In The News

"Not Acceptable" Wins Award as Fearless Video

The hard-hitting "Not Acceptable" public service announcement has been named a "Fearless Video" award winner in the 2012 DoGooder Nonprofit Video Awards! It was one of four "Fearless" videos selected from over 1,000 entries in this new category sponsored by The Case Foundation.

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Cheers

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Adam McKay
(Mar 29, 2012)
Filmmaker Adam McKay agrees in a tweet to a parent of child with special needs to omit the R-word from the upcoming film "Anchorman 2" starring Will Ferrell.
John Lackey
(Mar 27, 2012)
After using the R-word in an interview with the Boston Globe, Red Sox pitcher John Lackey responds to outcry of our community and issues a same day apology.
NBA
(Mar 7, 2012)
NBA teams came together in support of Spread the Word to End the Word. Many teams hosted pledge drives at their local arena, met Special Olympics athletes and attended practices or competitions, used social media to promote the campaign, and more.
Game Informer
(Sep 1, 2011)
The popular website and online gaming community GameInformer.com committed to no longer allow the use of R-word on its' website after an inspiring call to action from one of its' users, IndieJones.
Kathie Lee Gifford
(May 26, 2011)
On Kathie Lee & Hoda's hour of the Today Show, comedian Rick Younger uses the R-word and Kathie Lee immediately speaks out, "We don't use that word here." Younger, to his credit, apologizes and later tweets several times to convey his genuine remorse and share the "Not Acceptable" PSA.
LeBron James
(May 9, 2011)
LeBron James apologizes for using the R-word during a news conference.
Kirstie Alley
(Apr 27, 2011)
Kirstie Alley apologizes for using the R-word on Twitter.
Lady Gaga
(Apr 21, 2011)
Lady Gaga apologizes for using the R-word in a news interview.
Bill Maher
(Apr 1, 2011)
Bill Maher invites Tim Shriver onto ‘Real Time with Bill Maher’ to discuss the R-word campaign.
Stephen Colbert
(Mar 30, 2011)
Stephen Colbert invites Tim Shriver onto The Colbert Report to discuss the R-word campaign.
Judge Marilyn Milian
(Mar 23, 2011)
On The People's Court, her honor Judge Marilyn Milian educates a defendant on the hurtful nature of the R-word.
Lauren Potter
(Mar 2, 2011)
Lauren Potter, who plays Becky Jackson on Fox’s hit show ‘Glee,’ spread the word about the hurtful effects of the r-word and bullying on individuals with intellectual disabilities in major entertainment media.
Singer Sarah Marince
(Feb 22, 2011)
Singer/songwriter Sarah Marince and her brother Michael create a video that talks about the hurtful effects of the word “retard(ed)” and why you should take the pledge to stop saying the R-word.

Jeers

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John Lackey
(Mar 27, 2012)
Boston Red Sox pitcher John Lackey calls the 'fried chicken and beer' controversy "retarded" in an interview with The Boston Globe.
The Descendants
(Nov 30, 2011)
The popular new movie, "The Descendants" has multiple uses of the R-word integrated into a gratuitous joke that may be hurtful for families with special needs.
The Change-Up
(Aug 8, 2011)
Universal Studio's new movie, "The Change-Up" uses derogatory language against people with intellectual and developmental disabilities as a punchline.
Tracy Morgan
(Jun 27, 2011)
Comedian Tracy Morgan uses the R-word multiple times in his stand-up comedy routine.
A.J. Burnett
(Jun 9, 2011)
New York Yankees pitcher A.J. Burnett responds to post game questions about his past successes against the Red Sox as "retarded."
LeBron James
(May 7, 2011)
NBA star LeBron James mutters “that’s retarded” in response to a reporter’s question to Miami Heat teammate Dwayne Wade.
Kirstie Alley
(Apr 27, 2011)
Kirstie Alley tweets “[…] I HATE spell check and my retarded index finger.”
Lady Gaga
(Apr 20, 2011)
Lady Gaga refutes song plagiarism by telling NME Magazine that the accusation is “retarded."
Martin Harty
(Mar 11, 2011)
New Hampshire state legislator Martin Harty suggests sending ‘Retarded’ to Siberia.

