The terms 'retard' and 'retarded' used to be used often to describe those with disabilities and handicaps, so why is it that nowadays they're seen as offensive words?

Because people say it to belittle others and it's not PC

It's like calling someone gay.
Being gay isn't bad.
But like calling someone a retard.
You're implying being a retard is bad.
A retard is a mental condition, not an adjective. xx
HOPE I HELPED!

Because people use the term to insult others

Why is gun a bad word? Everytime I hear Fancy on the radio, they censor it out.

Pejoration.

This is not the way to ask. v offensive

I am an advocate for people with special needs, as I am blessed to have a sibling with Down Syndrome.

The word "retard" is used by some people in everyday language to describe something as stupid. This is taking the medical label of people with special needs, and using it synonymously with something that doesn't deserve your time, attention, or love. By using the word retard, you are demoralizing people with special needs, and are basically taking away their human dignity. They deserve respect, because they are amazing people.

Stop with this nonsense. Should it be a good word.

Because it's used as an insult which demeans people who are actually mentally retarded by insinuating that they are less because they are retarded.

Because 4/5 of the mods are closeted britney fans.

Like Pumped Up Kicks...

google helps:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Censorship_of_music

I know a kid with a mental illness and he uses the word as a synonym for stupid and is totally fine with it. We need to respect peoples opinions and freedom of speech.

Exactly.

This isn't about ATRL.

Omg i'm sorry for what i just said

inb4 lock

and i usually don't get offended by slurs that much, but comparing a mentally disabled person to a stupid person is just not ok. they aren't stupid, at least not in the same way that people who call others retards mean, and you shouldn't associate them with that. it's just a really mean word

That's like saying it's okay to say ****** because your gay friend said it was. one person =\\= the majority of an entire community