‘Full retard’ tshirts already on sale
August 8th, 2008
From Cafepress.com. Available in black, grey, red, Caribbean blue and violet. Women’s sizes small through extra extra large. Plus sizes also available.
UPDATE AS OF 9 P.M EASTERN: The shirt appears to have been taken down.
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on Friday, August 8th, 2008 at 2:30 pm and is filed under NOT2BEMISSED, business, intellectual/developmental disabilities, language, movies, public attitudes.
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March 21st, 2009 at 2:51 am
As a parent of a severely developmentally delayed child, I use “mental retardation” as a medical term. Using “retard” (adj: slow or verb: to slow) or “retardant” (i.e., fire retardant) to describe inanimate objects not all related to or compared to a disabled person is fine in my opinion. So that argument has no basis on this discussion.
This is about viewing people as people. Many have asked what developmentally delayed people want to be called. Try their names or “friend”.
This is about civil rights. How many names did African-Americans have to go through before many of us now use that term or “black” only if the descriptor is necessary. We have learned that we can avoid stereotypes and derogatory slang terms. Why is this so different? So keep asking how the disabled would like to be referred to. We’ll enlighten you.
As for this movie, I view it sort of like “Blazing Saddles” was for racism. But it should be kept in perspective. I can see wearing a t-shirt that has “Excuse me while I whip this out” on it, but not one with the n-word. That would cross the line into offensive. The counter-argument is that there is not a mentally challenged actor placing any positive spin on the script. So it is up to each person’s values to decide what is appropriate to laugh at and to take out to use as a joke.
My son has a difficult enough life that my family shares the extreme hardships of. I ask that you view him as a human being and not put him down. I will do the same for you.
February 15th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
And I’m happy to report that Tropic Thunder was a world wide hit! And Robert Downey Jr is nominated for an academy award for his amazing work in the film. The man who uttered the phrase “Never go full Retard.” I can only hope he somehow pulls off a win, which would be rare for a comedic role to be recognized by the academy. Thank you Ben Stiller for such an amazing bit of comedy! And thank you, Patricia Bauer, for helping to get the word out about the film so that those of us who are rational and have a healthy sense of humor could see beyond your victimization rhetoric and see the film for the comedy genius that it is. Too bad none of you have even seen a full 5 minutes of this movie…you might have laughed, but because of all your outrage over “Simple Jack”, you missed out on a great experience. And a little spoiler alert: “Simple Jack” comes back and bites the main character in the ass as he gets his comeuppance for his arrogance….but you will never understand nor see that because you are blinded by your victimization posturing…I really feel sorry for you.
August 24th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Hello: I fully respect Bauer’s take on this. However, as the brother of someone with mental retardation and autism, and having worked in direct care human services for adults with MR for almost 15 years, I have to say that the movie clearly is making fun of Hollywood’s nambypamby depictions of disabilities. I found Rain Man far more offensive than “never go full retard.” How many times did I have to explain that my brother couldn’t count cards, solve math problems, etc? How many times, after Rain Man, did so-called “experts” with bogus facilitated communication then try to “open up” people with autism, forcing them to be cute and cuddly like Raymond in the movie – instead of honoring and supporting and valuing people with autism (and in some cases MR) as they are (and not who we think they are “underneath their disability”). Far from just a “disability,” I see people with MR as having a refreshingly honest and down-to-earth take on life – I learned a lot from people with MR, about what’s important and not-so-important. And while I think the “retard” joke in the movie isn’t just high-minded criticism of Hollywood idealization and commodification of MR (it’s also sort of a joke about embarrassment like a fart joke), I do think we should ask ourselves how WOULD we want people with disabilities depicted. It’s like attacking Dr. Strangelove for making light of nuclear war… is satire really “making light”?
In any case, the discussion is far more valuable than the posturing about “victimization” and “free speech”. As a leftist (and not a liberal), I think “free speech” arguments are devoid of morality, common sense, and humanity – in short, when people act like monsters and defend themselves with “free speech” claims, they forget that “free speech” requires a healthy and decent society that can engage in dialogue, and not just some marketplace where “whatever sells is allowed.” So I support Bauer’s concerns, and I think some (stupid and inhumane) viewers are going to laugh at people with disabilities. But I know that I laughed at the idiocy and opportunism of Hollywood vis-a-vis disability (and for that matter, the environment, i.e., the panda; and Tibet and Darfur and other bogus “causes” Hollywood embraces for tawdry reasons).
Thanks, Stephen
August 21st, 2008 at 4:20 am
I was surprised to read the adolescent responses here that refer to ‘freedom of speech’ and other justifications for the use of hate language that is used to torment and bully children with intellectual disabilities. I believe the people who are posting about their right to be obnoxious and insensitive will probably grow up when they take on adult responsibilities and discover how important it is build healthy communities where everyone has a better chance at life.
This is an age group with a high rate of failed relationships, feelings of inadequacy, loneliness and hopelessness, risk-taking behavior, drug and alcohol abuse. When we say the opposite of love is indifference rather than hate, it is this group that reflects the emotional toll that is caused by lack of compassion and love shown to them.
If they had grown up in inclusive classrooms where each person’s worth and potential was recognized, they would not need to post messages for negative attention. Just as a two year old feel most safe establishing their independence by resisting the safest person in their environment, these kids are searching for safe places to express negative messages that prove to themselves that they are unique and powerful. It really is heartbreaking that they have no one in their lives who takes enough interest in them to pull them away from their computers and show them the attention they deserve.
Imagine what ideas they could be exploring and expressing if there was someone in their family or in their peer group they trusted enough to share their fears, hopes and dreams. It’s a true waste of potential but more distressingly, such a lonely existence. They don’t have the dignity of risk that comes only when they feel safe enough to share their own fears and pain, and the hopes and dreams they must have allowed themselves when they were younger.
