Really Will? Really?

I don't much trust Bentley after his assertion that six more conservative pundits would be good for valley radio.

And after watching buffoons laugh at the most unfunny, asinine non-jokes in Step Brothers, I don't trust American audiences to have the mental know-how to delve deeper than the surface image of Downey in blackface.

You going at midnight tonight? Highly possible that I might see you there if you do....

People boycott because they refuse to support what offends them. To insinuate it's to make money for Special Olympics is disgusting. Trust me, those of us who rally around those with special needs have enough to keep us busy, we need not have a tasteless movie to boycott to keep us entertained. This movie is the perfect time to make a point. Had it not been for the outing by the AAPD I would have seen this movie. I would have seen this movie up to a certain point before I walked out, I'm sure.

I work with children with disabilities, I am completely biased when it comes to the production of such trash.

The word 'retard' is not funny, not even in parody. The people who struggle with disabilities often do not have a voice to raise in self defense. It is up to organizations such as AAPD to help get the word out at how inappropriate such language is.

Yes, I understand that this movie is supposed to be making fun of Hollywood's "ridiculous" portrails of people with disabilities. However, that shall remain to be seen. For all we know, the makers of this film are simply blowing smoke with their back-peddling.

Yes, I realize that movies such as Forest Gump romantisize mental handicaps, but I can say that I see much magic in what this group of people CAN accomplish. I'd rather movie studios romantisize than to degrade. It's closer to the truth. My group of children give me more hope for humanity and the strength of the human spirit than a thousand "normal" Olympians.

I dare anyone who thinks uttering the word "retard" is harmless to come into my classroom and explain to my children the dynamics of a cheap Hollywood parody. I dare you to try to convey to them how harmless that word is because of the way it's used in this movie. I dare you to look into their eyes, at the hurt and make it OK.
No, they won't understand the 'humor' behind making fun of Hollywood, but they certainly know what that word is.

No matter what the context, the word "retard" is unacceptable.

Now I really want to go.

This story is retarded.

At Starline last Sunday, Circa night (club dancin'), a girl was there wearing a girl-scouts outfit, cateye contacts, and had red/swastika armbands. She looked cooler than cool, all European and shizzle.

When asked, she gladly and politely explained that she was making a statement about Mormons and Nazi-ism, but really? She was trying to show that the symbols she was wearing (including an upside-down flag on her outfit) were statements against, um, statements. How we as people were and are much more important than these symbols of old.

Sure enough, a big big guy came over to her and wanted to rip the armbands off. I got what she was doing, and I'm Jewish. The swastika was SO 60-years ago, and prior to the Nazi's bastardizing the thang, it was a nice little religious symbol. This girl was clearly NOT a nazi, and clearly trying to be cute/funky.

So the guy gets stopped from assaulting the girl, while she tried to explain what the non-symbolism/symbolism thing was, and I tell the guy to lay off...explain that I'm Jewish and I don't mind it.

He objects, and later outside, goes to assault this girl's outfit again. And my thought? WHO THE HELL MADE YOU SOCIETY-POLICEMAN??

Acceptance and love. I accept what she did and was doing. And I accept that comedy movies are just that...comedic. There's no way on earth that Ben Stiller, Jack Black, or Robert Downey Jr. are against, are hurting, or don't care about socially/mentally retarded citizens. Yes, Claire, I said 'retarded.'

v.tr.
To cause to move or proceed slowly; delay or impede.
v.intr.
To be delayed.
n.
1. A slowing down or hindering of progress; a delay.

I will be glad to come into your classroom and explain how the word came to be, how it was used, and why it is no longer being used...and how we can now accept it as humorous and without symbolism, based on the context.

I hope that girl continues to wear that outfit, and gets 40 million others to wear it. Maybe then we can give that swastika no power anymore like it had just 50 years ago, when it (and people) were abused due to the symbolism...and like how certain hateful people still try and use it today.

It's the usage that matters...not the symbol or the word. I'm sure certain African Americans will agree. Bernie Mac, yes. Michael Richards, notsomuch.

RIP Bernie Mac. and George Carlin, I LOVED your bit on retarded people.

Thank you for this analysis

Stephen, you missed the point that my children will not understand the explanation BECAUSE of their limits and will only hear the hateful word. Trust me, you do not have the ability to explain it to them.

That is the point when it comes to this issue. Most of those hurt by it will not EVER be able to grasp the pseudo intelectual parody of using a word to give the people back the power. This is a much more complicated issue when you place the limits of the people into the mix.

My kids are very literal and they won't get it. It's not about a big guy trying to be a politically correct bully, it's about protecting a group of people who are HURT by such statements and do not have the power to fight back, change back, or often verbalize that pain. It's not a word that can be taken back by the people and used to their advantage, it doesn't work like that in this group.

It's like I wrote to Will, I don't expect anyone who has not been touched by disabilities to boycott the movie. However, I fully expect respect for those of us who choose to based upon personal knowledge of who we're trying to protect. My post isn't a call to arms but a point to be made. This isn't about making money, it's about protecting a group of people who need protecting.

You go right ahead and spit out that vile word, go ahead and laugh about it. But I've BTDT with my kids. I've seen them cry, look scared, be confused.... I shall continue to be on the clean up crew, and not the spew forth for my own enjoyment bandwagon.

It's a threadjack, but I had to.

Will said: "Tasteless" AND "offensive start to finish"??? Oh, I am so there.

Well, you are a Bucs fan. Ba-dum-ching.

Of course, I'm not super football fan, so it's not really fair to make the joke, but who cares right? It was tasteless and offensive.

Claire?

Who taught those kids that the word was vile and offensive? If they can learn that, they can unlearn it.

