"Let's Get Retarded in Here"

[sal]

That is the Black-eyed Peas song the dems played after JFK's speech at the convention. Except for that event, and pop radio, the song is changed to "Let's Get It Started in Here." I thought it was sad and ironic that the Kerry convention signed off with a tune censored, I guess, out of a sense of political correctness. It reminded me of Ronnie Raygun's use of Sprinsteen's "Born in the USA" at his post convention speech hootenanny.

Subjectively speaking, I hear a smouldering tinge of rage and frustration when I try to interpret the meaning of the song - that it conveys a minstral show sensibility. They wrote "retarded" on purpose, and I would like to know the purpose of using such a word.

Personally, as a legal advocate for children, I find great institutional resistence to the use of the word "retarded" to describe a seriously diminished mental capacity in children. To avoid a deep recitation of my own views about this, I would rather listen to others. But I would add two thoughts. First, school districts and public programs to benefit the learning disabled benefit financially by denying services to those deemed not retarded but who have IQ's below 70. And black kids score lower in IQs because of tester bias, in my opinion, and are more often incorrectly labeled retarded when they are not.

Is retarded such a bad word?

[kerrywins]

1. "And black kids score lower in IQs"

umm....excuse me...isn't that a racist statement?

[miss_kitty]

6. no. it shows testing bias

IQ is measured by how well you do on a test, and the tests are set up with a skew toward the majority, the people who write the test. the test itself is institutionally racist. black kids are not scoring lower because they are less intelligent. they are scoring lower because the test isn't skewed toward them. that's what I've heard, anyway

[kerrywins]

11. where did you hear that black kids score lower?

I'm sure it was from a racist publication.

[miss_kitty]

16. i didn't...the original poster did

my contention is that IQ tests that show a group scoring lower, because the standardised test are poorly written. i think when the OP said "blacks score lower", s/he meant just that-not that the group (in this case African-Americans) is less intelligent, which, i agree is extremely racist and not even worthy of discussion, but merely the test scores are lower.
prevailing wisdom is that Standardised IQ tests are skewed toward white and Asian-American groups.

i put 'IQ test skew' into Yahoo and i got this from Interracial Voice:

http://www.webcom.com/intvoice/gwinkel2.html

about the myths put forth in the extremely bullshitty 'The Bell Curve' and the bullshit of IQ testing, as they are written.
also, the Essay 'Curveball' by Stephen J Gould, speaks at length the errors found in IQ testing:

http://www.dartmouth.edu/~chance/course/topics/curveball.html

so what i mean is the standardised IQ tests are not reliable as an intelligence measure for ANYONE, since they aren't reliable as intelligence indicators for EVERYONE

[kerrywins]

17. well...

I'm just saying....I htink the source that told whoever...that blacks score lower was racist...and probably incorrect infomation....

[miss_kitty]

19. um

i think the point is the tests are not fair. if you were a trig major, and i couldn't add my way out of a check register, and we were both given a trig test, in all likelyhood, you would get the higher score, because the test was skewed to someone with trig knowledge.

that is the conclusion of people against IQ testing. The data shows that black kids do worse on the standardised IQ tests. but research SHOWS that they don't do worse because they aren't as smart, it shows they do worse because the test is written by and for white people. and asians americans. the TESTS are racist. the test employs methods that white kids are more comfy with...if they come up with testing that is skewed toward black kids, they'd come out on top, and the white kids would score low.

read whats in those links-Stephen J Gould was a wonderful writer, and a scientist, and I'm sure his explanation is more clear than mine is.

[kerrywins]

20. i'm saying

what ever publication you're getting the info "The data shows that black kids do worse on the standardised IQ tests." is probably not accurate.
Where did you hear that black kids do worse on IQ tests?

[miss_kitty]

23. from the links i supplied earlier. i think you are thinking IQ tests

Are a valid measurement of one's intelligence. they are not. read the links. IQ tests are part of the endemic racist attitude that is exhibited by white America toward blacks.

"...A quick review: Standardized IQ tests are compiled from a series of more or less abstract mental and verbal exercises, which have been validated (albeit on samples) so as to attempt to relate to a whole human population as a normal distribution (aka "bell curve") of individual IQ test scores. Like the pioneering Binet, most psychometrists continued to be "white" guys. Not surprisingly, they created IQ tests normalized for "white" kids. "White" kids average 100 IQ. No surprise. The test was written so they would -- it was designed around "white" kids. There was no way of knowing how "bright" white kids were except by designing a test which showed them averaging a score of 100. The way the IQ test works, above and below average "whites" (rarer, less frequent) trail off evenly from both sides of the central mean, in a normal distribution. Graphing such a normal distribution plots a wide "bell curve," with the mean average in the center at the thickest (i.e., most frequent) part. The controversy arose when someone sketched separate, overlapping bell curves composed only of IQ scores of "black" and Asian kids. It was claimed the "blacks'" mean fell some 15 points below 100, and the Asian kids' mean lay somewhere around 103. Several far-right university professors have speculated that part of the inequality is "genetic." Of these a few published yellow journalism-like books, attempting to make money. Their gleeful conclusion -- "black" kids are born dumber somehow then "whites" and Asians. This is not science."

this is written by a guy debunking data as re black kids scores on IQ tests. He was using raw data. i can only point you to the links, and repeat IQ tests are not a valid measure of anyone's intelligence, because they are inherently flawed.
the tests are racially biased.

your statement ""The data shows that black kids do worse on the standardised IQ tests." is probably not accurate" is not accurate, because the tests are not accurate...

