A Flash player error has occured, please make sure you have the latest Adobe Flash Player. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

Tools

How Do You Feel About the 'R-Word'?

Bryan Monaghan

Story Created: Aug 13, 2008 at 9:29 PM EST

Story Updated: Aug 13, 2008 at 10:58 PM EST

National advocacy groups, including the Special Olympics, are calling for the protest and boycott of the feature film 'Tropic Thunder', which opened Wednesday. They say the movie is offensive to many groups, including people with intellectual disabilities, and their supporters.

ABC 6 News Reporter Robert Goulston has the story.

Monday, Aug 18 at 4:15 PM michelle /warwick wrote ...

well i watch the movie 21 and the same r-word is in that too

Thursday, Aug 14 at 10:07 PM Christina wrote ...

I do not allow that word in my house. I have cousins who were born with mental disabilites. They are human beings with feelings just like you and me. Anybody who does not understand this is just plain ignorant. Let's show some respect to all the human race and think how you would feel if you were in the other shoes.

Thursday, Aug 14 at 4:00 PM Pamela wrote ...

The term "retarded" should never be used to describe a person. I have spent the past four years watching my grandson struggle with severe Cerebral Palsy. It is a serious disability of the human brain which affects the body in enormous ways. I wish everyone could meet this beautiful boy and learn from him how precious and valuable life is as well as the abilities we take for granted each day. We should never harm another human being with degrading negativity, whether in anger or in poking fun.

Thursday, Aug 14 at 3:46 PM Gansett Lady wrote ...

The video shown here is more elaborate than the one shown on TV. I can understand the offensiveness of the word, but this is being used a movie. If you don't like it, turn it off, or turn away. Other words just as offensive are commonly used in movies and TV shows, yet there is no up roar about that. I don't feel the need to boycott this movie. It's just bad humor. Walk away. Also let's point out that there a verb use for the word that doesn't necessarily point to the intellectually challeneged

Thursday, Aug 14 at 3:43 PM Barbara wrote ...

What I find even more offensive, is the new nickname 'SPED'. I have heard nine year olds use it criticize each other; siblings blast each other as well because they have learned it in school. I find it much more offensive because it is a misuse of an acronym that was created to replace the original 'r' word.

Thursday, Aug 14 at 2:39 PM Christina wrote ...

I am a special education teacher and I absolutely hate the word! I constantly yell at people when they use it, and half of the time they don't even realize because they use it so much. It is just like using the "N" word. When you become a parent to a special needs child you will realize where people come from, and why they take offense.

Thursday, Aug 14 at 11:40 AM Glynnis wrote ...

I know, but kids who used it in the past were- for lack of a better, word, stupid. And poking fun of others always comes back to haunt YOU, whether it was at the moment or even many years later. Never spit up in the air cos' it comes back down on your face.

Thursday, Aug 14 at 7:37 AM Anonymous wrote ...

These people need to lighten up , it's just a word {which was commonly used in the past} and its a comedy film, boycott the horror movies giving demented people ideas. Too much PC these days. The R-word??? you can't even post the word...lame.

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 500 Characters Left

Please post your full name and city on comments.

Comments are moderated and will not appear on this story until after they have been reviewed and deemed appropriate for posting.

ABC 6 and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

Online Poll

Do You Think the Rhode Island General Assembly Will Fix the Budget Deficit?

  • HA! No, they're going to chase their tails and point fingers and get nothing done. Business as usual.
  • I think some progress can be made. It's going to take some painful cuts and creativity, but we can do this.

AP Video