Ban the word "r*tard" and all variations from Twitch.
Ban the word "r*tard" and all variations from Twitch. This is hate speech. Recently, Twitch put a ban on words like "simp," "incel," and "virgin." Meanwhile, there are many partnered streamers, including Asmongold, one of the biggest streamers on Twitch, constantly using the R word and sees no problem with it, therefore influencing their audience of tens of thousands of Twitch users to do the same.
There are many, many, many articles on the internet explaining why and how the word is harmful, hate speech, and a slur. Most people don't even have to read them to know this. Recently a clip has surfaced of Asmongold saying he won't stop using the word unless he is banned. Ironically, he brings up a good point. Why is it that words like "incel" when used in a derogatory manner are bannable, but a word like "r*tard" which is MUCH more commonly thrown around as an insult, as well as being a more commonly known slur, is ok?
In Asmongold's words, on a Twitch live stream, "I don't think there is anything wrong with saying the word rtarded, and I think that the people that get mad about it are just ****** stupid. And I'm gonna keep saying it until they tell me I can't--If I say it they'll ban me right? Obviously, if I can't say it, I won't say it."
Your move, Twitch!

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JakeTheBoy9 commented
this well be great if the did this pls do this we need this to happen
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MorteVerde commented
Keep seeing people bring up the fact that the word has different meanings. I'm going to say again it's easy enough to tell context. Other slurs have multiple meanings and people tell them apart just fine. Yet Tyler1's jerk self drops the word like it's nothing (and yes means it in the slur way) including describing the whole country of South Korea as "being filled with (r-slurs)". But it's fine to let that slide because other meanings right?
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deleteriouseffect commented
The words ****** and Retarted actually mean something and can be used in non-offensive ways.
re·tard
verb
past tense: ********; past participle: ********
/rəˈtärd/ - To delay or hold back in terms of progress, development, or accomplishment.
"our progress was ******** by unforeseen difficulties"Incel means exact what you know it to mean and cannot be used for other purposes. Simp is a word that is used ONLY to offend and is also not used for any other purpose.
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Darkjoy13 commented
The only problem is that for me, who is French, the automod banned the word "r€t@rd" even though it is not at all an insult in French but it simply means "late/delay".
/
Le seul problème, c'est que pour moi qui suis français, l'automod banni le mot "r€t@rd" alors que ce n'est pas du tout une insulte en français mais que ça veut dire simplement "ne pas être à l'heure". -
flamingomilk commented
It is so upsetting to see so many slurs for autism on twitch, I just want to have some fun and watch twitch like everyone else but have to deal with people making fun of something I was born with and cannot change, I don't understand how Twitch can allow people to say such obvious discrimination against disabled people on streams. Not only do chat say things like this but some streamers also say words like the above and sperg for examples, it is so disappointing that this is allowed, many autistic people were bullied a lot in childhood using words like this and to hear them out of the mouth of a streamer that people look up to is so sad.
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MorteVerde commented
To all the people saying "But different languages". The word for black in Spanish is "negro" pronounced neh-grow. People have managed to tell that apart for awhile now from the, much less than tactless slur. It's incredibly easy to tell different meanings apart. If they aren't speaking any other word of French and using the word to angrily describe other players? Yea that's probably gonna be a no go. Are they speaking strictly French and/or describe something not arriving on time? Well then you're in the clear.
There are moderators who check on this stuff for a reason. Sorry for getting upset, it's just unnecessary for this word to be allowed
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Lanter25Green commented
As I can see my comment will not be a popular one. However there has to be views from as many sides as we can get into a discussion to have a reliable outcome that everyone can benefit and grow because of.
That said, first of. I do not stand for using that word in a derogatory manner at any person in any manner.
With that said, I also come from an older generation where expressions such as that existed as that. An expression, no meaning behind it. Like saying Gosh Darnnit, Holy Cow... etc.
Words are just that words, until they are given power. Either by those speaking or those listening.
Honestly I just think there are better ways to go to try and bring change to something.
With that said, that is my opinion and thoughts. To which I would like to add,
Why not just add a feature to every persons account. To where the user can set up a personal banned words list, which will perform the actions where they go whilst on the platform.
Granted this could still trigger a flag after so many notifications that would require physical interaction with to remove from the board.
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TheBitcoinBaron commented
There is a similar word "retarder" which is part of a truck (euro and american truck sim games). "Retarder" is also a device in the baking industry for a piece of equipment which slows down certain processes (a cold storage area). And "******" is also a verb, as in to slow down processes. It has plenty of other usages.
Additionally, my view is that offensive words, with more use, over time become less offensive. Using the word "******", even as a derogatory statement, if someone does something bad in a game/stream, does not mean, and never has meant that the word user believes neurodiverse people of all types are in some way inferior, stupid, or less than other members.
Rather than a ban, members upset by such a word would do better to question the user's motivations, reasonings and beliefs around the issue.
I am also a neurodiverse person on the autistic spectrum, and I do not get offended by this word.
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BearOrso commented
Autist here. I disagree completely.
I'll handle my own feelings, thanks. -
h0m3st4r commented
Autist here. I agree completely.
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SteveThePancake commented
Although the R-slur is an offensive word in English, in French however it's a normal word that is translated by "lateness" when you wanna say someone comes lately at an event.
I agree with Jesspancake15 and Lauf. Francophones might be wrongfully penalized if a legitimate word of their language is being moderated as an inappropriate term, especially when it has the same meaning in Latin from an etymologic point of view. -
citruscakes commented
give out warnings/suspensions/bans to streamers who use the r-slur
It is not okay -
SporeRose commented
Twitch has always been hypocritical when it comes to the disabled even being as far as acknowledged to exist, they always claim everybody, regardless of gender, nationality and race, is welcome and have special months dedicated to them.
Yet they have not once mentioned the disabled until they added the tags.
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jesspancake15 commented
To the person that said this would be banning the word late in many languages, I would like to point out that by saying the word is banned doesn't mean people can't say it at all. I assume OP meant banned as the same way incel and simp are banned. People still say the words all the time actually, it only becomes an issue when people use it in a derogatory way. Since the r word is also a slur, it's possible twitch could get a little more strict but either way I highly doubt anyone would get banned for saying late in French.
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Lauf__ commented
Well, it's not feasible. While I think very poorly of people using this word against neurodivergent people, in some languages the r word literally means "late" (see https://bit.ly/3lCJ6ck).
French is not the only language, "late" in latin languages is translated as some variation of the r word (it = in ritardo, fr = en ******, es = tarde, por = tarde, rom = tarziu/tardiv).
TLDR: by banning the r word, you'd ban the word "late" from major languages, so it's not something that can be done. Peace -
BasedBidoof commented
As an autistic person, I take offense to people getting offended for me. Shut up please for the love of the god that doesn't exist.
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mossraven commented
100%. twitch needs to step up and do a job actually protecting its community.
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kelpthewelp commented
Yes, I agree. That word is literally used as an insult and last I checked it was considered a slur. So why are peole allowed to say it? Let's be honest here, no one is being discriminatory when they call someone a ******* simp.
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usagiikay commented
THIS THIS THIS. Thank you for using your platform to ask for change Emee.
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earthpenguinn commented
Other slurs such as the n word and f slur are banned, why not ban the use of the r slur? Having an autistic tag and allowing constant usage of the r slur makes zero sense.