[kerrywins]

24. i am a black female...

i'm not saying anything about IQ tests....i don't know much about them...
i'm just saying...where did you hear that "blacks score lower than whites"?

[miss_kitty]

25. i know you are a black female. i see your picture

i am also not the OP who is, if i recall, a legal advocate for children.


from the original post
"And black kids score lower in IQs because of tester bias, in my opinion, and are more often incorrectly labeled retarded when they are not."

we have no argument. except you are not comprehending that LOWER SCORES ARE A RESULT OF RACIAL BIAS BUILT INTO TO THE TESTS...IT'S RIGGED FOR BLACK KIDS TO FAIL.

read my previous posts and click on those links.

you'll see the data...the quote i posted in the previous post of mine contained source material.

please read the stuff i have already posted and read the stuff in the links. IF YOU ARE GOING TO ASK ME TO GET YOU INFO, AT LEAST HAVE THE COURTESY TO READ IT. The answers are there

i keep answering and you keep asking i don't know how to show you differently, other than coming to your house and reading it out loud to you. that's not my job. i'm done here.


</communication>

[kerrywins]

26. so...the links you posted

prove black kids score lower on IQ tests...I'm saying...I don't htink so...

[miss_kitty]

28. well you may not 'htink'

2+2=4, but that doesn't change the FACT. since you aren't reading the links, its not really an informed opinion you offer...

[Catholic Sensation]

2. which makes more sense

Let's Get It Started, or Let's Get Retarded?

Common sense is your friend, though most DUers see it as their enemy.

[dolo amber]

5. Hi J

:hi: :)

Haven't seen you much lately...

[HEyHEY]

3. Are you a robot sent from another planet to study us?

It's just a word that has been morphed into slang

[Krupskaya]

4. I object to it as a slang word.

Not cool. I especially hate it as a synonym for "stupid" where "stupid" means silly, funky, tearing up the dance floor, drunk or full of capricious hijinks, which seems to be the context for this song.

YMMV, of course.

[SarahB]

7. It shouldn't be.

My brother is profoundly mentally retarded due to a severe seizure disorder that began when he was a year old. I think the first time I heard "retarded" used as a insult hurled at someone was when I was about 9 years old. Until then, using "that word" was never an issue, then suddenly, my reality with someone I loved was made to feel like some source of shame with others. Did I like that? No! I suppose by now I've gotten used to it though, but I don't say it myself it terms of using it as an insult.

When you get into to "labels" needing for necessary services, that's another issue all together. It seems though that's often what it takes to get needed services, no matter what the issue is. Many IQ tests are biased, but there are a variety of methods for determining this I believe as well.

[KingofRock]

14. The Song is directed to a specific audience...

Its only purpose is to be a fun song that people can enjoy. There is no slap at mentally handicapped. Human society will grind to a halt if every decision has to be seen through the lens of "not possibly offending any one person out of the billions on the planet." I want to see the person who thinks this song was made to discriminate and breed hate against them. Chill out.

[SarahB]

27. I was commenting on it on a societal level, not the specific song.

Anyone who knows me on here also knows that I tend to be pretty rational and reasonable with a sense of humor about things, but frankly, making fun of developmental disabilities to me isn't funny any more than making fun of someone who is of a specific ethinic origin. I fully admit that I don't know the song. The contex in regards to it could change my view (I like to remain open-minded instead of narrowly limiting my thoughts on anything).
However, don't tell me to chill out. I'm am chilled already. A matter of fact discussion on a subject and an honest answer has no bearing on my level of "chilledness", so don't get personal on me.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

8. Let's get it STARTED...

Jeez. Look up the lyrics.
But they do say let's get stupid and ignorant.
Duckie

[anti_shrub]

9. "Retarded" is the original version

My girlfriend has the CD, it's "Let's Get Retarded"

"Let's Get It Started" was actually originally used as a remix in ads for the NBA playoffs and ended up the defacto radio edit of the song.

[HEyHEY]

12. Actually they say "ignant"

And use it incorrectly, apparently the Black eyed Peas are among those who thing ignorant means rude.... how ignorant.
Unless they really mean to say "Let's get un-educated in here"

[Phillycat]

13. Here is a link to the Black Eyed Peas website.

Go to audio/video. It's "get retarded".

