A video that was created by University of St. Thomas students as part of their “Spread the Word to End the Word” campaign now can be seen on youTube.
The video, which can be seen here, was shown for the first time at an event held May 4 in Murray-Herrick Campus Center. The goal of the campaign is to end the use of the “r-word” (retard or retarded).
Among those in the video are St. Thomas students Kari Jo Johnson, a senior from Aitkin, and John Busch, a senior from Cottage Grove. They are featured with their brothers who have Down syndrome, Zach Johnson and Joey Busch.
As part of the “Spread the Word to End the Word” campaign, volunteers last week collected 1,248 signatures from St. Thomas students, staff and faculty who pledged to not use the r-word.
More information about the effort can be found on campaign’s Facebook page, this TommieMedia story and in this Bulletin Today story.
“The video is meant to act as a visual representation of the way the r-word really affects us all,” explained Kari Jo Johnson. “By watching it, hopefully is plants that seed that pops up when you use or hear the r-word.
By remembering what this campaign is all about, it’s a reminder of where the power comes from and how we are the ones who can change our vocabulary and make a difference.”
