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.