Here's the latest article from the Special Needs Children site at BellaOnline.com.
Tropic Thunder Affects Ordinary Life
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art58185.asp
Ben Stiller´s movie, Tropic Thunder, offers a humiliating portrayal of a developmentally disabled character, hate language, and a ´movie within a movie´ that promotes immediate danger to individuals with intellectual disabilities who attend movies, work at theaters, or participate in community life.
Advocacy organizations, local support groups and individual family members are protesting the depiction of the character Simple Jack and misrepresentation of parents of children with disabilities. They objected to DreamWork's decision to market the movie through a despicable webpage, www.tuggspeedman.com, and movie poster based on the 'movie with a movie', and condemn the prolific use of hate language demeaning to people with intellectual challenges that is already reflected in public discussions of our concerns.
National organizations urge a boycott of the movie and raising awareness of the substantial consequences of accepting or ignoring hateful language. Some parents are setting up informational tables and pickets at local theaters showing the film, others put signs in their vehicles or deliver copies of anti-hate literature to movie theaters to distribute to patrons. Others are checking with their local school district and mayor's office to see whether there are rules or ordinances against hate language that includes protection of individuals with disabilities.
Many advocates are setting up newspaper, television and radio interviews to get the word out to our friends as well as families of mainstream children who may not know that the movie has scenes and language in it that affect their children's social development and our sons' and daughters' quality of life, opportunities, inclusion and safety in their communities and schools.
Let us know what is happening in your community, school or social program at the discussion forum:
http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=57
Please distribute this information as widely as is possible.
Excellent articles and presentations are available at:
PatriciaEBauer.com
http://www.patriciaebauer.com/2008/08/08/just-the-facts-tropic-thunder/#more-2929
and
http://www.patriciaebauer.com/2008/08/01/once-upon-a-time/
Terri Mauro's View of "Tropic Thunder"
http://specialchildren.about.com/b/2008/08/11/tropic-thunder-blasted-by-disability-groups.htm
Will Schermerhorn put together something wonderful that is available to be shared in many formats (flash, wmv, quicktime) and as a YouTube movie.
http://www.blueberryshoes.com/psa/index.html
Ban the R-word
http://www.r-word.org/
Change Offensive R-word to 'ridiculous'
Thursday August 14
http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008808140359
Chewing the Fat - Dave Hingsburger
Words Hit Like A Fist
http://davehingsburger.blogspot.com/2008/08/words-hit-like-fist.html
'Disability groups protest 'Tropic Thunder'
Protestors hold signs criticizing the upcoming film "Tropic Thunder" across the street from the film's premiere in Los Angeles on Monday, Aug. 11, 2008.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/movies/1402ap_film_tropic_thunder_protest.html
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'Tropic Thunder' finds itself at the center of a firestorm
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/movies/374671_tropic13.html
Please visit specialneedschildren.bellaonline.com for even more great content about Special Needs Children.
To participate in online discussions, this site has a community forum for support and informatin sharing located here -
http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=57
Start a new subject heading or add to:
Protest Tropic Thunder's Disability Stereotype
I hope to hear from you sometime soon, either in the forum or in response to this email message. Stay strong.
Please pass this message along to family and friends, to protect and defend vulnerable people who do not have a voice.
Pamela Wilson, Special Needs Children Editor
http://specialneedschildren.bellaonline.com
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http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art50678.asp
Faith, Religion, and Children with Special Needs
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Diabetes Information for Classmates
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art32541.asp
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The Power of Communication
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Sensory Integration and Children http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art48942.asp
How Uncomfortable is Your Child? Sensory Processing Disorders
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art960.asp
Recognizing Early Signs of Autism
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art55223.asp
MRSA Antibiotic Resistant Staph Infections
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art56280.asp
Kindergarten Transition
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Feeding Therapy for Children
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art56207.asp
Encouraging Late Talking Children
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art55867.asp
Recess Skills for Children with Special Needs
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art432.asp
Oral Health and Dental Visits for Children
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art55319.asp
Sleep Disorders and Children with Special Needs
http://http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art33877.asp
Outdoor Games for Summer
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art57092.asp
State and National Park Disability Passes
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Explaining a Serious Diagnosis to Children
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art56383.asp
