A group of Lehigh Valley high school students are on a campaign to end the use of the "R-word."
Led by senior Greg Coni, the group of Parkland High School students is working to bring awareness to the demeaning effects of using the word retarded or its abbreviation retard.
“It’s derogatory and it’s not meant to be used that way,” Coni said.
The teens, who work with special education students, are taking part in a nationwide campaign started by the Special Olympics to get their peers to pledge to stop using the term.
For Coni, the campaign is personal. His older sister Lauren is affected by Down syndrome and says the word is especially hurtful to him and his family.
“I know that she hears the "R-word" and is affected by it,” Coni said.
Students at the high school admitted to using the word but have pledged not to in the future.
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“You don’t really think of it when you say it at first but then you say it and you feel really bad,” student Christine Halcin said.
Many were in support of the cause and glad to sign the pledge banner.
“It’s a good cause and it’ll help raise awareness that it hurts people’s feelings,” student Daniel Shuey said.
Coni says he's excited to see all the signatures on the banner and the support from all the students. Along with this campaign, he is also working to raise money for the Special Olympics.
