Want to connect with other special needs families? Come join the conversation at August 11, 2008
Once Upon A Time There Was A Retard….
Such is the tag line to a new, big budget, R-rated summer movie opening today. "Tropic Thunder" is a comedy produced by DreamWorks/Paramount, and directed and written by Ben Stiller, who also stars in the movie.
The plot includes a group of pampered actors, lost in the jungle while making a war movie. Tugg Speedman, Ben Stiller's character, is a fading action hero who missed his Oscar opportunity with his portrayal of Simple, a character with an intellectual disability. Speedman's portrayal of Simple is a movie within the movie, Simple Jack.
Already Tropic Thunder has presented audiences with a new go to phrase, "Never Go Full Retard."
And for much less than the cost of a session with one of my son's therapists, you can purchase a t-shirt declaring to the world that you are a Full Retard.
Charming, no?
Disability rights advocates agree that the term 'retard' is nothing short of hate speech. The word piles insult and even possible harm on a group of people who already find it hard, if not impossible, to integrate into a society that values perfection above all else.
Of course DreamWorks and Stiller are trying to deflect the idea that Tropic Thunder is anything more than a comic satire intended to put down actors, not persons with disabilities.
There will be those who will be entertained for an hour or so with Tropic Thunder. There will be those that find wearing a t-shirt shouting the words "Full Retard" hysterical. Like Stiller, they will express their disbelief at how the word retard could offend anyone.
Each person who makes the choice to go and see Tropic Thunder helps promote the idea that hurting others for the sake of a laugh is okay. I humbly submit that the world is cruel enough. The damage caused by Tropic Thunder will last much longer than the movie's 90 minute viewing time.
The use of the word retard is setting how society views those with intellectual disabilities back a generation. Recently the announcement of a new early method of pre-natal testing for fetal Down syndrome was made. This announcement was made with great fanfare and excitement. Because the earlier parents know their child may be born with an intellectual disability, the earlier and easier it becomes to terminate that pregnancy. I believe the connotations that go along with the word retard play no small part in this kind of thinking.
At the very least, 'Tropic Thunder' will make it much easier to cross the line of verbal abuse so often expressed toward individuals with intellectual disabilities
Unfortunately the only way to get this message across to Mr. Stiller and friends is to wake them up where it matters most……their egos and pocketbooks. Refusing to see this movie will address both of those issues.
I hope you will be willing to stand up for kids like my son, Parker, and for all of the others who live life with an intellectual disability.
My son spends enough time fighting for his life. He shouldn't have to fight for acceptance in this world as well.
Together we can make a difference.
To learn more and discover how you can make a difference, please visit these links:
"Tropic Thunder" Boycott Expected
What "Tropic Thunder" Thinks Is Funny
Nationwide Thunder Boycott in the Works
Advocates for disabled to boycott "Tropic Thunder"
Addresses to write to:
DreamWorks
100 Universal City Plaza, Bldg. 5121, Universal City, CA 91608
818-733-7000
Paramount/Vantage
5555 Melrose Ave., Ball/Lasky Bldgs., Los Angeles, CA 90038
323-956-2000
Ben Stiller, Writer/Director/Producer
Read Hour Films, 629 N. La Brea, Los Angeles, CA 90036
323-602-5000
Filed under Advocacy, Dealing With Public Perceptions, Tammy by
Comments on Once Upon A Time There Was A Retard…. »
Trish @ 4:34 pm
Thank you for pulling all this information together, Tammy. I have been hearing bits and pieces from different sources and this is very helpful. Just when you think we're making strides forward…
annie @ 4:43 pm
I hate that word. It makes me mad when I hear it thrown around like a joke. I hadn't heard about this movie, thanks for the heads up. I usually don't do "R" movies anyway and don't let the kids see them either. Why do they have to make fun of people to get a laugh?
I am also a little sensitive about people joking about drowning each other. Like when they say they are going to drown someone or something. It's just not funny.
Melody @ 4:56 pm
Thank you, Tammy, for the information and great links. My post is definitely up at my place.
http://slurpinglife.typepad.com/slurping_life/2008/08/once-upon-a-t-2.html
This movie could have been done w/o the denigration of people who live with disabilities. They had the option of pulling those parts before release…the disabilities community just isn't important enough to Hollywood…obviously.
Our voices have to continue to be loud and strong.
kari @ 5:17 pm
I have been thinking about what I'm going to write all day! I am going to be the change I want to see and tell them just what I think and stand up and be heard. If we all stand together we can make a huge change! I believe this! I am disgusted that anyone would find this movie funny!
Awesome Mom @ 5:41 pm
I never thought much about that word until I made friends with some "retards" in high school. I found the "retards" to be nicer people than the majority of my self centered classmates. It makes me sad that the world is so unaccepting of people with differing abilities.
Christine @ 6:16 pm
Tammy, I posted about this too, but my post is more of frustration. I've been so sad about this that I found it hard to do anything, but vent a little. Your post is beautifully written as always.
Thank you for including the contact information for Dreamworks and Ben Stiller. Too bad we don't have an email address!
I'm hoping that the boycott of the premiere tonight really makes those outside of the disability community think about how damaging the so called "comedy" of this movie can ultimately be.
jypsy @ 6:23 pm
Get your free "Words hit like a fist" cards, created by Dave Hingsburger here at Active Gray Matter
Katie @ 7:08 pm
If they wanted to make fun of actors, they should've picked a less touchy subject for their "movie within a movie." This is really a lesson on the power of words.
Melissa @ 7:39 pm
It's taken me awhile, but I finally got my post up too. Words really hit hard sometimes.
