quasify

Massachusetts has a Department of Mental Retardation?!?? Good grief. Sen. Karen Spilka says: “People don’t understand what they’re saying when they use the word retarded or how it affects people.” While Sen. Spilka’s actions are commendable, how was it that people in charge (Commissioner Gerald Morrissey and his predecessors) couldn’t have seen this see this was offensive anytime during the last 20 years or so? The primary directive of from the department’s mission statement’s is “Respect the dignity of each individual through vigorous promotion of the human and civil rights which, in part, strives to keep people free from abuse or neglect. Clue #1: respecting dignity is easier when your letterhead doesn’t slur those being respected.

PS: Bravery points to the Globe for refusing to take a position on the obvious.