Access Atlanta > Movies > Blog > Archives > 2008 > August > 13 > Entry
Locals protest R-word in ‘Tropic Thunder’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Betty Hasan-Amin arrived first at the Landmark Midtown Art Cinema on a MARTA mobility bus for the disabled that she had reserved 24 hours in advance and ridden from her Stone Mountain home.
Confined to a wheelchair, Hasan-Amin, 42, who’s been disabled since a spinal chord injury when she was 17, immediately began speaking out against language used in the new Ben Stiller war comedy “Tropic Thunder.” The film contains frequent use of the word “retard” to describe Stiller’s character who made a movie called “Simple Jack.”
“It creates barriers,” Hasan-Amin says of the use of what she and others refer to as the R-word. “I, too, have been affected by negative language not only because of disability but because of color.”
Hasan-Amin was one of at least four protestors who showed up Wednesday afternoon at the first of at least nine protests over the film planned in Georgia. Other metro Atlanta protests were set at the Perimiter Pointe in Dunwoody, the North Point Market in Alpharetta and the Southlake Pavilion in Morrow.
Advocates for the disabled from The Arc of Georgia, disABILITY Link and the Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities were involved.
“I won’t go see the movie. I am totally boycotting,” Kate Gainer, 59, who organized the protest at Midtown and has cerebral palsy, said by phone. “When you use the word ‘retard,’ that is hate language.”
In an e-mail, Arc of Georgia executive director Deidre K. O’Brien said, “I have too often seen the hurt look on the face of someone with disabilities when they are rejected only because of their disability.”
She called the movie a “blockbuster cheap thrill at the expense of human beings who are the most isolated, marginalized, victimized and least able to defend themselves. … Let’s change things and have ‘R’ stand for respect.”
In an interview with Moviemaker Magazine, Stiller said, “The idea was to make fun of actors who go off to make war movies and think they’ve had some kind of real experience based on that.”
Late Wednesday afternoon, DreamWorks Studios issued a statement through spokesperson Chip Sullivan.
It reads in full, “‘Tropic Thunder’ is an R-rated comedy that satirizes Hollywood and its excesses, and makes its point by featuring inappropriate and over-the-top characters in ridiculous situations. The film is in no way meant to disparage or harm the image of individuals with disabilities.
“We have had productive discussions with representatives of disability advocacy organizations and look forward to working with them closely in the future. However, no changes or cuts to the film will be made.”
Permalink | Comments (29) | Post your comment | Categories: Bob Longino
Comments
By Mark Johnson
August 14, 2008 8:49 AM | Link to this
Thanks for covering the Tropic Thunder protest. I’d advise anybody interested in this issue to read tthis article about people first language, disabilityisnatural.com
Mark
By Jennifer Carroll
August 14, 2008 8:50 AM | Link to this
Bob,Thank you very much for your coverage of the Tropic Thunder protest. Here is an update on the other locations: at Regal N’point Pkwy. we had twenty protestors, at the Mt. Vernon location the theatre would not let the protestors stay. They are planning to get a permit and go back on Fri. I also wanted to let you know that the Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta was instrumental in collaborating with The ARC, the Shepherd Center, and GCDD; In fact; we organized the conference call that initiated the formation of the Disability Coalition of Georgia similar to the national coalition that was created. It’s too bad that Stiller didn’t go out of his way to make sure that no persons with intellectual disabilities would be offended by this movie. It is perpetuating the stereotypes and the use of an offensive word our groups have fought against for years. Already merchandise has been created using the phrase “Full Retard” and the movie makes it cool and acceptable to use this kind of language. Stiller shied away from using the “N-word” because it is unacceptable to use in today’s society. What do we have to do to make the R-word unnacceptable? It is very hurtful and harmful and I am afraid this movie will incite proliferated use of the word and cause even more violence to be used upon individuals with Intellectual disabilites; a group that is already at higher risk than the general population. Enough is enough. Please help spread the word to eliminate the R-word! Thank you, Jennifer Carroll Advocacy Director DSAA
By Alan
August 14, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this
Its about time someone stood up for people with disabilities!
