clevermanka: default (gas mask)
clevermanka ([personal profile] clevermanka) wrote2011-05-30 09:17 am
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Don't say that

Most people who know me know not to use the word "retarded" as a pejorative around me. But in case you didn't know how very unacceptable it was, here's a nice little PSA:



I don't know much of anything about the Glee TV show, but I know it has a huge audience, and I'm happy to see the cast members condemning the use of "retarded" as a slur.
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[identity profile] geekmom.livejournal.com 2011-05-30 04:12 pm (UTC)(link)
It's intentional tongue-in-cheek stereotyping that they use to sneak in some amazing stuff.

[identity profile] clevermanka.livejournal.com 2011-05-30 06:28 pm (UTC)(link)
You know, I don't buy that. It'd be like putting someone on the show who slapped the side of their wrist on their chest and made the "duhhhdurrrrr" noise. Because everyone knows that's what retarded people do, right?

If one is trying to make social and cultural advancements with any marginalized group, I don't think any level of consistent stereotypical portrayal, no matter how deeply ironic, aids the cause.

Edited for bold.
Edited 2011-05-30 18:29 (UTC)

[identity profile] geekmom.livejournal.com 2011-05-30 08:52 pm (UTC)(link)
Ah, but they manage the dance a little better than that. I was worried when they included her character in the cast, but they used it as a point that what she really wanted was to just be treated like everyone else.

And then they have the out, gay, show- tune-loving, high school teen stereotype, but how many shows on prime time show this? http://www.metatube.com/en/videos/53156/Kurt-and-Blaine-Kiss-On-Glee/ They've also pointed out that gay sons need sex ed talks from their dads just as much as the straight ones do.

Not to say that they haven't had some total misses, too, (I had some issues with the Deaf choir from the first season) but I've been surprised by what they've done with the show. The premise made me think it would be awful, and I didn't start watching until I had enough friends telling me that it didn't suck.

[identity profile] clevermanka.livejournal.com 2011-05-30 09:51 pm (UTC)(link)
They've also pointed out that gay sons need sex ed talks from their dads just as much as the straight ones do.


That's pretty cool.
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