Tropic Thunder Protest Update

A summary from the protest at last night's Hollywood premiere of "Tropic Thunder" (from Andrew Imparato, President & CEO of AAPD):

Last night was a beautiful expression of solidarity.  200 self advocates, parents, people in wheelchairs, folks from Special Olympics, The Arc, Down Syndrome groups, TASH, AAPD, actors with physical and intellectual disabilities, college students, all coming together to just say no to hate. Many thanks to all those people who marched on a hot street corner for four hours to send a message to Hollywood and to broader society that we have had enough with hate speech.

Photos by Blair Williamson, photographer, actor, self-advocate

 

 

Comments

[JT]

i wish i can be there ~!

[JT]

i wish i can be there ~!

[Lori Barta]

Mr. Stiller, My Kindergartner Thinks You Need A Time Out

On Wednesday, August 13, I gave my 5-year old daughter Emma a choice. She could stay at home with her father and little sisters and watch “Scooby Doo” or come with me to a protest of the movie we like to call “Tropic Blunder.”

“Tropic Thunder” is a blockbuster, star-studded movie-in-a-movie starring and written by actor Ben Stiller. Other Hollywood actors in the movie include Robert Downey, Jr., Jack Black, Tom Cruise, and Matthew McConaughey. In the movie, Ben Stiller plays Tugg Speedman, an actor who formerly made a bid for an Oscar by starring in a movie about “Simple Jack,” a man with an intellectual disability. The byline of this movie is “Once upon a time, there was a retard.” In another scene, Stiller & Downey talk about why he didn’t win the Oscar. They casually drop the “R” bomb repeatedly and conclude with Downey saying, “You Never Go Full Retard.”

Disability groups across the nation, including Special Olympics, ARC, the National Down Syndrome Congress, and the National Down Syndrome Society, called for a national boycott and urged Down Syndrome Affiliates across the nation to stage protests.

After I explained to Emma that the movie uses a mean word to describe people who are different like Hannah, her eyes welled up with tears. “Why would anybody say something mean about Hannah? That’s not nice. Why did they do that?”

In typical 5-year-old fashion, she continued to pepper me with questions throughout the day. “If we say a bad word in school, we get in trouble. Why doesn’t this mean man get in trouble? Is anybody going to see the movie? Why? Why don’t we just ask the movie theater not to play it? Will people use the bad word? Will they make Hannah cry?”

It didn’t take Emma long to make her decision. She wanted to go with me and stand up for her little sister. She picked out the wording on her signs and helped make them. She held them proudly and waved them at every passing car.

As we were leaving, she said, “Mommy. If I ever see that man, I’m going to put him in a time out.”

Mr. Stiller, I can't understand why you have so much trouble with issues of respect for others. When you stop hiding behind your excuses of “satire” and “entertainment value,” maybe my 5-year old could explain it to you. She’s not asking for much – she just doesn’t want people to hurt her little sister.

All you need to know you could learn from my kindergartner.

[Joey]

I find it repulsive that you are manipulating Mentally disabled persons into believing they are being made fun of. Anyone can who watches the movie can understand its about how Hollywood actors exploit the role of mentally retarded persons in movies to win acclaim and awards. The characters are the ones saying "retard" (There I said it, because it's the MEDICAL term) not the actors. We laugh at the ignorance of the characters, not the fact that they are saying "retard". I know I people will hate my for writing this, but you must stop convincing yourselves that everyone is out to make fun of mentally disabled people. Oh and if the only reason you want to protest this film is because it might inspire bullying, the film is rated R and is for adults who will understand right from wrong.