[realisticphish]

10. wyclef jean's if i was president

he changed it a LOT, except for the last time he sang the chorus, when he sang "elected on friday, assassinated on saturday, buried on sunday", like the original


:hippie: The Incorrigible Democrat

[Bunny]

15. Yes, retarded is a bad word.

First off, the very definition of mental retardation includes an IQ of 69 or below. How can someone have an IQ of less than 70 and NOT be labelled with mental retardation?

And yes, there is great institutional resistance to the use of the word "retarded". For so long, that label has had such negative connotations and stigma attached to it. It's very natural to want to distance yourself from that kind of label.

The slang use of the word retarded is disappointing to me, because it's cruel and unnecessary. The people with mental retardation are quite aware (for the most part) that being called a ree-tard is not complimentary. They also know that calling something retarded means that it's a bad, stupid, dumb thing. They know, and it hurts them. They've been called that many times in their lives.

There are other alternatives to the word retarded, if you want to signify stupidity, ignorance, and the like. Find a thesaurus.

I know these things because I've worked with people with mental retardation for 24 years. And if any of DU's "anti-PC" crowd want to cry about not being able to call someone a ree-tard, I have two words: Bite Me.

[SarahB]

29. Here, here, bunnyj!

:yourock:
And kudos to you for the good work you've been doing for 24 years! I'm impressed.

[DrWeird]

18. lyrics

'Let's Get Retarded, in here...

And the base keep runnin' runnin', and runnin', and runnin', and runnin', and runnin', and runnin', and runnin', and
runnin', and runnin', and runnin', and runnin', and runnin', and runnin', and runnin', and runnin', and...

In this context, there's no disrespect, so, when I bust my rhyme, you break your necks.
We got five minutes for us to disconnect, from all intellect collect the rhythm effect. Obstacles are inefficient, follow
your intuition, free your inner soul and break away from tradition.
Coz when we beat out, girl it's pullin without. You wouldn't believe how we wow shit out.
Burn it till it's burned out. Turn it till it's turned out. Act up from north, west, east, south.


Everybody, everybody, let's get into it.
Get stupid.
Get retarded, get retarded, get retarded.
Let's get retarded (ha), let's get retarded in here. Let's get retarded (ha), let's get retarded in here.
Let's get retarded (ha), let's get retarded in here. Let's get retarded (ha), let's get retarded in here.
Yeah.

Lose control, of body and soul.
Don't move too fast, people, just take it slow.
Don't get ahead, just jump into it.
Ya'll here a body, two peices to it.
Get stutted, get stupid.
You'll want me body people will walk you through it.
Step by step, like you're into new kid.
Inch by inch with the new solution.
Trench men hits, with no delusion.
The feeling's irresistible and that's how we movin'.


Everybody, everybody, let's get into it.
Get stupid.
Get retarded, get retarded, get retarded.
Let's get retarded (ha), let's get retarded in here. Let's get retarded (ha), let's get retarded in here.
Let's get retarded (ha), let's get retarded in here. Let's get retarded (ha), let's get retarded in here.
Yeah.

Runnin' runnin', and runnin' runnin', and runnin' runnin', and runnin runnin' and... Come on ya'll let's get...Oohhoo!
Aha, let's get oohhoo... in here (right now yeah.) Cookoo, aha, let's get, cookoo, in here... Cookoo, aha, let's get,
cookoo, in here...ow, ow, ow...
ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya...

Let's get ill, that's the deal.
At the gate, we'll bring the bud top drill. (Just)
Lose your mind this is the time,
Ya'll test this drill, Just and bang your spine. (Just)
Bob your head like epilepsy, up inside your club or in your bentley.
Get messy, loud and sick.
Ya'll mount past slow mo in another head trip. (So)
Come then now do not correct it, let's get pregnant let's get hectic.


Everybody, everybody, let's get into it.
Get stupid. (Come on)
Get retarded (come one) , get retarded (yeah), get retarded.
Let's get retarded (ha), let's get retarded in here. Let's get retarded (ha), let's get retarded in here. (R-E-T-A-R-D-E-D)
Let's get retarded (ha), let's get retarded in here. Let's get retarded (ha), let's get retarded (woah, woah, woah) in here.
Yeah.
Oohhoo! Aha, oohhoo... in here... Cookoo, aha, cookoo, in here (R-E-T-A-R-D-E-D)... Cookoo, aha, let's get, cookoo, in here...ow, ow, ow...
ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya...

Runnin' runnin', and runnin' runnin', and runnin' runnin', and runnin' runnin' (fade)"

Sounds to me like they're sing about "retarded" as much as Lennon was singing about walruses.

[Chickenhawk Down]

21. That heading would be redundant at freerepublic

"Let's Get Retarded in Here" :)

[Swamp Rat]

22. Here's a retardo:

[cleofus1]

30. hurmmmm

"Retarded" is not a medical condition. It is not a diagnosis. It is simply a discriptive term used to quantify individuals who fall into a certain criteria. This label is then used to qualify these individuals for programs that will enhance their lives. These programs are for "retarded" individuals only and so a determination is required.

or something like that...