The "R" Word
The whispers were always there
Freak
Ever since they realized he was different.
Weirdo
For years, I just let it happen
Let them talk
Let them call him all those things.
Moron
Creep
I never wanted them to look at me.
I didn't want to be the labeled the weird Autistic kid's sister.
Do you think she's got something wrong with her too?
But then I heard it
My brother, talking to himself,
Saying one word,
Over and over
Retard
It's what they'd called him
Retard
It's what everyone called him
Retard
He'd been labeled it so many times
Retard
That it's what he'd started to think of himself
Retard
He's not retarded.
Retard
He's not a freak
Retard
He's my brother
Retard
And since he can't fight for himself
Retard
It's my time to stand up.