[rebecca]

I am deeply offended that these actors got paid to discriminate against some of the most loving people in the world, i as a support worker spend most of my time with the people being targetted in this movie and the only retards i can see are the arrogant ones that acted, produced, funded and advertised for this pathetic attempt at a joke to be released.SHAME ON HOLLYWOOD AND DREAMWORKS FOR SUPPORTING THIS CRAP

[rebecca]

Just to let you know joey, the word retard is no longer considered a medical term, so get your facts straight before you try to downplay the affect that word has.this is not 1980 and you sound like u need to educate yourself more before expressing your uneducated opinion

[jenny]

Lori,
I would assume from your not so delicate opinion that you do not suffer, or otherwise love someone who suffers from a disability, such as Downs, or other form of Mental Retardation. The word "retarded" is a hurtful word to those of us who love a special needs child or adult. It is people like you who down play the word in context referring to something silly that someone did as "that was retarded". It hurts to hear because of the pain we feel for our child or loved one. It is no less than saying the "N" word, or what if we used the word cancer as a slang. If your child was dying of cancer you would not feel so lightly about hearing it used in a derogatory way, or hear it used to denounce someone the way the word "retarded" is used in this movie.
I do have a child with special needs, who is yes medically classified as, mentally retarded. He may not ever understand what the word means or feel the pain of the word like I do. It is a HATEFUL word. It is a demeaning word. It is not a word that should be used lightly, because it is offensive. As I stated you may not have first hand knowledge of the hurt it brings, but I do. I would encourage you to think about how you would feel walking in my shoes, Seeing how the world around my son is so difficult, looking into his eyes when he can't accomplish simple tasks or do the things that other children his age can do. See how people react when they can't understand him talk, or when he doesn't behave the way a child his age should. Look through his eyes when someone snubs their shoulder to him because of his differences, and watch them walk away or stare as if he was contagious. You are only seeing the one word retarded. You aren't seeing what goes along with the word. Just for one moment go through the day with socks on your hands and try to tie your shoe, cook dinner or try to put on your clothes. Blindfold yourself and see how long it takes you to count five, ten and twenty dollar bills. Put cotton in your ears and try to call someone on the phone and listen to a conversation. Maybe you could tie your legs together and try to check the mail. Put marshmallows in your mouth and have a conversation with a friend. These are the struggles that one faces with a disability except they can't take the marshmallows out of their mouth, they can't take the gloves off their hands, and they can't stand up for them self when movies as this come out that are harmful and hurtful. It is us the ones that love them who must stand up for those who can't stand up for themselves. Have commpasion and a heart and don't support the hurt that this movie brings.

[Mitchell]

Rebecca,
I understand where you are coming from, since you yourself have a close loved one who is mentally handicapped, but a simple fact of life is that the over complication of the word "retard" is in my opinion far different than the blatant issues related to such words as what you referred to as the "N" word. Words which are created to spew hate, are far more destructive that simply overusing a medical term, and yes, it should still be treated as a medical term. It is no different than referring to someone who is overweight as fat, and in reality is is no different than joking about something as simple as infertility. The reality of those words are simply that they are true in their core meaning, whereas words such as the "N" word were created out of hate and discrimination. It's interesting to think how silly high school kids saying phrases such as "your retarded" or "thats retarded", are no different from when you finish eating a big salad and say "God I feel fat...", After all, do you stop and think about how that would make a overweight person feel?

Also, I'll be honest in saying that I watched Tropic Thunder, and in saying that I do see the points you present, in the end it is just a movie about a bunch of stupid actors unable to comprehend their lives meaninglessness, and in the end it actually makes for a very funny story line. In the end, the story is full of things that could be called hateful or demeaning. It mocks overweight people, anyone who has ever had to fight with a drug addiction, African Americans, Asians, the mentally handicapped, and yes in the end it even mocks the very actors performing the movie. The reality of life is that to make a laugh, someone has to suffer at it's expense, just as almost anything in the realm of funny does. For example, you have gas and fart, others laugh and your embarrassed, You trip and fall, others laugh and your embarrassed, you never quite master the art of reading, and when you try to read in front of a classroom of students and find yourself stumbling on words, believe it or not people will laugh, and yes you will feel embarrassed.

At the end of the day we just have to look at everything and realize that life is a balance, in which everyone around you will at some point make a folly, and you will enjoy it. I just think it is unfortunate that so few realize that as soon as the tables are turned your suddenly defensive and often aggressive, and yes, I know what your thinking of saying to me is most likely something along the lines of "You don't understand, your not mentally handicapped nor are you close to any such person", but all I can say in return is this: I understand your pain, but you have to accept it and move on, because no matter how hard you try, can you truly justify something if you will find yourself forever a hypocrite in the fact that you will probably be laugh at someones mistake within the day? Just remember that the next time you look at someone else and judge them in any way.

