I hope that some of your readers will remember me as a former staff writer for the Redmond Reporter, who wrote a series of stories about the Lake Washington School District’s Transition Academy and how its students and graduates are making a positive difference in the Greater Redmond community.

This week, I was appalled to hear about former “Saturday Night Live” comedian Tracy Morgan’s hateful jokes aimed at people with developmental and physical disabilities.

Here we are, getting ready to celebrate the United States of America’s Independence Day. It is shameful that people with developmental and physical challenges continue to be ignored and dismissed as fodder for comedy routines. These are people with hopes and dreams and feelings, just like those who were once persecuted because of their race or religion. Just as racial or ethnic slurs would not be tolerated in the workplace or casual conversations, let’s stop the use of the “R” word. The next time someone jokes, “That’s so retarded,” or “What a retard,” take a stand.

It’s not funny.

Mary Stevens Decker, Reno, Nevada