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Movie reinforces stereotypes, uses derogatory language
Friday September 5 2008
 
The Canadian Association for Community Living (CACL) is disheartened to learn that people with intellectual disabilities are being used as fodder for comedy in the new Hollywood film, Tropic Thunder.  CACL denounces the film, its portrayal of intellectual disability based on demeaning stereotypes, and the repeated use of outdated, inappropriate language.  
“While we appreciate that the film is supposed to be a satire, we feel the portrayal of intellectual disabilities and the use of derogatory language crosses a line,” says CACL president Bendina Miller. “It exploits terminology that has a very fixed, negative, dangerous and stereotypical connotation in our culture.  It does nothing to unsettle the stereotypes, it simply reinforces them.  We find it extremely offensive on those grounds.  If we don’t question this, who will?”  
People with intellectual disabilities have long rejected outdated and inappropriate labels such as the “r” word.  The use of the word has evolved in common language to describe something or someone as bad, stupid or negative in some way.    
“This film sends a message that it is OK to make fun of people like me.  It’s time to question the common use of this kind of language,” Shane Haddad, president, People First of Canada, says. “I like to think that people don’t know the history of its use or how harmful it is to people and their families. Perhaps this is an opportunity for people to really look at how people with intellectual disabilities are being disrespected in our society. But, enough is enough. If people don’t know how bad and hurtful it is, we need to let them know.”  
There is a distinct difference between comedy which uses satire and irony to unsettle stereotypes and actually illustrates the absurdity of hate and discrimination — sometimes in a shockingly funny way — and comedy that is simply exploitative, victimizing, and at another group’s expense.  
The use of this word in a comedic film, validates and perpetuates bullying, abuse and hate towards people with intellectual disabilities. We understand very clearly how dangerous, demeaning and hurtful it is to use racist or sexist slurs. It’s time we understand this community’s history of oppression and fight back against it today.

The Canadian Association for Community Living is a Canada-wide association of family members, people with intellectual disabilities and others working to advance the human rights and inclusion of persons of all ages who have an intellectual disability.  
People First of Canada (PFC) is the national voice of people labelled with an intellectual disability. PFC is about rights — human rights, citizenship rights, accommodations rights and language rights. The right to freedom, choice and equality for all.