Dossier
R-word
Coverage of R-word in the Nexus archive.
- Massachusetts lawmakers pass bill to scrap 'offensive language' from state's General Laws
Massachusetts lawmakers passed a bill to remove offensive and outdated language describing people with disabilities from the state's General Laws. The legislation replaces terms like 'handicapped,' 'disabled,' and the 'r-word' with respectful alternatives such as 'person with a disability' and updates 346 sections of state law. The bill now awaits approval from Gov. Maura Healey.
- Maine Democrat Graham Platner apologizes for using 'R-word' in interview on tattoo scandal
Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner apologized for using the R-word during an interview about his Nazi-tattoo controversy. Disability advocates criticized his language as ableist, and Platner has faced multiple controversies, including offensive Reddit posts and remarks about trans athletes.