And to all you other protesters, "Disability groups across the nation, including Special Olympics, ARC, the National Down Syndrome Congress, and the National Down Syndrome Society, called for a national boycott and urged Down Syndrome Affiliates across the nation to stage protests." I can only hope these people plan to boycott and protest against the next movie that makes a joke about anything, even something as seemingly harmless as a fat joke.

[Mitchell]

Rofl, I did not realize that Jenny posted that. Sorry Rebecca, that was directed at Jenny! (Please think about what I just said if you are judging me in saying that I was dumb enough to not understand your site format) :)

[Bob]

Just found this site.

Interesting discussion. Good to see people still have compassion. And of course some do not.
This issue we are dealing with can be broken down to the lowest common denominatior. Respect.
Entertainers such as Stiller, Stern, Kimmel etc.. are all marketing to viewers who have little respect for themselves and therefore have little respect for others. The viewers/listeners feel better about themselves by comparing themselves to people with disabilities. Kind of sad when you think about it. What is funny or entertaining about a child struggling to breathe or a not being able to walk?

Moreover, It is the lowest form of comedy. Anyone can get at laugh at making fun of someone who has a disibility. Unless your audience is a well adjusted, self confident compassionate audience.

Also, you dont have to have a family member or close relative to be compassionate to individuals that have extreme challenges in their lives. There are many people without mentally challenged relatives who feel lucky for the life they were given and help people who are not as fortunate.

Keep in mind our lives could all change in seconds.

Lastly, regarding the fat comment. Making fun of a fat person is not the same as making fun of someone with a disability. I am fat and I'm sure I get made fun of. Sure it hurts but it does't compare. I choose to be fat. You dont choose to have a disability.

[Mitchell]

Bob,
It's nice to know you choose the way you are, but I'm not just talking about being fat. Just in case you didn't read as deep as I had hoped, being fat was just one example I chose since it was such a common source for so called humor. The point I was trying to make, is that it is simply hypocritical to criticize one thing being used in context, when your going to turn around and smile at another. Perhaps I should have just kept is simple and tried not to sound rude, but I guess I will just say it plain and simple. I think 99% of people who protest are complete hypocrites, who only really care about their own feelings.

Focusing on any single topic without paying any attention or ignoring another is disgusting in my opinion, because in the end believe it or not, you are just looking out for yourself in some way. For example, a close friend of mine and myself used to have a inside joke going about faking a seizure. We had a fun time with it for almost 2 years, and several of my other friends all came to understand it and it was one of those things that a group of friends never really forgets. Then one day my friends girlfriend has a seizure, and about two months later he freaked out and yelled at me for making the same joke we had always made. Personal experience is something that will always change us, but in the end I simply think it is hypocritical to go from someone who is part a crowd, in this case people who partake is any sort exploitation of another human for humor, to suddenly caring about something to the point of attacking those people, who in reality are no different than you.

It has nothing to do with compassion, and the reason I believe that is simply because everyone has compassion. If I see a child wandering alone in a crowd crying, I stop and help to find their parents. If I see someone fall down and drop their things, I don't think twice before helping them. Everyone has some type of compassion, so before you dare to tell me I lack compassion, maybe you need to realize your just prioritizing your compassion, something which I can completely understand, but even through that focus, you still do not have the right to call out others, because no one is perfect, not even you.

Instead stop wasting your time picketing some dumb premiere, and put some thought into donating your time to help that cause. Use your focus to help, not to stand outside some build pointing fingers and chanting slogans. "Tropic Blunder" Woopty freaking do, now just imagine how much time and money was wasted on those signs and shirts. The money could have gone to programs to help the handicapped, or even help their families who often struggle with the costs of having a handicapped child. Use your focus to do positive things! When Lorenzo was suffering and decaying, did his father stop to waste time and money to picket the doctors who wouldn't help him? No, he focussed on what mattered and figured out a way to help every person born with ALD. (PS if you don't make the connection from what I'm saying, and even think of posting something like "your way off topic" I'll just tell you right now, it's a real working example of someone who focused on making a difference, rather than taking some dumb stand against people who don't really care about your opinion.)

