I am NOT making this post about the controversy over vaccines. However, I will say, that Michele Bachmann's statements regarding the HPV vaccine and it's link to "mental retardation" has sparked a whole lot of anger for me when it came to Facebook yesterday. I saw a whole lot of ignorant comments and the use of the "r" word. I've talked about this before (here and here) and I still can't get past the way the word is thrown around so freely. I responded back on a few comments...and made a general comment on my status, that I wished people would think about how hurtful it is to myself and my family, as well as people with disabilities and their families. I was trying to make it a point to educate people on how hurtful it is. I would like to think that my "friends" or their "friends" aren't intentionally saying these things, and are perhaps uneducated or unaware of how hurtful it is. What did I get? Some pretty unbelievable responses, that's for sure.
One of my best friends posted a quote tonight from Isadora Duncan, "What one has not experienced, one will never understand in print." This could not be any more true. It's exactly what I tried to explain to someone tonight, but I'm fairly certain that my message was missed. Until you have a child with a disability, you have NO idea how hard it is, or the emotions that come with it. I love my daughter more than life itself, and I want the best for her. I want her to be able to do anything she wants in life, and I want her to be able to live her life with out being hurt by ignorant comments from uneducated people. Kennedy has brought nothing but love and joy to our family, and she has touched the lives of many. We have challenges ahead of us, that many do not understand. One of our challenges shouldn't be dealing with closed minded people.
So I am going to ask once again, please show your support. Put an end to disability slurs. This isn't just about Kennedy. This isn't just about individuals with Down syndrome. This is about ALL individuals with ANY disability.
Please "like" the Facebook page Stop Disability Slurs! And the next time you hear the "r" word used, remind that person how hurtful it can be to others.
Showing posts with label slurs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label slurs. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
The Hardest Part...
I feel the need to continue with my earlier entry. Just in case I didn't make it clear how disgusted I am with society that there are actually people in this world who believe that it's okay to use the word retard. The more I think about the movie "The Change-Up," the more irate I get.
One of the hardest parts for me in dealing with Kennedy's diagnosis is the future. Not being able to protect her from all of the cruel people in this world. I don't want to see her to be made fun of for being "different" and I sure don't want to have to hear her being called a retard, because of her disability. I want so badly to be able to protect her from having to deal with inconsiderate and uneducated people in this world, who believe it's okay to belittle or demean individuals with disabilities. This word is used far too often in society, with out any repercussions.. I was standing in Target the other day, and a young mother exclaimed, "This cart is so retarded!" I know that she didn't mean to insult Kennedy, or any individual for that matter, but that word is hurtful!
I didn't know a lot about individuals with Down syndrome before I had Kennedy, but I can tell you one thing, I would never have referred to them as retarded or "Downsy" the way it was portrayed in the movie "The Change-Up." Anyone who knows Kennedy, or anyone else with Down syndrome, knows that there is something special about them, even at such a young age. Along with that extra chromosome comes a whole new level of sweetness, lovability, and the innate ability to see the good in all people. And what do they get in return? Degraded and belittled? It's not acceptable in today's society to use racial or religious slurs when talking about people, so why should it be okay to use them when speaking of the disabled.
What disgusts me even further is the people who condone this type of behavior. These are the people that I feel I need to protect my daughter from. And there are a lot of them out there. The people who don't see this as a big deal, are the ones who probably use the term so loosely. Guess what? I bet their children don't have Down syndrome, or another disability, because if they did, they wouldn't be speaking that way. So far, one of the hardest parts for us as parents, is knowing that we cannot protect Kennedy or other children from hearing these things. Slurs are not acceptable any time, but especially not when you're talking about a baby with a disability. Kennedy isn't old enough to take a stand for herself, and let her voice be heard, but as her mother, I can assure you that I will be the voice for my daughter and I will take a stand against disability slurs. What will you do?
