Many students on campus use the word “retarded” in their daily lives, unaware that it is hurtful to some on campus. Best Buddies has arranged March 19-23 to be “End The ‘R’ Word Week”. This week will encourage students to stop using the word “retarded” in their daily conversations. Junior Kijon Mikes, a student with special needs, hopes End The “R” Word will allow people to become aware of how hurtful the word may be, and to decrease their usage of the word. Kijon has heard people say it before and thinks it’s “hurtful, mean, and ridiculous”.
This year, Best Buddies’ will be making signs, t-shirts, and buttons. Thursday March 22, the t-shirts will be sold during both lunches in the quad and there will be a petition available for students to sign to end the “R” word.
