[J epworth]

It's a tough subject to broach, I feel like it's a word that has a place in English language, but only if it's used in a proper context (i.e. not to describe someone as having an intellectual disability).

Since the term mental ######ation is no longer a term that describes anything, one should be able to in the right context use the word ###### without meaning it to be someone with an actual intellectual disability.

If you look at the word ######, it really is a similar word to one that has no offensive meaning, which is tardy. To be tardy is to be late, and to ###### is to slow down or hinder.

Using the word in it's proper context is what needs to be taught, not that it is a word that should be banned. It's a perfect descriptor for explaining that you are slowing down the group, or impeding the conversation by your actions. It should not be used to call someone dumb, or without capacity of knowledge. That isn't its original meaning. I know words evolve over time, but with the term mental ######ation taken out of the English language, there is no reason to attach the word ###### with it anymore.

To tell someone they are being ######ed in a conversation, during an action etc. is a descriptive way of telling someone they are hindering the conversation or result with their specific actions at that time; not that they are mentally incapable of comprehending the conversation or completing the action. Banning the use of the word just continues to convey the fact that someone with an intellectual disability is someone that hurts society or slows down progress. Banning the word just keeps the stigma that is attached to people with intellectual disability.

EDIT: an Example for Sliver, explaining what I mean by how you can still use the word, just change how you mean it:
Instead of saying "You are being ######ed" or "You are a fricken ######, you know that right?"
You can say "You're being a ###### to this conversation" or "You are being a fricken ###### to us finishing this BBQ, you know that right?