Offensive Words

I recently tried to express why I found the words "short bus" and "retard" offensive when they were used as synonyms for stupid, dumbass, etc. This spawned a rather heated argument that then turned into threats. (all on Facebook-fun social networking!)
Anyway, this eventually led me to find the group, "I am Insulted by How Much of a Retard You Are". It's only for fun! If you don't have a sense of humor don't look at it!
This led me to wonder, if, you know, just for fun, I created a group called "I am Insulted by How Much of a N*gger You Are" or "I am Insulted by How Much of a F*ggot You Are", would Facebook allow it to remain on the site?
It is precisely the same thing. If I put pictures of stereotypically "gay" or "urban" looking people doing dumbass stuff and said, "Oh, it's just for fun! Don't be such a PC asshole!". All of these examples and the actual group have lots in common: they are all people who are used as fodder for low-brow comedy and jokes; they all are stereotyped as behaving/acting/dressing certain ways; none deserve the ridicule and harassment they receive; and on an on.
It's not okay to marginalize any group and treat them as inferior, second class citizens. It irks me that people seem to think hateful speech is okay when it is paraded as parody or comedy. I do think their are some writers and performers who can pull off great parodies including race, disability, sexuality, and other sensitive issues. Their work generally highlights the inequalities in a way that the bigots being prejudiced are the main objects of ridicule, though they don't seem to realize it.
I'm not a prude and I'm not overly politically correct. I merely wish that people with cognitive disabilities weren't viewed as stupid and dumb. I wish they weren't easy prey for morally bankrupt individuals. I wish they weren't the unknowing and unwitting butt of jokes for people who look for the easiest targets to lampoon. I guess I'm saying that I wish they were treated like feeling, thinking human beings.

Disabilities- Good fun to be had by all!

I admit that I'm a bit biased when it comes to people with disabilities, especially autism, but still, is it so wrong to not find the placement of disabilities in pop culture so offensive? Am I becoming a PC prude (hmm, not to be confused with Mac prudes...)?



Some recent annoyances:



Two and a Half Men- I like this show, even though it's very repetitive plot lines are predictable. However, although the womanizing, depiction of alcoholics as funny (and maybe to be envied), bimbo stereotypes, and "flaming" gay men pass under my PC radar (again, there's the lack of personal link to the slandered groups...), the "slow" and "retard" jokes really strike a nerve. There was a recent rerun titled, "Love isn't blind, it's retarded..." I'd like to clarify that I don't find the jokes at the expense of women, homosexuals, and alcoholics funny either, but they aren't my personal crusade I suppose. Women, homosexuals, and to a lesser extent, alcoholics, can generally fend for themselves.

3OH!3-I suppose maybe I should calibrate my annoyance and offense at things to the caliber of the source, but I'm too touchy for that. The song Don't Trust Me certainly shouldn't rank up there with Congressman Jeff Sessions saying that students with disabilities should be segregated and punished harshly, but it irks me nonetheless.
Aside from the inspiring chorus of "never trust a ho", here are some more choice lyrics: "Shush, girl! Shut your lips! Do the Helen Keller and talk with your hips". Hmm, an icon of hope and inspiration for generations of people with disabilities and their families is reduced to a reference for using body language to express your sexual urges. Hmm, I wonder how many people who've heard this song don't know who Helen Keller is?

Article- I forget the article, but I might as well mention it. It's been a few years, but (as you can tell) it's stayed in my mind since. The United States was referred to as Canada's neighbor or sibling with Asperger's Syndrome. I guess that's supposed to mean we are socially awkward/ignorant. Not really sure. Maybe it meant that we have sensory issues and really hate those tags in our undies and t-shirts. Hmm...