When I read that Graham Platner had used the word “retarded” in old Reddit posts, it reminded me why disability history needs to be taught in schools. As someone with a disability, who was called that word growing up, I know how deeply it hurts. Children repeat words they don’t understand — but education can change that.

If students learned about the disability rights movement, the power of language and why certain words wound entire communities, we’d raise a generation that leads with empathy instead of ignorance.

I don’t want to “cancel” Graham Platner, but I do want accountability. I call it “Take 1 and Give 3” — for every time he used that word, he should hire three people with disabilities on his campaign. That includes people with intellectual disabilities who are too often overlooked. Real progress comes from action, not apology.

Brendan Williams
Saco