Universal Studios has responded to the actions of hundreds of people's complaints and criticism about their use of the word retard, by blocking their Facebook wall for people to post on, as well as disabling their email account. Have they acknowledged their wrong doing? Of course not. At least GQ magazine made a public apology, although forced. Universal Studios has not even admitted any wrong doing. I know that the movie has been released, and it's too late for those who have already seen it, but I'm begging you - PLEASE boycott this movie. Do not put money in the pockets of those who find it perfectly acceptable to demean individuals, specifically babies with Down syndrome.
I am once again asking you to PLEASE "LIKE" the page "Stop Disability Slurs" on Facebook, and learn what you can do to do your part in ending the "r-word."
Now, as I promised earlier, more pictures of Kennedy. Does this look like a child who is suffering to you? Look at her adorable face. How can anyone tell me that it's OKAY to refer to children like her as retards. Believe it or not, there aree a lot of people out there.
One of the hardest parts for me in dealing with Kennedy's diagnosis is the future. Not being able to protect her from all of the cruel people in this world. I don't want to see her to be made fun of for being "different" and I sure don't want to have to hear her being called a retard, because of her disability. I want so badly to be able to protect her from having to deal with inconsiderate and uneducated people in this world, who believe it's okay to belittle or demean individuals with disabilities. This word is used far too often in society, with out any repercussions.. I was standing in Target the other day, and a young mother exclaimed, "This cart is so retarded!" I know that she didn't mean to insult Kennedy, or any individual for that matter, but that word is hurtful!
I didn't know a lot about individuals with Down syndrome before I had Kennedy, but I can tell you one thing, I would never have referred to them as retarded or "Downsy" the way it was portrayed in the movie "The Change-Up." Anyone who knows Kennedy, or anyone else with Down syndrome, knows that there is something special about them, even at such a young age. Along with that extra chromosome comes a whole new level of sweetness, lovability, and the innate ability to see the good in all people. And what do they get in return? Degraded and belittled? It's not acceptable in today's society to use racial or religious slurs when talking about people, so why should it be okay to use them when speaking of the disabled.
What disgusts me even further is the people who condone this type of behavior. These are the people that I feel I need to protect my daughter from. And there are a lot of them out there. The people who don't see this as a big deal, are the ones who probably use the term so loosely. Guess what? I bet their children don't have Down syndrome, or another disability, because if they did, they wouldn't be speaking that way. So far, one of the hardest parts for us as parents, is knowing that we cannot protect Kennedy or other children from hearing these things. Slurs are not acceptable any time, but especially not when you're talking about a baby with a disability. Kennedy isn't old enough to take a stand for herself, and let her voice be heard, but as her mother, I can assure you that I will be the voice for my daughter and I will take a stand against disability slurs. What will you do?
Universal Studios has responded to the actions of hundreds of people's complaints and criticism about their use of the word retard, by blocking their Facebook wall for people to post on, as well as disabling their email account. Have they acknowledged their wrong doing? Of course not. At least GQ magazine made a public apology, although forced. Universal Studios has not even admitted any wrong doing. I know that the movie has been released, and it's too late for those who have already seen it, but I'm begging you - PLEASE boycott this movie. Do not put money in the pockets of those who find it perfectly acceptable to demean individuals, specifically babies with Down syndrome.
I am once again asking you to PLEASE "LIKE" the page "Stop Disability Slurs" on Facebook, and learn what you can do to do your part in ending the "r-word."
Now, as I promised earlier, more pictures of Kennedy. Does this look like a child who is suffering to you? Look at her adorable face. How can anyone tell me that it's OKAY to refer to children like her as retards. Believe it or not, there aree a lot of people out there.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Take a Stand! Stop Disability Slurs!
I know it's been several days since I've posted, and I have lots of new pictures and updates to share, but I feel this issue deserves a post of its own. I'll be blogging later tonight with all of the new updates.