It must be painful for them to know how much time and energy we invest to protect and defend our children, when they have no one they can count on.
We celebrate our children’s accomplishments and look forward to seeing where their hopes and dreams will take them. I wish we could redirect kids like the ones who posted such ridiculous messages here to resources in their own communities, or even online.
They seem so lost.
I hope they hang on until they find a helping hand to pull them out of their misery. If only they knew what possibilities life holds for them – that they deserve happiness and fulfillment and success.
The freedom to embrace speech that drives away anyone who could find the good in them is all they have right now. The people they consider friends are probably trapped in the same way.
They probably have no idea that their lives could be better than they are today. I hope someone wonderful comes into each one’s life soon and brings them peace, and joy.
Until that day, I hope we can keep in mind that they are communicating the best way they know how considering the emptiness of their lives. An offensive t-shirt might be the only way they know to fit in.
Well, there’s always hope.
Don’t let it get you down.
August 20th, 2008 at 11:49 am
You people are disgusting. Sure you are offended by it but it gives you no right to suppress the free speech of others. I love this country and people like you, who believe they take a cause and are above the constitution are part of the worst of this country. Leave it alone and keep protecting those who cannot protect themselves but do not strip others of their right to do or say what they want. Because it might hurt but these actions and demands you have hurt us all in the long run.
And remember, you people are retards so no one listens to what you have to say. Never go full retard!
August 18th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
By protesting CafePress, you are asking for offensive tshirt trouble. Cafe Press will pull offensive material, that’s no problem. The vacuum in CafePress will be filled by TShirtHell.com, or other independant TShirt print services. In looking at this blog’s posts, I am seeing offensive tshirts yet to be produced. Spina Bifida, Tay-Sachs, Tourette’s…ALL human ailments and infermities can be funny if you don’t have them. Just try and suppress the free speech of others.
August 18th, 2008 at 9:13 am
Dude, that shirt was awesome and now I cannot buy one. D:<
August 17th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
it’s just a movie you retards
August 17th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
Don’t you retards realize that you people complaining about it is the cause of this entire thing. If you would just shut your mouths maybe I (any many others) wouldn’t be using it. It’s so great to be able to piss people off by saying retarded.
GO DROOL ON THE SHORT BUS WINDOW YOU RETARDS!
August 16th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Get a life people. I’m buying a shirt and I will wear it. You people need to quit being so retarded. idiots.
August 16th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
This blog is fully retarded. I think those t-shirts are funny, and if I can’t buy one on line, I’ll simply have it printed myself. It’s a great catch phrase.
August 14th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
I just checked Cafepress.com and you can still get the t-shirt.
http://t-shirts.cafepress.com/never-go-full-retard_mens-clothing
also call Dreamworks and ask for the marketing dept. their number is:
818-695-5000
They will then direct you to a voice mail to leave a message about Tropic Thunder.
Call your local news station, too. I am not resting until these people are stopped.
Keep the faith and keep protecting our children
August 13th, 2008 at 11:27 am
That is disturbing that someone would make and or wear a shirt like that. Is this how we want our children to be? To think its ok to use these hurtful words. Instead we should be teaching our children to be understanding and accepting of everyone.
August 12th, 2008 at 11:10 am
I find that each generation finds the term used to describe something or someone wrong. Eventually we will run out of terms to use. The root of this issue does not lie with the person that has the issue but the people around them that cares for them. They are human and really do not want to accept what is going on so they use different words to fool themselves into believing it is not that bad and nothing was their fault. You need to learn to laugh at everything and not take anything so seriously. Life is not so hard, all of you just make it that way.
August 12th, 2008 at 11:02 am
For Johnny B & Glassowater-based upon your logic, I assume you use the “n” word, “kike”, “spic”, “queer” and/or any other term that is now recognized as being socially unacceptable & disrespectful to certain populations.
If you continue to use such demeaning words, then I understand your position. If you do not use such words, then why would the “r” word, which is offensive to people with intellectual disabilities, be a problem for you to discontinue using. It’s just a matter of using respectful language. It’s also not funny nor an accurate word to define a disabling condition.
August 12th, 2008 at 7:28 am
ehh.. you’re retarded if you think something’s wrong with the word retard. People with mental disabilites are retarded. That’s not negative, it’s just a fact. It means the growth of their intellectually abilities has been slowed down. Do you think that something’s wrong with that? Do you think they’re less human because of that?
August 12th, 2008 at 4:32 am
Get your “never go full stiller” shirts here: http://www.cafepress.com/fullstiller
August 11th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
the r-word???? what is wrong with you people?
the word is retard! Get over yourselves
August 9th, 2008 at 4:00 am
If you search the r-word on cafepress.com you will find LOTS of vulgar items. Use the info Nancy provided to get more of them taken down. Like Dave said, we MUST let them know that we are watching and we WILL protest!
August 8th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
Even though the tee shirt is no longer on the site, I still used the contact that Nancy gave to leave a message for the company. I want them to know that we are watching and that we will protest. I urge others to do the same.
August 8th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
This is what we feared: a new catch phrase is being coined. This is demonstrating the ugly, cynical, vulgar side of Hollywood marketing. DreamWorks deserves to take a bath on this movie.
August 8th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Here is the “contact us” e-mail for cafe press:
http://help.cafepress.com/hc/s-74058960/cmd/kbresource/kb-4205127339122936331/escalate!PAGETYPE?VisitorProfile=cafepress
August 8th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
I think I’m going to throw up. I want to say I’ll confront any person I see wearing such a thing, but obviously that would put my children in danger. I can’t believe our kids have to pay this price for their success.