All I gotta say in the end is this: I think you waste your time pointing fingers and calling names, because it is the lazy way out, rather be the sheep than the Shepard, after all, why bother with effort when you can take the easy way to not have to think about what your doing. Stand united in waste, rather than strive forward to make a difference.

[jenny]

I would suggest that you educate yourself on the subject of disabilities to get a better understanding of the struggles I was refering to. Being fat and the other examples that you tried to give are comparing apples to oranges. Comparing the word retarded to the N word is not. They both are derived from hate and discounted as meaningless to those who are uneducated and ignorant. Does that mean that African American's should shut up and face facts that its just a word? No! Does it mean that we should do any less? If protesting a movie gets attention to the hurt that this brings, and it sparks topics such as this, then it wasn't a waste of time. It's never a waste of time to stand up for what you believe in. It is about respect for others, and compasion toward those with disabilities. And by the way the word "retard" which is used in this movie, IS NOT A MEDICAL TERM!

[Mitchell]

Jenny,
First of all, to claim that the word retard was derived from hate, the word retard has real meaning, something along the lines of to be slowed up or hindered. The "N" word has no meaning, outside the simple and cruel reference to another persons skin color. Outside that argument, I'm just curious why you would rather spit in the face of others, people who don't even care you exist, hoping at best to draw a minimalists response, when you could donate your time and effort towards actually making a difference. Unfortunately, I think every single one of you has been brainwashed into the usual American sense of what righteousness really is. As far as I'm concerned you are the type of person who gets hit by a drunk driver and sues them, rather than trying to spread word of your experiences to make others more aware of the issues of drunk driving. Even if the protests had been monumentally successful and completely destroyed the movies sales (which it didn't), is watching one movie burn really worth the waste? It seems to me that you're less concerned with caring for and understanding the mentally handicapped, than you are with shutting up those you don't want to hear, simply because you have hurt feelings. Honestly, as a normal unbiased person viewing this whole thing from the outside, All I learned from the protest was that a few people thought the movie was being something along the lines of insensitive and in some form or another racist towards those with disabilities. In the end the hundreds of hours of accumulated time and the probably thousands spent on shirts, signs, and gas to assemble this protest could have gone to help those who really deserve it.

Stop focusing on the pain you feel, and donate your time and effort towards helping others. Honestly, in the end of all things you probably would have felt better seeing the smiles of those you helped, feeling like you made a real difference, long before you feel any happiness from this whole business of picketing and protesting.

[jenny]

I wonder if you would say that to Dr. Martin Luther king, who protest and marched for a great cause. He did that to draw attention to the issue.The following is your statement.
" First of all, to claim that the word retard was derived from hate, the word retard has real meaning, something along the lines of to be slowed up or hindered." Your statement is comical and shows your ignorance. I hope and pray that you never have a child with a disability but if you did you may look at the word very different.

[Mitchell]

Jenny,
Wow, comparing yourself to MLK is something even I didn't think you would do, and it shows just how truly selfish you are. A few measly stupid and greedy actors make a movie, and suddenly your comparing what you did to marching on Washington with the intent to change the world? What MLK did was amazing. He changed and bettered the world for millions of African Americans, and billions of other people in the future, but if you really think your so correct, explain to me what you accomplished in that rally. Did you fight for something? Did you make a real difference? In the end your marching for the use of a word, and claiming your doing nothing less than MLK did with his life.

And before you even think to try to tell me I don't understand, you should know that I did not even here about this protest until almost a week after it happened, because I was volunteering at a camp for the mentally handicapped for 5 WEEKS of my college break, so before you ever think of calling me comical and ignorant, maybe you need to shut up and read my message. Also, just for the record I still think your moronic for wasting money, manpower, and time that could have been spent on helping families who need help because they have been unfortunate enough to have a child with a disability. Perhaps you need to step off me, and research the amount of stress both mentally and financially that comes with having the unexpected birth of disabled child into your family. I can only hope the people your gravitating to this topic understand what I'm trying to say, because you seem to have your opinion bias on your feelings, which I can honestly say I can understand with your situation.

