Article in the AJC regarding Tropic Thunder, by Mary Yoder, AADD's Executive Director

Thursday, August 28, 2008

I recently saw the movie “Tropic Thunder.”As the lights brightened in the theater and moviegoers around me remained to laugh and talk about the film, I saw the faces of people I have known, people with intellectual disabilities who have experienced all kinds of abuse —- sexual, physical, psychological, emotional and economic —- at the hands of “normal” people.

The movie created intense feelings for me, feelings that still linger. While the disrespectful and derogatory terms used to describe people with intellectual disabilities were offensive to me, my overwhelming feeling is a grave concern that this kind of ridicule will perpetuate increased assaults on the dignity, and even safety, of people with developmental disabilities.

It is a reality that around 85 percent of women with developmental disabilities are victims of violence or sexual abuse in their lifetimes and that 32 percent of males will be victims. Many will be victims again and again.

As a society, we are called to defend and support our most vulnerable fellow beings, not to put them at further risk. Yes, the assaults in “Tropic Thunder” were verbal —- some might say “only verbal” —- but the words we use reflect and reinforce what we believe, and once those words leave our mouths, they influence the thoughts, perceptions and actions of others. I have met too many people who believe that persons with intellectual disabilities are somehow less than human, or not capable of deep and complex thoughts and feeling —- therefore targets for ridicule, mistreatment and even abuse. This movie devalued, demoralized and dehumanized fellow human beings.

Few of us want to hurt other people, yet the words we use can and —- as history has proven over and over again —- do result in dehumanization, prejudice, segregation, isolation, wasted lives and even abuse and death. From this history, we know it is much harder to hurt someone when we see them as people first.

I am proud to work for the Atlanta Alliance on Developmental Disabilities, an organization that has focused on inclusion for all for more than 50 years. AADD works to help people with developmental disabilities secure greater independence, dignity and respect. Derogatory comments and disrespectful characterizations such as those in “Tropic Thunder” undermine our efforts to build communities of support, acceptance and opportunity for children, adults and families living with developmental disabilities.

I implore you to think twice before using derogatory terms or laughing at people because they have disabilities. Consider reaching out to someone who has an intellectual disability and find the gifts she/he brings to family and community, or talk to an employer who knows firsthand that people with intellectual disabilities make great employees. I ask you to put people first, period.

Click here for the link.