Another R

 I know what many of you will say: "Marcia, Marcia, Marcia!"

To be fully transparent, I was always more of a Jan person myself, being a middle child, but this past week it was the eldest Brady Daughter who brought massive perspective to me. 

Yes, I understand that Marcia Brady is a fictional character, but the woman who played her all those years ago, Maureen McCormick would like us all to stop using the R word. If you are struggling with your internal dictionary looking for just exactly which R word she is referencing, congratulations. If you found yourself immediately landing on "oh, that one," then this would be a chance for you to listen carefully. 

Last Wednesday, Maureen posted this on her Instagram account: “Words—they can lift up or tear down. I do not understand how anyone can use the R word as a joke, for a laugh, or to bully or hurt someone. Please join me on Spread the Word Day and everyday in helping to end the R word. Let’s stand up against derogatory language, bullying and exclusion. Take the pledge now & make your voice count! brnw.ch/21wR7wG #ChooseToInclude”

I wonder who many Readers paused abruptly up there to click on the link to do what Marcia told you to do. I understand that the actual date for Spread The Word Day was March 5, but as an elementary school teacher, I will tell you that not only is the R word still in vogue, but in the past year or so it has experienced a kind of Renaissance. Unfortunately, Renaissance is not the R word to which we are Referring. 

I confess that there was a time when I used to preach the relative harmlessness of words. Sticks, stones, and those sort of things are what breaks bones. I used to insist this even though I know exactly which words were employed to break my spirit when I was a kid. I can also confess that there was definitely a time in my youth when I tossed many of those same words around with Reckless abandon. If I had been hurt by these words and survived, why shouldn't everyone have to deal with that reality? 

Simple answer: Because it's wrong. I can further my confession to say that it wasn't until our school welcomed in a special education class that I began to question my own Relationship to the R word. One of my favorite times of the week are the days that I get to spend an hour with my friends in Room 13. The patience, courage and excitement that I get to share with them provides me with a highlight for my week just about every time I walk in. It ahs been a solid Reminder to me of exactly how powerful words can be. No one should be diminished or dismissed with a single word. No one should be put down with a word that is so sadly limited. It only exists to degrade. 

Again, my apologies for the whole "Marcia" thing, but I'm pretty sure Jan would back her up on this. And I would like to ask your indulgence here if you have already made this change in your life and you were willing to listen to me work through some of my own demons. 

Choose To Include.