Additional discussion of ‘Tropic Thunder’ and the ‘R-word’
August 30th, 2008‘Tropic Thunder’: Hollywood still doesn’t get it — Lawrence Carter-Long in disaboom.com
Hollywood can ill afford to dismiss the views of disabled advocates and their allies now. It didn’t have to be this way, but by failing to consider the nations ‘largest minority’ Dreamworks created the controversy themselves.
Disrespecting the disabled belittles us all — Mary Yoder in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I implore you to think twice before using derogatory terms or laughing at people because they have disabilities. Consider reaching out to someone who has an intellectual disability and find the gifts she/he brings to family and community, or talk to an employer who knows firsthand that people with intellectual disabilities make great employees. I ask you to put people first, period.
Youth sports buzz: Another word to ban on your team — Jon Buzby in the Norwich, CT, Bulletin
Kids often look up to their youth sports coaches more than any other influential person in their lives, including us parents. Schools already don’t tolerate the term. If we add one more heavily-populated place that doesn’t accept it — youth sports organizations — we can really make a difference. And when you think about it, isn’t that why we all coach youth sports?
Protests miss the point of ‘Tropic Thunder’ — James Bowman in the American Spectator
The right to cause offense; Protests at new satirical film are misplaced — David Thomson in the UK Guardian
Disabilities are not a punchline — letter to tricities.com in southwest Virginia
People with intellectual disabilities deserve respect — letter to the Daily Breeze in Cumberland, RI
Reasons why the film’s use of ‘retarded’ is offensive — letter to the Bloomington, IL, Pantagraph
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November 18th, 2008 at 7:37 am
Last week my son saw a poster advertising the upcoming release of the DVD ‘Tropic Thunder’ and just said, “Oh, no!”
I agree with Terri Mauro, who wrote in her article “Satire Means Never Having to Say You’re Sorry”:
“Perhaps introducing the idea that this is hate speech will get people thinking — if not the ones in the theater or the production office, then the ones in the schools and the communities”
specialchildren.about.com/b/2008/08/13/satire-means-never-having-to-say-youre-sorry.htm
November 16th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Dear Patricia:
Last night I was watching TV and I saw an ad for Tropic Thunder- apparently it is now out on DVD. It reminded me I should let you know how things went.
In early September I asked you for permission to use your piece about Tropic Thunder and the R word with my 7th grade Language Arts class at Highland Junior High in Ogden Utah. We read the article together, then discussed the views you held. Students then wrote a response. Typical responses were along these lines: “i never thought about how I used the R word until I read this.” I also got comments such as “This piece really affected me. I won’t be using the r word carelessly any more.” One girl thought we were” making too much of all this,” but I think we changed a few minds. Hearing Margaret’s story made some kids see the human being in a person with Down’s.
Thanks again for your permission to use your work. Regards to you and Margaret.
September 3rd, 2008 at 6:46 pm
Dear Ms. Bauer:
Last week I heard of you for the first time, when I read your piece about the R word. I am a teacher in Ogden, Utah, and I read about your daughter and the casual use of that word by teenage girls and a light clicked on. I would like to ask for your permission to copy the piece and read it with my 7th grade Language Arts students. Your piece is a lovely example of how words can be used to hurt. I really want to teach that piece, but I felt it was right to ask your permission. If you like, I could have my students write comments to you– I am really hoping reading about your daughter will open some minds. What do you say?
Sincerely,
Lisa Vipperman