Movie: Portrayal of Disabled Character Condemned

 
Some associations tap their forehead
at DreamWorks © Kasten/pixelio

The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) condemned all of the entities involved in creating, producing and marketing the movie “Tropic Thunder” for the use of the word “retard” and their portrayal of an intellectually disabled character in the movie.

The association helped organize a coalition of disability groups that have come together to boycott the film. Members of the coalition, including AAPD’s President and CEO, Andrew Imparato, met with DreamWorks executives last week to discuss concerns about the film.

The movie is a movie-industry spoof depicting a caricature of an intellectually disabled person - a character called “Simple Jack,” played by actor Ben Stiller’s character - which is a continuation of the horrifying portrayal of disabled characters in entertainment.

AAPD is also disgusted at the use of the word “retard” numerous times in the movie and promotional items for the film, including the promotional slogan, “Once upon the time there was a retard,” in the now-defunct Web site for the movie-within-a-movie, “Simple Jack.”

“Both the use of this word and the appalling portrayal of an intellectually disabled character in this movie are incredibly damaging to people with intellectual disabilities,” Imparato said after viewing the film Monday. “This movie perpetuates use of a hateful word the disability community is trying to eradicate from our country’s vocabulary. Although the movie is considered satire, this depiction of a person with intellectual disabilities is far from funny.”

“As a person with a disability, the movie didn’t make me feel good,” said AAPD board member and President of Self-Advocates of Indiana, Inc. Betty Williams after viewing the film Monday. “I felt really horrible hearing them say the ‘r’ word so many times, so easily.”

AAPD issued a joint statement as part of the coalition, which includes the Special Olympics, Arc of the United States and the National Council on Independent Living, criticizing the film and calling on Hollywood to remedy the harm that is being done by the film.

REHACARE.de; Source. American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD)

- More about the American Association of People with Disabilities at: www.aapd-dc.org

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