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] chronovore.livejournal.com 2011-05-30 02:27 pm (UTC)(link)
I always thought that Black Eyed Peas song was pretty insensitive. But... listening to the Black Eyed Peas is its own rare form of punishment in itself.

[identity profile] clevermanka.livejournal.com 2011-05-30 02:31 pm (UTC)(link)
I was at someone's house when it came on her iPod random play. I was working on a project with glue and paint where I couldn't just up and leave. It made me really uncomfortable.

In hindsight, I should have asked if she would fast-forward through it.

I love pop music, but I've yet to hear a Black Eyed Peas song that I like. They're not my bag.

[identity profile] miischelle.livejournal.com 2011-05-30 02:36 pm (UTC)(link)
As much as I refuse to watch that show, the messages they put out continue to surprise and amaze me.

[identity profile] e4q.livejournal.com 2011-05-30 02:38 pm (UTC)(link)
it was actually a pretty major theme in the show, as it happens. and it was dealt with interestingly, too.

[identity profile] clevermanka.livejournal.com 2011-05-30 02:40 pm (UTC)(link)
Cool!

[identity profile] clevermanka.livejournal.com 2011-05-30 02:42 pm (UTC)(link)
The clips I've seen seem to point toward some rather horrific stereotyping, so I was surprised to see the PSA done so well.

[identity profile] e4q.livejournal.com 2011-05-30 02:42 pm (UTC)(link)
i have to say, i didn't have high hopes going in to watching it, but ended up watching the whole thing. surprisingly good.

[identity profile] cskippy2000.livejournal.com 2011-05-30 03:02 pm (UTC)(link)
When I was doing that movie last year, I had a difficult time getting people not to call me or my character that, except where called for in the script. I don't like that word either. I really didn't know a better term, so I corrected them when they said it by saying, "Special American, please." Which honestly I don't know if that's any better. But it did make them replace the word in the script in one spot, anyway.

[identity profile] redheadfae.livejournal.com 2011-05-30 03:51 pm (UTC)(link)

Nicely done, that PSA. I think it's perfectly okay to say "oh, I'm sorry, I really dislike that song, can you skip it?"...
of course, knowing me I'd just blurt out
"Damn, I hate the fucking song!" but that's how I roll, right?

[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] geekmom.livejournal.com 2011-05-30 04:19 pm (UTC)(link)
"Cognitively disabled" is what I hear more in academic circles these days.

[identity profile] clevermanka.livejournal.com 2011-05-30 05:03 pm (UTC)(link)
I shall definitely have the fortitude to say something next time.

[identity profile] clevermanka.livejournal.com 2011-05-30 05:04 pm (UTC)(link)
But it did make them replace the word in the script in one spot, anyway.

Cool. Good for you!

[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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