In December at the Zucker Middle School of Science, a student-led campaign was organized by general education students and facilitated by special education teacher Kyra Masuga. The campaign set to bring awareness to the student body about the hurtful use of the “R-word” and other derogatory words towards people with disabilities.
The campaign focused on how pledging respect as an important first step to creating a more accepting school community. Attendees showing support and pledging respect included Kathy Kackley on behalf of North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey, Stingrays’ Cool Ray, College of Charleston’s Clyde, and the Chick-fil-A Cow.
Zucker Middle’s Pledge Respect Rally was held as a part of the national Spread the Word to End the Word (http://www.r-word.org/) event, which takes place March 1, 2017.
You can pledge to end their use of the r-word at http://www.r-word.org/r-word-pledge.aspx