[graciegirl]

Yesterday I received an email that is copied in part below from dear old friends who also are blessed with a daughter that has Williams Syndrome.

I just want you to know that I realize that using the word retarded is usually not meant to hurt people who have a loved one with disabilities or the persons themselves, but it frequently does. Just kinda wanted for people to think about it.

The below email is from a letter sent out from Special Olympics which are celebrating their 60th year.

"On August 13, "Tropic Thunder," a DreamWorks production starring Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr., Jack Black and several other Hollywood actors, will open in movie theaters nationwide. "Tropic Thunder" has been marketed as a satire about Hollywood actors and the movie industry in general. It is intended to be an adult comedy – with crass jokes and scenes to make moviegoers laugh. However, we here at Special Olympics are not laughing.

In "Tropic Thunder," there is a movie-within-the movie called “Simple Jack…Once upon a time there was a retard” where Ben Stiller plays a simple man with an intellectual disability. Both "Tropic Thunder" and "Simple Jack" contain extremely offensive material promoting the idea that a “retard” is funny. The R-word is repeated in offensive dialogue more than 60 times throughout the movie.

The R-word is derogatory hate speech that demeans the more than three percent of people around the world who have intellectual disabilities. Hollywood and “Tropic Thunder” use and abuse the R-word, encouraging behavior that continues to demean a portion of our population who already face many challenges"

[chelsea24]

:bigthumbsup: I'm right with you Gracie. I will ban this movie and spread the word. Thanks for the posting. chels

[Peachie]

I am with you Graciegirl and Chels, I personally have no interest in watching that movie.

[nONIE]

It truly shocks and saddens me to think that they would put out this type of movie.
This offensive dialogue is totally degrading to people with intellectual disabilities.

[redwitch]

To "retard growth" is an acceptable term. To call another human a retard is not. That a movie made today would use such term in anything but a historical sense (think Forrest Gump being called retarded because of the era in which he grew up) is inexcusable.

And people wonder why I'm so pro-politically correct speech. There is a reason that it is important to watch our words. Fortunately, many terms of our youth are no longer acceptable and even more are now downright offensive.

Thanks for the head's up!

[Boomer]

Thanks GG,

I want you to know that I have already begun to put the word out in my little circle of influence. And I will be attending an artsy-fartsy party this weekend where I will bring it up in conversation.

My daughter, Boomette the Democrat, is on it, too. She has already TiVo'd an interview and is checking reviews. She makes an even bigger study of things than I do.

I heard something about how they are trying to pass it off as a satire of Hollywood. Gimme a break.

When are we all going to step away from these infernal computers and start marching in the streets?

Boomer

[sschuler1]

We can do our marching with our fingers nowadays, and it reaches more people. And we can march for many causes at the same time. March on!!!

[ConeyIsBabe]

You have my support; I don't go to movie theatres anyway - but I won't rent the video and I won't watch the movie when it comes to TV. And, thanks for bringing this issue to my attention, I wouldn't have known about it otherwise.

[Donna]

GG..

..You have my full support!

Glad you posted this!

[bsliny]

I HATE When someone is referred to as retarded That movie will never see me

[islandgal]

Done - and I will spread the word.

Thanks, Gracie, for letting us know...

[Blondie]

Gracie,
I appreciate your bringing this to our attention. I will never understand the absence of compassion as it is the most important quality a person can possess...IMHO.
I will certainly pass on this message.
Thanx, again, Gracie

MD Blondie

http://blogs.tampabay.com/movies/200...-thunde-1.html

I do not like boycotts and/or censorship of any kind unless they are of materials which should be seen as illegal like sex films with the under aged, snuff films, art with actual animal cruelty, etc.

I will, however, research this movie Tropic Thunder though before I decide to go see it. http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/tropic_thunder/

[Mikitv]

Thanks for the post about the movie and I had already planned on not seeing it. I am not a Ben Stiller fan. I think most of his movies are just plain STUPID. I guess his movies appeal to all the young people out there that think those kind of things are funny. I will be sure and tell other people not to see it.

[kit9240]

GG - thank you for the heads up on Tropic Thunder. I will not see this movie and will tell my movie-going friends to avoid it also.