Tim Shriver: ‘An invitation to humiliation-free living’
March 31st, 2009
At the Washington Post’s “On Faith” site, Special Olympics chairman Tim Shriver kicks off “Spread the Word to End the Word.” The campaign promotes acceptance of people with intellectual disabilities and encourages people to stop using the derogatory word “retard.”
An excerpt:
… humiliation, regardless of intent, is painful. And for some reason, when this community comes knocking on the door of rights and dignity, a huge swath of the general public says “no.” Free speech is sacred! Stop the thought police!
But the movement perseveres. Our version of civil rights soldiers, young people with and without intellectual disabilities, are challenging people to change.
… It’s not an attack on free speech but an invitation to humiliation- free living. The law won’t tell you what you can and can’t say, but your neighbor can tell you what hurts. After that, it’s up to you.
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April 1st, 2009 at 12:25 am
I was disappointed with Shriver’s initial response to Obama’s comments – I felt he underreacted.
Since then he – and his sister Maria (though not klutzy Arnold) have gone a long way towards better representing the feelings of so many Special Olympians and the families.
I got my e-mail reminder to contribute to Special Olympics this week. Despite the panicky economy, the SO’s getting a walloping financial endorsement from us this year.
Keep up the good work, Timothy Shriver. Hmm, maybe he should run for Prez? I always thought Eunice would have made the best President and gender bias oblige, she was the only one who never got hustled to run for the White House.
It would be only justice if the son of this very great American made it.
March 31st, 2009 at 11:43 am
Tim Shriver continues to impress me with every word he speaks. Thank you Mr. Shriver!