Latest News from Around the World

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Fort Collins teenager leads an effort to end use of the term "retard"	Denver Post	Mar 27, 2012
Orange High students stop using "R" word	WKYC	Mar 20, 2012
The "R" word is hurtful	Columbia Tribune	Mar 14, 2012
The Road to Respect	Special Olympics Project UNIFY Blog	Mar 13, 2012
“Spread the Word to End the Word”	Farmer Pride Daily (High School Newspaper)	Mar 9, 2012
Spread the Word to End the Word	Fox 8	Mar 7, 2012
Ending the R-word: Ban it or understand it?	CNN	Mar 7, 2012
Spread the Word to End the Word: It All Starts With Us	Maria Shriver (blog)	Mar 7, 2012
Would you call my child a retard?	Love That Max (blog)	Mar 7, 2012
Confessions of a former “R” word user	A Day in Mollywood (blog)	Mar 7, 2012
The R-Word, My Kryptonite	Oak Park-River Forest Patch	Mar 7, 2012
It's Not Just Another Word	The Betty and Boo Chronicles (blog)	Mar 7, 2012
Fort Collins student campaigns against 'R-word'	Coloradoan	Mar 7, 2012
Suckerpunched by the "R" word	The Hartley Hooligans (blog)	Mar 7, 2012
The Last Minority Slur at Harvard	The Harvard Crimson (student newspaper)	Mar 7, 2012
He hears you, he understands you	Adventures in Juggling (blog)	Mar 7, 2012
To Me…	The Flight of Our Hummingbird (blog)	Mar 7, 2012
Community Challenge \| Do your part to end the R-word	Courier Journal	Mar 7, 2012
Mom to Mom: The R-Word	Chambana Moms	Mar 7, 2012
One student's quest to eliminate the 'R word'	9 News Colorado	Mar 7, 2012
Is The R-Word Just A Word, Or Is It A Reflection Of Intolerance In Our World?	The R-word Reporter (blog)	Mar 7, 2012
Be the Change	Sycamore Sisters (blog)	Mar 7, 2012
Erasing the “R” word from state laws	Radio Iowa	Mar 6, 2012
The New R-Word: RESPECT!	Widening Circle (blog)	Mar 6, 2012
Campaigns work to end casual use of the "R-word"	The Daily Texan	Mar 5, 2012
Working together to end the R-word	Austin Daily Herald	Mar 3, 2012
Mardi Gras parade float raises awareness of the 'R-word'	Burlington Free Press	Mar 1, 2012
March Brings Annual Day of Action to Stop the R-Word: Mother’s Perspective	Yahoo! Sports	Feb 28, 2012
Ending Use of the 'R' Word	Arizona Public Media	Feb 27, 2012
Despite Increased Awareness, The R-word is Alive and Well	Autism Key	Feb 15, 2012
National effort aims to curb use of 'R-word'	USA Today	Jan 30, 2012
Ending the R-word	Huffington Post	Jan 9, 2012
Being Retarded	Herding Cats (blog)	Dec 23, 2011
Panel Students Discuss Impact of R-Word	UNC Mirror	Nov 18, 2011
Fans of Respect	Rural Missouri	Oct 1, 2011
Why You Need To Stop Using The 'R-Word'	Maple Grove Patch	Sep 27, 2011
Let’s get rid of the 'R’ word	St. Charles Journals	Aug 21, 2011
Language: Why the R-word is not OK	Pittsburgh Post Gazette	Jul 18, 2011
LeBron James apologizes for comment	ESPN.com	May 10, 2011

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03.07.12 Events

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The Art of Respect

April 17, 2012 04:00 p.m. - 06:00 p.m.
The Art of Respect reception recognizes the talents of Louisiana citizens who live with intellectual, developmental and/or physical disabilities. It will showcase artwork showing acceptance, inclusion, friendship, unity and respect.
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Spread the Word Concert

April 23, 2012 06:00 p.m. - 08:30 p.m.
Duquesne University's Best Buddies Chapter hosts its' annual concert to raise awareness for Spread the Word. We showcase our buddies, Duquesne talent, and special guest, Brittany Maier.
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R-word is supported by Special Olympics and Best Buddies and over 200 other organizations from around the world.

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The R-word Counter
It's amazing how often the word "retard" shows up on the Web. Use this site and share it, to underscore the challenge.
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The Event Kit
It's banners, posters, stickers, buttons, bracelets and a tote. Start strong!
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In The News

"Not Acceptable" Wins Award as Fearless Video

Also in the News:

Cheers

Adam McKay

John Lackey

NBA

Game Informer

Kathie Lee Gifford

LeBron James

Kirstie Alley

Lady Gaga

Bill Maher

Stephen Colbert

Judge Marilyn Milian

Lauren Potter

Singer Sarah Marince

Jeers

John Lackey

The Descendants

The Change-Up

Tracy Morgan

A.J. Burnett

LeBron James

Kirstie Alley

Lady Gaga

Martin Harty

Latest News from Around the World

Join Us to End the Word

R-word Newsletter

Find Us On Facebook

Latest On Twitter

03.07.12 Events

The Art of Respect

Spread the Word Concert

Supporting Organizations

Spread the Word Logos

T-shirts, Mugs, Hats, More...

The R-word Counter

The Event Kit

Go Viral