Whats the r word on tiktok

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Social media users are becoming concerned that the R-Slur is being normalised on TikTok, and many are taking to the app to raise awareness of its offense.

A movement is currently taking place on TikTok that sees users fighting to stop people from using the R-Slur on social media. It’s a term that gets thrown around a lot, and people often do not realise its hurtful origins.

So what is the R-Slur? And why is the term disrespectful?

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What is the R-Slur on TikTok?

As you’ve been scrolling through TikTok, you may have come across people referring to the R-Slur or the R-Word.

The R-Slur is slang for the word ‘retard’ or ‘retarded’, and a number of videos have recently emerged that see TikTok users warning against the use of the word, fearing that it has been normalised on social media.

So why is the R-Slur a hurtful term? Let’s explore it’s origins…

The origins of the R-Slur explored

TikTok users are currently urging others to stop using the R-Slur on social media, as despite being a word that is often thrown around casually, it is actually very offensive.

The word ‘retard’ was first introduced as a medical term in 1961 to refer to people with mental disabilities.

However, after the term began being used negatively, Barack Obama signed Rosa’s Law in 2010 which changed the term ‘mental retardation’ to ‘intellectual disability’ in U.S. federal law.

Now, the term is commonly used to describe somebody who is ‘stupid’, ‘dumb’ or ‘unintelligent’, and many people often do not realise that the term is a slur and is extremely offensive.

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TikTok users raise awareness of the R-Slur

A movement is currently taking place on TikTok that sees users educating others and urging them not to use the R-Slur on social media.

Using the R-Slur is a derogatory and ableist phrase that prejudices people with disabilities and TikTok users are becoming increasingly concerned that the term has been normalised and its hurtful meaning has been lost.

In 2009, the Spread the Word: Inclusion campaign was created to encourage schools, organisations and communities around the world to take action and raise awareness of the harmful effects of the R-Slur.

As of January 2021, more than 821,926 people around the world have taken an online pledge to end the use of the R-Word and ensure that people with disabilities feel included and accepted around the world.

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You might have been on TikTok recently and noticed that yet another thing was trending on the app. But this time, it wasn't some catchy choreography or viral food recipe. Instead, it was a word — more specifically a slur — that many of the people on the app are trying to cancel. The power the internet has never ceases to amaze! 

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The "R" slur circulating TikTok stands for the word "r----d" and / or "r----ded." It's gotten a lot of traction on TikTok because some users are afraid that, if people comfortably say it, although it is offensive, then its usage could be normalized.

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Unfortunately, the word has somewhat become one that's used lightly in conversation in a derogatory manner. And who knows if the people who are using it actually understand what it means and where it came from. On that note, it feels like a good time to educate and provide the background and proper definition of the "R" word (sadly) turned "R" slur.

On TikTok, the "R" word has been used very casually and in an insulting way, which is very hurtful. In 1961, the words "mental r----dation" were brought to existence from the medical world, which was initially used as a way to describe those who had intellectual disabilities.

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But years after it was introduced, people started associating it with a hurtful tone. Because of that, this led President Obama to sign "Rosa's Law" in 2010 which changed it to "intellectual disability" in United States federal law. Since it is now not used in a professional capacity, it is seen as slander.

Here's a really useful and quick explainer about the word and why it has become a slur. 

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Users on TikTok are making videos in an attempt to stop the overall usage of the "R" slur.

On TikTok, hashtags are often the reason why trends become viral and how users get their videos to gain views. The trend of trying to stop the "R" slur from being a regularly used word to make others feel sad and hurt is so popular that there are quite a few hashtags that exist — with thousands and even millions of views — that people use in the captions of their videos to spread the word. 

Some frequently used ones are: "#rslurshouldnotbesaid," "#rslurisntfunny," and "#stopsayingtherslur."

People on the app are also making videos using a clip of 6ix9ine's song "TATI" as the sound aka the background music. In the song, the "R" slur is said and users have used it in their videos to call out that the usage of the word, wherever and however, is not OK whatsoever.

What does R mean in TikTok?

The R-Slur is slang for the word 'retard' or 'retarded', and a number of videos have recently emerged that see TikTok users warning against the use of the word, fearing that it has been normalised on social media.

What is the D word on TikTok?

The "d-slur" is another way of saying the derogatory and homophobic slang word "dyke", which means lesbian. It's often used to describe a masculine or "butch" lesbian in particular.