When will some people grow up? In the new film, “Tropic Thunder“, comedians can’t resist making jokes at the cost of intellectually disabled individuals.
The film features Ben Stiller’s bigoted depiction of a mentally handicapped individual for the sake of comedy. It dehumanizes people with special needs and hurts their opportunities to lead productive lives as full members of society.
It’s all the more disturbing considering the movie was produced by Steven Spielberg, a Jewish American who has worked hard to combat anti-Semitism (“Schindler’s List”), and yet now, is fanning the flames of hate.
Family members of the intellectually disabled are in an uproar over the movie, which comes out in theaters tomorrow. We’re not taking it lying down either. The Arc and 22 other disability groups are protesting the movie’s offensive imagery and vocabulary in reference to people with mental disabilities.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Those of us at The Arc of Montgomery, Berks & Bucks counties have already alerted the press about the dark side of this movie. But we still need your help! Tell everyone you know about the hateful depiction in Tropic Thunder, and write to your local film critic or general press to express your outrage.
The Arc of the United States has also gotten involved, and is calling for a National Rally for Respect, beginning tomorrow and continuing through Sunday, Aug. 17. The goal is to mobilize members and advocates, and have them protest at movie theaters showing the film. The organization issued an action kit with more recommendations on how to take action.
Stay up-to-date on the status of the Tropic Thunder controversy by checking our blog and the national Arc’s Web site. It’s time to stop taking the “R” word lightly!
