A University of Memphis organization held an event March 4 at the University Center Atrium aimed at tackling the use of the “R-word” throughout campus and educating students regarding the stigma attached to the word.
Best Buddies, a UofM inclusivity group, have been holding different events this week as part of a global event named “spread the word to end the word.” The group is taking part in the larger event to bring its impacts to the Memphis community.
“We are spreading the R-word in the hopes it will end the word; it’s derogatory,” said Payton Johnston, Best Buddies vice president. “We’re asking students to use other words, such as respect, so nothing offensive to other people.”
The campus event was held to educate students on the impacts the R-word can have on those suffering from various disabilities. Spreading the impacts of the word is one tactic taken by the Best Buddies group in an attempt to end people using the offensive term.
Best Buddies is a Memphis chapter of a national organization created to promote inclusivity for students suffering from a range of disabilities.
“Best Buddies pairs students with intellectual and developmental disabilities with students without,” said James Laughlin, the president of Best Buddies. Their goal is to help students with disabilities integrate into Tiger Life.
“We help students with Greek Life and other RSO’s,” Laughlin said. The group aims to help those with disabilities, normalize their university experience.
Best Buddies creates buddy schemes between students to help them build relationships and also helping become acclimatized to university life through the inclusion of campus groups.
“Spread the word” is a global organization backed by smaller groups such as “The Special Olympics.” Spread the word now has over 800,000 global pledges, with over 6,000 schools in more than 80 countries taking part.
The Memphis chapter of Best Buddies is hosting a variety of events every day this week. Yesterday, March 4, the group handed out buttons to increase their social media following. Tomorrow night, they are hosting a fundraiser at Moe’s Southwest Grill.
“Tomorrow, we have Moe’s fundraising night. The Moe’s by campus is giving us 60% of all funds from tomorrow,” said Hannah Russell, media coordinator for Best Buddies.
For $10, students are granted entry and a side of queso, with the funds re-injected into the organization. Best Buddies are hoping for a good turnout.
“Seeing businesses off-campus be willing to give 60% of their profits to us makes us so grateful,” Russell said.
The group is also focusing on other events in the future, such as the Best Buddies prom, giving further experiences to students with disabilities. One volunteer for the organization, Olivia Holmes, donated her time toward the event to help fellow students and spread awareness for the group.
“You really get to see the impact you make on not only the buddies but also their families,” Holmes said.
Holmes also said the group is also greatly beneficial for the families of students with disabilities
“They know their kids aren’t alone and that they’re being included,” Holmes said.
The success of the group's events this week has helped to spread awareness to students about the true impacts the R-word can have on the disabled community. Today's event saw Best Buddies gain 75 signatures from students who have now officially taken the pledge to end the use of the R-word.
