Saturday, August 16, 2008

The R-word

This week, in the USA, a movie has been released, called "Tropic Thunder", that mocks those with intellectual disabilities and uses the word "retard" in a derogatory way a number of times. I have signed an internet petition along with many others to protest against this film, and in particular the use of the R-word.

One of the mom's whose child also has Matt's syndrome wrote a moving piece on the use of the word "retard" a while before this movie was released. It is worth a read.

I have also come across this short but powerful clip that really captures the heart behind the protest of using the R-word.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gM96e0yWjhI

Credit to the Arc of Virginia and the Arc of Northern Virginia, plus Blueberry Shoes Productions.

2 comments:

HennHouse said...

Jessica's piece is amazing.

Anonymous said...

I have signed it. May it get people thinking!!