In the photo: City Manager Brian L. Barroso, Commissioners Monica Haskell and Mary Lou Hoover, Vice Mayor Lissette Carey, Mayor Danise “Deedee” Henriquez, Commissioners Donie Lee, Aaron Castillo, and Sam Kaufman, and Ruth Coleman along with Key West’s fine Special Olympics Athletes.

Spread the Word Month for Inclusion

Mayor Danise “Deedee” Henriquez and the Key West City Commission have recognized the month of March as Spread the Word Month for Inclusion.

Founded by two youth leaders in 2009 as Spread the Word to End the Word, the campaign focused its first 10 years on addressing a particularly powerful form of exclusion: the use of a derogatory word. Over those years, leaders and self-advocates collected millions of digital and· physical pledges to end the word. Each was a personal commitment to acknowledge the hurt caused by the word and to be respectful in the words and actions taken towards people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Local Special Olympics athletes accepted the proclamation, which asks the citizens of Key West to pledge to Spread the Word. That pledge signifies a powerful stance against derogatory language targeted at individuals with intellectual disabilities.

“Together we can create a society where everyone is valued, celebrated, and free from the impact of harmful stereotypes,” reads the proclamation.

Special Olympics of Monroe County’s Sports and Training Coordinator Ruth Coleman accepted the proclamation. She noted that the derogatory word that initially started this campaign is rearing its ugly head.

“This is a call for unity,” she said, “not just for our friends, but for all of us, to promote inclusion in our city and in our lives.”

Outside of the Commission Chambers, people were adding their name to a banner, pledging to take a stance for inclusion. Another banner was to be displayed at Key West High School for students to join in promoting inclusion.

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