It’s really disturbing too me the number of African Americans here at work that still use the “R” word…. you think they would understand and be compassionate about being labeled…
By JR
August 14, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this
Oh, yes, the most important issue facing disabled people these days is the word “retard”. If you can just get ignorant people like me to stop using it, all their problems will be over.
That was sarcasm, for those of you who missed it. I will never understand people who spend all their time focusing on feel-good measures like political correctness and trying to censor speech as if this will change or improve anyone’s lives. If you care so much about mentally disabled people, volunteer your time or money and stop protesting silly movies.
By spence
August 14, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this
Wow! Four protesters! And they have eight more protests scheduled? Let’s see … hummm - that’s 36 people!! Can the city hold them all?
When will the media - and the public - learn to ignore such small-scale “demonstrations” and quit giving them print and air time? It just eggs them on. Did I say eggs - hey, there’s an idea!
By CyclopsDressedAsAGrandma
August 14, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this
So I guess the only people that you can make fun of or offend these days is the evil white man…..get a life. Maybe focus your efforts on trying to find a cure for Down Syndrome than spending time on this crap.
By jungleland
August 14, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this
This is a crude movie. We know this. If you like this kinda thing then go. If you don’t like this kinda thing stay home. When this ends up on TBS they will edit it anyway.
By Steve Eidelman
August 14, 2008 11:32 AM | Link to this
When will this hateful speech stop? People with intellectual disabilities face, and overcome many obstacles. Why should they have raw bigotry and hatred promulgated by hollywood stars?
I suggest people boycott all future Ben Stiller movies, not only this one.
By Erik
August 14, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this
What a joke. I have one cousin who is severely challenged mentally and I have another who has CP. And I think this protesting is ridiculous. It’s a MOVIE people. This is America and people have the right to make any movie they want. Just like all of you protesters have the right to never watch it or give it your money.
Some people just aren’t happy unless they are protesting something. Instead of standing in front of a theater complaining about a WORD that’s being used in a movie, why don’t you instead get in your car and drive to the post office where you can mail a check to some type of charity?
Sticks and stones people, sticks and stones…
By John
August 14, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this
I can’t wait to see the movie. A total of 4 protestors showed up, big freaking deal. Get a life people and worry about more important things like people going homeless and drugs and killing. Don’t have a cow over one freaking word. You are the sad ones…..
By My Goodness
August 14, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this
Ben Stiller has made fun of everyone. This movie is going to be hilarious. I can’t wait to see it. As for Robert Downey being in black face… Well no one complaind when Dave Chapelle did it on his show. It’s all done in humor.
With all the stupid stuff going on in the world sometimes we need to laugh at ourselves!
By Lanky Scandalous
August 14, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this
Man, the retards are really bent out of shape over this.
By Kevin
August 14, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this
Ahh, the pussification of America continues. Apparently all comedy writers in the world must now bend over to every one in the world who is offended by something. PC will be death of our country.
By rickeyretard
August 14, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this
get a life people…how many movies or comedians make fun of white people or rednecks. the last time i checked there were no redneck protests over the blue collar tour. its a joke who cares…move on. maybe a good laugh is what the world needs even at someone elses expense. everyone laughs and makes fun of others at some point in life.
By TR
August 14, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this
I think that some of the comments here that miss the point. To a person with a disability or for someone who loves someone with a mental disability, the “R” word, is not just another word. It is a word that promotes hatred toward this specific group, it a word that is used to mean “stupid” or “idiot”, and it is a word that never needs to be used. If “retard” was replaced with other hate words, this movie would have been left on the cutting room floor. Only because the film chose people with intellectual abilities who can not speak out for themselves to attack was it ok. Picture your child being attacked with words or even actions simply for having the wrong hair color. How would it make you feel to constantly fight for your child’s rights just cause your child has blond hair? Now substitute blond hair with that child having a mental disability. One comment stated that people need to find other things to worry about rather than the “r” word. Let me tell you that families who have members with intellectual disabilities do have enough to worry about. Our days are packed with expectations of us. We are so “worried” about this word because this word promotes violence and hatred toward a person that we love the most.