Oh, and I just wanted to let you know, I think it is rather sad that you and yours immediately like to throw words and phrases like lacking compassion, ignorant, and comical at anyone who disagrees. It just goes to show how little of an argument you really have in the end, how your own rage seethes in you to the point of spitting poison at anyone who thinks in a different pattern than yourself. As far as I'm concerned, I have seen nothing from anyone on this site that even hints at a intelligent and complex group of people uniting to better the world for the mentally handicapped. All I see is a bunch of hotheaded and hurt individuals, banding together to pat themselves and each other on their backs until they build each other up to the point where you do something life changing like marching on a movie premiere. In the end I guess your right though. I'm to stupid, too ignorant, and by far lacking in compassion for those in need, and your loving words, obviously designed to draw me in and convince me of your arguments, have done just what you wished. You won't see me on your site anymore, you won't hear from me again, and I won't read, post, or even glance at the title of another topic here, since obviously I have nothing to offer to any of you. All I have to say, is I'm sorry. There, just like that all better right? Thats about as much as you might have gotten out of the actors in that movie too, so I hope the overwhelming and forever lasting happiness you and everyone else who cares about this topic feels is enough to sate you and your boundless rage. After all, it's much easier to be forever happy with a victory in the face of the media, rather than actually going out and helping those who need it. Now if you will excuse me, I'm going to tuck my tail between my legs and crawl to the next forum that looks like it might contain some small promise of actually banding together to make a real difference, and I can only hope they don't attack me, just because I feel that directly helping those in need is far more effective than leaving those who need help behind in some futile protest against a bunch of obscenely rich actors who don't give a rats behind about your hate the "R" word.

Oh, and feel free to comment, post whatever you like, but don't expect a response. After I read it I'm really honestly leaving for good.

Congrats on you victory in the argument! May it be as meaningless... MEANINGFUL** (my bad there on that mistype) as your obvious victory over the movie ticket sales of Tropic Blunder! =D

[bob]

the constitution gives u the right to free speech. period. not "the right to free speech as long as it's politically correct and nice"

[Katherine]

I walked out. I can't quite articulate what was so 'off' about this movie, but it was deeply lacking in basic human values.

[Bob]

Mitchell,

Your post was way too long to read the whole way through. Please try to keep it to one or two paragraphs.

Katherine,

Good to see you made the right choice.

[Jasmine]

if you gonna fight with him at least read his posts. its not like hes completely wrong cause i see the purpose of protesting but he makes a point that we need to do more than protest. protesting is good for getting attention so use that attention to push support and aid groups otherwise whats the purpose of protesting besides to just protest. i kinda laugh when i see people who do that. "why are you protest?" "to protest" we arnt a bunch of hippies fighting the man here. we have a purpose

[heidi]

i have a 10 year old son that has autism. i can not stand the word retard. to me it is as bad as nigger. these children do have feelings and it is about time people start speaking out for these children. one in every hundred and fifty children will have autism, my son has some mental retardation and the word retard should be treated like the sick word nigger.

[charlie]

you know it's interesting that just one month later, this movie is not hot topic. If we all can find a single valve in the fcc who is to blame for allowing these movies to be produced , maybe we can stop it from happening to us next month. The bottom line is, yes, it is offensive. ANd no, people won't immediately stop. But there needs to be regulations regarding the media to stop the use of the R word.

[NICOLE LEBLANC]

TO EVERYONE IN HOLLYWOOD, STOP USING OFFENSIVE LANGUAGE AND PUTTING PEOPLE WITH DISABILTIES DOWN!!! THE R-WORD EATS AT OUR CORE!!!!!! IT IS RUDE AND DISRESPECTFUL!!!!!! JUST LIKE THE N WORD IS TO BLACK PEOPLE!!!!

[Leigh]

So a "simple" character played by a character in the movie who is blasted for playing that "simple" character is wrong, but "nigger" and gay jokes are just fine. See, if people would protest all of it, then it's more equal, but that would also mean almost every humorous situation would be banned from movies as most comedy is based on the misfortune or insult of another.

See, these protests only draw more interest by the general public and make more people want to see it. When people see it and see how blown out of proportion these protests are, it paints disabled people and their "supporters" as being overly sensitive.

So protect all or nothing. It's just thin-skinned to only protest one group being joked about.