Boycott “Tropic Thunder” « Life with Jessica @ 7:39 pm
[...] is an excellent post at 5 Minutes for Special Needs about the controversy surrounding this movie as well as links to information about the boycott. [...]
Melinda @ 8:47 pm
Amazing what some folks try to pass off as humor, isn't it? I find words like "retard" (gosh, I didn't even want to type it) painful and offensive. It's remarkable how some people can be so clueless about how powerful words can be…
Cynthia @ 9:28 pm
Thanks for the great post and links to what we can do about it!
I've passed on the link to your post here to our Down syndrome support group. I really want people to realize how hurtful things can be in the "spirit of fun".
Shannon @ Gabi's World @ 10:05 pm
WTG Tammy! You said it perfectly! I hope this movie bombs real hard!
Lori @ 10:18 pm
Amen. Thanks Tammy!
Jennifer, Snapshot @ 10:37 pm
Wow–really well-written.
I didn't know anything about what this movie was about. There's been SO much media hype, but it seems like all hype–no substance. Now I know why.
Jill @ 3:04 am
I hadn't heard of the movie, but this is very sad, as much for the mentally retarded (and their loved ones who will be hurt by the message), but also for the people who may never get to know the wonder of having a relationship with one of these very sweet people.
Just remember that "Things which are despised God has chosen." (1Cor. 1:28). God's ways aren't our ways. We can't expect much of the world to understand the treasure that comes in these people that can only be displayed in "broken" vessels. We are so busy trying to hold ourselves together (big mistake) in this world that we miss that brokeness is not something to be dispised, but to be cherished. I'm afraid that this side of heaven we can't expect much more from this world. But I'd rather put my 2 cents on the things which God has chosen (the despised) any day of the week!
Kristenkj @ 5:32 am
This is very sad, indeed.
I watched "Radio" last night. Amazing. Loved the movie and it's message. Couldn't there be more films like it? Couldn't there be more people like Coach Jones out there?
Tamara @ 7:21 am
Exactly – I posted a bit about it. I really am tired of the whole idea that this is satire and we don't "get it".
I'm tired of being accused of trying to violate their free speech rights — what are they doing when they tell me I can't complain about their movie???
And all this three weeks before my son starts the dreaded middle school …
Tricia @ 9:16 am
That word is a bad word in our house. Hate is also a bad word and I am going to say it. I HATE that word and it makes me sick to hear it and even sicker when they make movies making fun.
They make fun because they think they are the normal ones but to be honest we are the normal ones. We are the ones that are teaching our children to right way, we are teaching our children to accept, love, and be compassionate toward anyone no matter how unique they are.
Hug Therapy @ 12:01 pm
[...] Once Upon A Time There Was A Retard…. [...]
Michelle and Elliot @ 4:12 pm
Amen. My post is up finally, of course, linking to yours. Well said, friend! Anxious to see the button.
Sandy @ 4:25 pm
Tammy, Thanks for this heart-felt, eloquent, powerful piece of truth. I too shared my sentiments on my blog and am trying to get some local media attention for our cause. If they're going to use our kids to make a quick buck, then I feel entitled to take the opportunity to educate everyone who will listen about this hurtful, hateful word. Thanks again!
Ms.Tee @ 7:42 pm
I have an adult sister who is mentally handicapped and we've experienced words like that more often than I care to remember. Thanks so much for sharing and writing this.
Goldie @ 8:53 am
I really like this post and am linking to it.
I thought you should know, your automatic ad generator searches for keywords in the posts to decide what ads to place up. You will be sad to see what movie is being advertised on your sidebar right now…
My Platypus Life @ 9:10 am
[...] 14, 2008 by Goldie In an article at Five Minutes for Special Needs they wrote, "Disability rights advocates agree that the term 'retard' is nothing [...]
LAIS PIMENTEL @ 10:21 am
please, please, please!
2008 and we are still watching gross things like that, coming from major film stars and hollywood s studios! what a shame!
good to know that this is becoming more and more of an exception!
Linky Love « PsychMamma @ 1:34 pm
[...] Thoughtful post about the controversy surrounding “Tropic Thunder”: 5 Minutes for Special Needs [...]
josh @ 8:41 pm
how about this i sorta get the complaints but as far as retard being a harmful word lets think. retard was at one time politically correct, now because people picked it up as almost slang it is now a hate word….this is the same ever occurring bull that goes for black people and the all so annoying midget correction… wait what did he say that's right midgets that's what they are called, but no that's offensive call the midget a little person well news flash midget means… all that's right LITTLE PERSON. we should never make fun of someone with dissibilities but hows come it bothers those who don't have them more than those who do?
josh @ 8:48 pm
ok im posting a new comment i know people are going to get mad i dont feel as if i made enough issue i feel very bad for anyone and everyone who is slow or any other disabilty i was just making note of how we get way to upset over words for any one who thought i was being a bastard im not trying to offend anyone but as far as the word retard goes it is sorta nasty i much rather say something else when im talking about some who litterly is
josh @ 8:52 pm
just forget said aything
Maybe I Should Quit CNN — Praying For Parker @ 1:37 pm
[...] CNN gave me something else to be totally blown away by. And not just the whole Tropic Thunder getting nods for the global globes either. THAT is fodder for yet a whole new series of posts [...]
Allan Hopkins @ 11:22 pm
You know I will not use the word in public. They live in a group home and I work at a concrete plant and never the twain shall meet. I do not eat at McDonalds,shop at Wal-Mart or buy my groceries from places that have baggers. They have their place and they have no right to tell me what to do. Understood Ladies?
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