It's NOT just a word!

Ok, I have found myself sickened by this whole Tropic Thunder movie, and it just continues to get worse. I hope that you read my previous post regarding the movie.

Last Friday, representatives from different disability organizations including the National Down Syndrome Congress, were allowed to an advanced screening of the movie. The report? It's worse than they even anticipated. David Tolleson of the NDSC felt as if he had been assaulted after viewing the film.

The excuse from Hollywood is that the movie is satire. It's about the lengths that shallow actors will go to in order to have a great movie. Oh, really? How ironic, Mr. Stiller. The length that YOU sir have gone to is exactly that. You have chosen to target the audience that -until now- has not fought back.

This film will be, undoubtedly, be seen by millions of people. Millions of people will find it hilarious to call someone who is, by medical definition, retarded: dumb, stupid, idiot, imbecile, and the dumbest mother f**ker that ever lived. There is a scene with Matthew McConaughey that is incredible disturbing. Ben Stiller speaks of wanting to adopt a child and then MMc says, "At least you still have a choice, I have to live with mine" while glancing at a picture of his son who appears to have an intellectual disability.

And, the catch phrase of the movie: Never Go Full Retard. Thank you Ben Stiller. Thank you for writing a phrase that will be repeated in schools all over- among other places. Thank you for encouraging HATEFUL words. The phrase had already found its way onto a T-shirt through CafePress. I, immediately, wrote to CafePress to have the shirt removed and I passed the info along (the shirt is now removed! YAY!) I love to be able to send my beautiful son to school, wondering if some other child, parent, or teacher will utter those words at my son. My son is too young NOW, to understand the pain that this will one day cause him.

"Mommy, why do the kids call me a retard? Why do the other kids always pick on me and call me retarded?" I cry now thinking of it.

RETARDED IS NOT JUST A WORD! IT IS A HATEFUL, HURTFUL, AWFUL WORD USED OUTSIDE OF IT'S DEFINITION IN THIS DAY AND AGE TO DEFINE, STUPID, DUMB, IDIOT...That is NOT my son! My Ethan is FAR from stupid. He is one of the smartest kids I know. And, any of you who know Ethan, know that he is very smart as well.

I ask you, for Ethan, to NOT see this movie. Please do not reward such a film with your money. Send your movie ticket money to something worth while, like the NDSC or the Special Olympics.

Read Chewing the Fat. I sat at the computer and cried when I read this post. I am not exaggerating here. I cried. My heart broke for the young mom. Read it. Dave is great with words.

And, for those of you that are saying that I am being too sensitive...Do YOU have a child with a disability? Do YOU have to think ahead on how to protect your child? Would YOU just sit back if you found out that YOUR child was being picked on? Do YOU find it acceptable to pick on those who can't fight back? Think about it. So, until you are in my shoes, do NOT tell me that I am being too sensitive. This is personal. I am a Mama Bear- I WILL protect my child. Please join me.