JERSEY CITY AND BEYOND — The Jersey City Public Schools and Special Olympics New Jersey will host a “Project Unify – Spread the Word to End the Word” rally at St. Peter’s College on Friday, March 5 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., including more than 2,200 students and staff in the area.
The kids intend to rally that words like “retard” and “retarded” are offensive when used as an insult.
The event is part of the ongoing “Project Unify” initiative within the Jersey City Public Schools designed to promote unity among students both with and without intellectual disabilities.
Student performances during the rally will include skits, raps, songs, spoken word, and dance. All acts were created by the students in support of a caring learning environment for all students within an accepting and inclusive community. Themes will include empathy, unity and respect.
Spread the Word to End the Word is a Special Olympics supported campaign devoted to educating and raising awareness about individuals with intellectual disabilities and the offensive use of the “R-word.” Activities will commence across the country on March 3 – engaging schools, organizations and communities by raising the consciousness of society about the dehumanizing and hurtful effects of the word “retard(ed),” and encouraging everyone to stop using the word. Students and schools across the U.S. will unite in their challenge for everyone to think before they speak.
Currently Jersey City has more than 4500 students that participate in Special Olympics within their schools including Unified programs where students with and without intellectual disabilities participate in sport together.
For more information on the Spread the Word to End the Word campaign, please visit www.r-word.org. To learn more about competing, volunteering or supporting Special Olympics New Jersey, visit www.sonj.org.