Right now, I'm asking for your help. I'm disgusted by the recent events which show discrimination towards individuals with Down syndrome, and it's time we do something about it. A few weeks ago GQ magazine released an article containing the statement, "Boston suffers from a kind of Style Down syndrome." And now, Universal Studios has released its film "The Change-Up." I have not seen the movie myself, but fellow mom blogger, Gretchen Mather, describes the scene in her blog, Julian's Journey, by saying, "Ryan Reynolds who plays a bachelor who has never settled down, visits his long-time friend Jason Bateman; he sees his twins in their high chairs and says, “Why aren’t they talking – what are they retarded?” I thought that was offensive enough but then he says, “And this one, he looks Downsy".
How is this considered appropriate? How is it okay to make jokes and laugh at individuals with disabilities? As if all the cruelty and bullying in this country isn't bad enough, media sources like GQ Magazine and Universal Studios are going to continue to mock people with Down syndrome, sending the message to society that it's okay to do this?!
So I'm asking you. For one, please do NOT go see the movie, The Change-Up. Pass the word on to your friends and family.
I'm going to follow in the footsteps of Gretchen Mather and ask that you post THIS on your Facebook.
Stop Disability Slurs! Do you have the courage? We do not put up with racial/gay/religious slurs so why does this keep happening? We MUST stop our society from thinking this is OK. The Change Up movie and the recent GQ Magazine issue are creating public slurs against people with disabilities. This campaign starts with you. Will the media have the courage to speak up and change their ways? We will see. We hope to make a change. It starts with you.
Please visit Gretchen's blog to see other ways that you can help. I also would ask that you "LIKE" the Facebook page: Stop Disability Slurs | Do You Have the Courage?
You can also visit R-word | Spread the Word to End the Word to sign your pledge not to use the r-word. It's not acceptable to use slurs or derogatory language when it comes to race or religion, why should it be acceptable when you're talking about persons with disabilities? This isn't just about Kennedy, and it isn't just about people with Down syndrome. This is any person affected by a disability.
Right now, I'm asking for your help. I'm disgusted by the recent events which show discrimination towards individuals with Down syndrome, and it's time we do something about it. A few weeks ago GQ magazine released an article containing the statement, "Boston suffers from a kind of Style Down syndrome." And now, Universal Studios has released its film "The Change-Up." I have not seen the movie myself, but fellow mom blogger, Gretchen Mather, describes the scene in her blog, Julian's Journey, by saying, "Ryan Reynolds who plays a bachelor who has never settled down, visits his long-time friend Jason Bateman; he sees his twins in their high chairs and says, “Why aren’t they talking – what are they retarded?” I thought that was offensive enough but then he says, “And this one, he looks Downsy".
How is this considered appropriate? How is it okay to make jokes and laugh at individuals with disabilities? As if all the cruelty and bullying in this country isn't bad enough, media sources like GQ Magazine and Universal Studios are going to continue to mock people with Down syndrome, sending the message to society that it's okay to do this?!
So I'm asking you. For one, please do NOT go see the movie, The Change-Up. Pass the word on to your friends and family.
I'm going to follow in the footsteps of Gretchen Mather and ask that you post THIS on your Facebook.
Stop Disability Slurs! Do you have the courage? We do not put up with racial/gay/religious slurs so why does this keep happening? We MUST stop our society from thinking this is OK. The Change Up movie and the recent GQ Magazine issue are creating public slurs against people with disabilities. This campaign starts with you. Will the media have the courage to speak up and change their ways? We will see. We hope to make a change. It starts with you.
Please visit Gretchen's blog to see other ways that you can help. I also would ask that you "LIKE" the Facebook page: Stop Disability Slurs | Do You Have the Courage?
You can also visit R-word | Spread the Word to End the Word to sign your pledge not to use the r-word. It's not acceptable to use slurs or derogatory language when it comes to race or religion, why should it be acceptable when you're talking about persons with disabilities? This isn't just about Kennedy, and it isn't just about people with Down syndrome. This is any person affected by a disability.
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