That's a fair point Stephen. The issue for me is that Tropic Thunder with its nuanced criticism* probably isn't the best way to teach someone with a mental disability about the word retard and it's usages. And I think that's what Claire is trying to say, that whatever redeeming qualities the movie may have, she can't take any of the kids she works with because this one word/scene might hurt them very deeply.

*I hope it is, because no one likes to go to a movie and be beat over the head. And it must be, if the director is explaining the film to audiences before they even see it, right?

That's where I take issue, that the film is either so subtle that the writer/director is having to go on the defensive or that so many audiences are utterly missing the point and are just too stupid to grasp the criticism. There's a failure at some point.

Stephen, this will be my last post towards you on this matter. I will not allow my passion about this issue become fodder for childish calls of free speach comedy. The most PC of attitudes, now, is to pretend to be un PC.

Your ignorence is showing. This is not a black and white issue for those most affected.

I am sorry you don't get it, because it is people who don't get it that keep such vile words and attitudes alive. Those who do get and use it anyway could be ignored if it weren't for those who are simply ignorent.
It IS a vile and offensive word. When used towards people with disabilities, it is used in a vile and offensive way. Even between "normal" people it is used as an insult. Emotional learning always happens before logic, especially in this case. Just as with any derogitory term, a child is taught to not accept it. How do you teach a person to figure out if the person saying this word to them is being complimentary or being mean? You don't, you can't. In this case, it is best to let individuals know that this word is unacceptable and to be talked to in that way is unacceptable. It is our DUTY to give them what tools we can to protect themselves. Recognizing a cruel term is one of those tools. To try to turn this word into the new century's "N" word or upside down symbol of hate is ludicrous at best. There is no way to do so without cutting out the mean factor. Trying to cut out the cruel factor is not going to happen. All one needs to do is look at other names in history to realize that even when the power over that word is taken back, it can still be used to cut down. In this very unique case one can not teach ( most times) to understand the CONTEXT. Look up anything you want on most learning and mental disabilities and what stands out the most is the difficulty in understanding context.

There is not one person who truly thinks 'retard' is a positive word. Certainly not a person who has had the opportunity to be part of the life of another an individual with disabilities. What you proclaim is to force upon a people a word that offends them. Yes Force.

This isn't even about being PC, it's about being a thinking, caring human being.

Thank You, Adam. A very nice simple point to the heart of the matter.

Sorry, Claire. While I agree with you that to use the term in a derogatory fashion is hurtful, I have no problem saying George W. Bush is retarded. I mean that to be hurtful to Dubya.

Your kids are not retarded. They're diseased, have Down's Syndrome, have some sort of processing malfunction, or something along those lines.

They aren't stupid, slow or to be laughed at. Jack Black, Ben Stiller, etc, can be laughed at...and using the retard word in that context is not only potentially funny (I haven't seen the film), but is a good teaching point were any of your students to see the film. However, if the level of intellect is too low for any of your students, I doubt they'd see the film or be alertly reactive to the context.

Sorry if I'm being retarded about this, and maybe my comparisons to the swastika and 'N' word don't fit, but nobody is calling your kids 'retards.' However, through absolute comedic license, I might use the word with my friends who I KNOW understand and comprehend the meaning and will positively take no ill affect from it. In that case, the word 'retard' does take on the same affectation as 'nigger' or 'niggah' in proper context and with accepted usage.

I think the filmmaker likely has made all attempts to encorporate proper usage, and the context is understood. Same as with "Kings of Comedy," where the word 'nigga' is properly used by those society has deemed proper to use the word, is used for comedic/satirical context only, and should any of your students see the "Kings of Comedy," they may rightly ask "Mom, why are they saying that word when I cannot?"

And that's when we as parent and you en loco parentis take the opportunity to ensure your students comprehend the difference to the best of their ability, so they aren't caught in a societal situation where they use the word out of context. Like when I taught special needs kids and little Joel had to be taught not to lick people and say "I want to hump you."

Still, it's not my place in society to tell either film directors nor Cedric the Entertainer what he can and cannot say IF IT WORKS. George Carlin proved this. I accept the proof, and accept that you are a great teacher and can handle this situation.

They get to use the word. You get to do your best with your kids to prevent and protect those who have hurt feelings due to a chance encounter with improper use of the word.

Adam, I doubt many of these children should be allowed to see this film anyway...just trying to comprehend Robert Downey Jr in blackface is going to be tough enough for many children, special needs or no...

Amen Stephen. I agree wholeheartedly. I have not seen the movie but can't wait to get a chance to do so. From what I have heard on NPR the "retard" comments are not even directed at someone who IS retarded but someone who is behaving as though he were retarded.

And please, when did "retarded" become a bad word? I'm all about being respectful of others and not wanting to hurt their feelings. However, if a legitimately "slow" someone is upset about being labeled "retarded" they are not upset at the label, they are upset with BEING retarded. In other words, if a person is called retarded and is not actually "mentally disabled" then they would understand that the statement is related to the nature of their current behavior rather than the nature of their brain patterns. Unfortunately, instead of taking ownership of and accepting their situation, parents and guardians of these individuals blame others for calling "mentally disabled" people what they are, retarded. It is not a hateful word, it is a descriptive word. However, the term "retarded" does not invoke the same feelings of victimship and entitlement that "mentally disabled" invokes. People who are "mentally disabled" are entitled to medical benefits, special consideration, social security; people who are retarded are entitled to pity. If "mentally disabled" children find the word "retarded" to be hurtful it is because their guardians and teachers have taught them that the word is hurtful, have given the word power, and most importantly that there is something shameful with their mental abilities.

I don't make the rules, I just live with them. So should people who are retarded.