By Ex-Northerner
August 14, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this
As far as I can tell, these protests are only ensuring that a large amount of people now know about the move and will go to see it. This is better known as free publicity. Madonna took advantage of it when Pepsi dropped her ad deal because of worry ovr her kissing Leon, a black actor dressed up as Jesus, in her “Like A Prayer” video. It became an even larger hit than they originally expected. When the Pope condemned her “Blond Ambition” tour, she sold out in Italy. Now that “Tropic Thunder” has become a household issue, it will probably reap a larger box office than if the protests had not happened.
My 2 cents, when has anyone taken Ben Stiller seriously? Did models feel a need to protest “Zoolander”? Should we have protested Dustin Hoffman and Barbra Streisand’s send up of the new age senior citizen? Did gyms around the country protest the portrayal of the work-out community in “Dodge Ball”? As Erik said, it’s a movie. And now a movie I want to see - and I have a disabled relative!
By musicatl
August 14, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this
Protesters and PC, they go hand in hand… The protesters are the ones that promote hatred… always ending up where they are not really welcome, I have a sister that has DS… and guess what I call her retarted, because guess what she is, and thats what I grew up saying, and it wasnt a big deal, America and its PC bull, We the people who want to see the movie will, those who dont, dont, get over yourselfs and help the people that you so passionate about, I know I help every year for Special Olympics, try helping them out for a change and leave the humans that know jokes alone already…
By challenged
August 14, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this
Saw the movie last night and it is down right hillarious. Please get a life and concern yourselves with something that matters,not a movie…
By sharon
August 14, 2008 2:52 PM | Link to this
Spence and Lanky Scandalous that was funny
By sharon
August 14, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this
Spence and Lanky Scandalous that was funny
By Dark Brown
August 14, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this
I support the right of free speech. Even if the word ‘retard’ were replaced with some other offensive racial slur or WHATEVER, that shouldn’t stop the movie from being made.
Anyone offended by the use of the word ‘retard’ probably shouldn’t go see the movie.
But maybe, just maybe, that’s WAY TOO SIMPLE.
By Mike
August 14, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this
I saw the movie Wednesday and thought it was hilarious. Protesting a movie doesn’t work. For every person you scare away from it you’ll make three others curious enough to go see what the fuss is about. You must be retarded.
By this protest is special
August 14, 2008 3:15 PM | Link to this
This is a serious problem folks. What if the protests get out of hand? I’m not sure if the City of Atlanta’s paddywagons are outfitted with wheelchair lifts. I smell an ADA lawsuit in the making…
By modestdavis
August 14, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this
R….idiculous.
By havemysay
August 14, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this
After reading some of these posts I can only pray that some of you are either too old to have kids or you never have a disabled child. As a mother of a developmentally disabled young adult I can say that the “R” word is a very hurtful word. The problem with the word is that people use it as either trying to be funny or to call someone that when they do something wrong. There are words you don’t use to describe some one of color, someone who is gay, etc. and the “R” word should not be used in a comedy because it will only make the word more accepted. Do you realize how many more teenagers and inmature adults will use this word more after seeing this movie?
By GR
August 14, 2008 4:50 PM | Link to this
This goes way beyond PC. Much like in “A Few Good Men” where Lance Cpl. Dawson says “We were supposed to fight for the people who couldn’t fight for themselves”, many of these people are not able to fight for themselves.
You demean their existence by the comment that people “should get a life”. That’s exactly what these people are fighting for, as many of them are not out for just “any cause”; this is personal.
By eponymous
August 14, 2008 4:51 PM | Link to this
Speak with your wallet: don’t go see the movie. Move on with your lives and problems, hopefully they are more pressing than this non-issue.
By ND
August 14, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this
They will protest, a few people will pick up on their cause and boycott the movie with them, and the rest of us will enjoy it. It’s the American way. Why hate on them for doing that? I don’t agree with the oversensitivity to words, but if that’s what they wanna do why waste time going on a blog to hate on them? Enjoy the movie yourself and move on.
By Jake
August 14, 2008 5:01 PM | Link to this
GR, hav, et al - The first thing requied to enjoy any movie is suspense of disbelief. Did you protest when the hideous beast got the pretty girl? Of course not. PC is destroying our 1st amendment.