Stanwood Mayor Calls for More Careful Language After 2024 Election Comments

Stanwood Mayor Sid Roberts has urged leaders to be more deliberate with their vocabulary, a request driven by his family's experience with a specific genetic condition. Roberts, who learned conversational norms in the 1950s, stated that he has removed the word "retard" from his own speech after his oldest grandson was born with Fragile-X syndrome. The change marks a shift in how the family engages with public discourse regarding intellectual disabilities.

Fragile-X syndrome is a rare mutation of the FMR1 gene, a genetic factor responsible for secreting hormones that support proper brain development. Roberts explained that his grandson carries a corrupted version of this gene through no fault of his own. The condition affects the boy's daily life capabilities; he will likely never drive or work outside the home and is expected to live with his parents for the rest of his life. Despite these challenges, Roberts described the child as bringing "great joy" and a unique perspective to the family.

The mayor's recent comments follow a specific trigger during the 2024 presidential election. Roberts recalled hearing then-candidate Donald Trump use the "R" word to describe Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who was the vice-presidential candidate in that race. For Roberts, the usage felt comparable to a racial slur because it belittled a group of people who did not choose their condition. He noted that while the term is still used casually in popular culture, it is deeply offensive to families who love someone with a cognitive disability.

Roberts drew a parallel between modern leadership and the teachings of Jesus, specifically the idea that what comes out of a person's mouth reveals what is in their heart. He argued that true leaders should use words to build people up rather than tear them down. In his view, encouragement helps smooth the difficulties of life, whereas "trash talk" creates roadblocks and leaves people feeling humiliated.

The mayor framed his call for better language as a way to respect those who cannot always articulate their own concerns. He said his grandson possesses a grace that comes from not comparing himself to others and finding joy in his daily existence. Roberts stated that on behalf of his grandson, he is asking for a more careful selection of words, particularly from those at the highest levels of leadership.

Roberts noted that the views expressed in his recent writings are his own and do not necessarily reflect the policies or positions of the Stanwood City Council. He emphasized that the family's goal is not to dictate language to everyone, but to highlight the impact of careless words on those with inherited intellectual disabilities. The mayor hopes that public figures will lead with humility and actions that align with their spoken words.

The essay reflects a personal commitment to verbal decorum that began with childhood observations of how offhand jokes and demeaning words treated non-white neighbors and those outside the expected norm. Roberts believes that good people are often treated differently when subjected to contempt, and he sees his grandson's experience as a lesson in how language shapes reality for those with cognitive differences. The family remains focused on the joy their grandson brings while advocating for a culture that uses language with greater care.