these people have their voices be heard.

I think a lot people know and understand that it has been an issue for a while, a least the policy makers. The Invisible Children organization is just trying to make sure that it doesn't get forgotten because it is a real and serious issue. And honestly people can print their own posters and what not they do not necessarily need to pay. And some people if they feel impassioned to do so can donate a one time amount. I think the people buying these kits are schools and other organizations. I do not think its individuals who are buying it, but then again may be they are... 

The job that the organization hopes for people all over the world to do is this: BLOW IT UP.... teens, college students, adults, and they like. Watch this video  because some generations missed out on what was happening in 2005 and prior and some were too young to understand and realize what's going on. It is important to blow it up to get it to the policy makers and bring it back with strength.

For all of those who say that the LRA has been inactive... yes they have been inactive in Uganda since 2006, however they are carrying out their mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo and in Sudan. This issue is still current and it is still relevant, and unless it can be stopped and noted around the world, it will continue to go on.

This is all just my opinion so take it with a grain of salt. Interpret it with what you will. 

Facts stem from: 

www.invisiblechildren.com/history-of-the-war

www.theresolve.org/history

☮ ~ ♥

A True Athlete...

I know this is REALLY long...but it is my definition essay for my ENG 102 class. I thought it would be interesting to share with all of you. 


         Athletes can be found all over the world, but what makes up a true athlete? Are they those who put in hours and hours of practice a week or are they the ones who play a sport for fun? Some people believe that a true athlete is more than just a typical athlete. In order for a person to be a true athlete, the definition is rooted deeply within the person. A true athlete cannot be fabricated, it is something that is born innately within the person. A true athlete is an athlete who gives 110%, who has a love, passion, and a desire to play the game, and who is more mentally smart than physically smart.

         According to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary an athlete is defined as, “a person who is trained or skilled in exercises, sports, or games requiring physical strength, agility, and stamina”. Another dictionary definition of an athlete is, “characterized by or involving physical activity or exertion; active; physically strong and well developed; muscular”. Although these definitions are true in describing an athlete, they lack in defining what a true athlete is. Yes, a true athlete encompasses all of these qualities, however the qualities defined above merely describe someone who partakes in an sporting event. For someone to be considered a true athlete there needs to be more qualities than physical qualities. Just like the saying, “there is more to a person than meets the eye”, there is more to an athlete than the physicality of the athlete. Almost anyone can be considered an athlete, however are they true athletes?

         A true athlete needs to be able to give 110% in the sport that they play. So often there have been athletes who become lackadaisical in their movements because they have become fatigued from playing. A true athlete will play all quarters of the game if needed be because they want to show that they are there to play the game and not just to gain fame or money. A main reason why true athletes need to give 110% is to show that they are trying to better themselves. They want to become the best that they can be. An example of giving 110% is by practicing different skills and concepts after a practice, or staying an hour after practice to enhance their skills. Another example of giving 110% is going full out in a game. A true athlete will run the extra mile to tackle a running back who is inches away from the goal line. Even though this athlete is tired and sore from the numerous beatings in the game, they will go the extra length to stop the other team from scoring. 

         In football, one of the main players on defense is the free safety. The free safety is the last line of defense and the last effort to try to prevent the team from scoring. Before the quarterback releases the ball from his hand, the free safety needs to anticipate where he is going to throw the ball. This way, the free safety can either intercept the football or tackle the receiver immediately. This is an example of how a true athlete needs to be more mentally smart than physically smart. A regular athlete will wait on his or her heels before seeing where the ball is being thrown. They might be physically fast enough to reach the player before the goal line, but would it not have been more beneficial if the receiver was tackles 15 yards away from the goal line? An athlete can be the most muscular guy on the team, but that does not necessarily mean that they are the smartest athlete. A great American baseball player, Yogi Berra, once said, “Baseball is 90% mental, the other half is physical.” While Berra said this about baseball, it can be applied to all sports. 

         The most important criteria of being a true athlete is that they need to have a love, passion, and a desire to play the game. This is important because this allows the athlete to be unselfish and to play for the betterment of the team. Many professional athletes today just care about playing for money. Meaning that their professional career becomes all about money versus being the best that they can be and wanting to help the good of the team. When athletes play having a love, passion, and a desire to play, they never become tired of the sport, nor do they give up if their teams sucks or if their become injured. It is amazing to see how many professional athletes waste away their true talent just to receive large amounts of money. A true athlete is not in it for the money, they are in it for the love of the game and because it makes them happy and feel good to get out there and do something that they love to do. 

         A person whom exemplifies a true athlete is Patrick Tillman. Pat Tillman grew up considered too little to play football. He attended Arizona State University and signed into the National Football League with the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals believed in Pat’s potential to be a great athlete and to succeed in the sport. They were right. Tillman thoroughly enjoyed playing football because he loved the sports, he was passionate about it, and he desired to play it no matter what anybody thought about him. Tillman has always been a team player and is one of the most unselfish football players of all time. Pat Tillman gave up millions of dollars to stay with the Cardinals versus signing with a different football team. He chose to stick with the Cardinals because they believed in him from the beginning of his career and gave him a chance to show the world how great of an athlete he was. In the end, Tillman made the ultimate sacrifice and gave up what he loved most to go and defend his country in war. 

         True athletes give more than what their body has to give, meaning they give a full 110%. In addition to this, a true athlete should be more mentally smart than physically smart and should want to play the sport because they have a love, passion, and desire for the game. Many people can object to these criteria and say that an athlete is anyone who plays a sport. While this is true, the question in mind is what is a true athlete. True athletes are like diamonds in the rough, they are difficult to find but gleam like the stars when they are found.

Thanks for reading. 

☮ ~ ♥