First Lady Speaks Out Against Thunder

Posted: 8/26/2008 at 08:09 PM

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My sentiments on the topic of "freedom of speech" versus cruel and demeaning portralys of people with disabilities echo that of First Lady Maria Shriver's Los Angeles Times OpEd piece in the August 22nd edition.The actions and language depicted in Hollywood require good judgment and sometimes cross the line from comedy to cruelness. However, unfortunately the minorities targeted as the brunt of a joke don't usually have a voice. People with disabilities are often glazed over in terms of support from the public, because they can not speak for themselves. When the motion picture industry is allowed to dehumanize and exploit any minority, whether it be by sex, race, sexual orientation, or disability it is more than a demeaning comment. It is the perpetuation of stereotypes and hate toward a specific class of people. The Hollywood community should listen to the voices of the public who are disgusted about the thoughtless language used in Tropic Thunder. The future depends on what we as a public tolerate in the media. As a committee member serving on Governor Schwarzenegger's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities I hope we can work together to see this type of unacceptable portrayal has no place in our society.

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