UCC Disabilities Ministries

Statement of Solidarity

We, as organizations and self-advocates representing members of the
disability community, recognize the dignity of individuals with
intellectual disabilities, the challenges they and their families face, and
the meaningful and powerful contributions they make to their families,
their communities, and their country,

Acknowledge that individuals with intellectual disabilities have been
subject to discrimination, abuse, and exclusion from society throughout
history;

Recognize that the more than 200 million individuals with intellectual
disabilities worldwide, and more than 6 million individuals with
intellectual disabilities in the US, have suffered severe consequences
including: institutionalization, physical, sexual, and emotional abuse,
denial of education, employment, and healthcare, segregation, and targeted
hate crimes;

Acknowledge that “attitudes and expectations of the public, in part,
determine the degree to which children, adolescents and adults with
intellectual disabilities are able to learn, work and live alongside their
peers without disabilities.” (President’s Committee for People with
Intellectual Disabilities, 2004);

Understand that for over four decades, the media has consistently
mischaracterized people with intellectual disabilities; (Pardun, 2005)

Realize that over 80% of U.S. adults surveyed feel that media portrayals
are an obstacle to the acceptance and inclusion of people with intellectual
disabilities. (Pardun, 2005)

Recognize that many people, including those with intellectual disabilities,
their families and friends, consider the “R-word” just as offensive as the
“N-word;” and

Declare that under the guise of “parody,” whether intentional or not,
Tropic Thunder demeans, insults, and harms individuals with intellectual
disabilities by using the “R- word.” Furthermore, it perpetuates derogatory
images and stereotypes of individuals with intellectual disabilities
including mocking their physical appearance and speech, supports the
continuation of inappropriate myths and misperceptions, and legitimizes
painful discrimination, exclusion, and bullying;

TOGETHER, we declare our intention to make the public aware of the need to
create and foster inclusion of individuals with intellectual disabilities
as a matter of social justice by:
. Boycotting the film and explaining to our nation’s children why the
film is harmful;
. Educating the public, especially young people, about intellectual
disabilities through far-reaching awareness campaigns to ban the use of the
“R-word,” and other initiatives to permanently change attitudes and promote
inclusion;
. Calling on Hollywood studios, writers and executives to pledge to
make this the final chapter in a sullied history of demeaning portrayals of
individuals with intellectual disabilities and assist in public education
campaigns;
. Requesting that Congress investigate and conduct oversight of how
Hollywood portrays individuals with intellectual disabilities and the
effect these portrayals have on our nation and around the world.

Signatories:

National:

American Association of People with Disabilities
American Foundation for the Blind
Arc of the United States
Autistic Self-Advocacy Network
Best Buddies International
Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, Inc.
National Council on Independent Living
National Down Syndrome Society
National Down Syndrome Congress
Special Olympics
TASH
United Church of Christ Disabilities Ministries

State:
Disabilities Network of NYC

If your group is interested in signing on to the attached Statement of
Support and Solidarity, please send your name, group name, and contact
information to Barbara Kornblau at Special Olympics, ASAP at
bkornblau@specialolympics.org