Very recently, DreamWorks produced a movie, “Tropic Thunder” that unfortunately makes a very negative portrayal of a person with intellectual disabilities. Throughout the film, several of the actors make use of the word “retard” in a misguided attempt to be funny while making fun of persons with intellectual disabilities.
Devereux’s founder, Helena Devereux, was a Philadelphia schoolteacher who, nearly one hundred years ago and against the conventions of that time, began her fight against such harmful stereotypes. She believed that all people, regardless of disability, have unique strengths that can be built upon to produce a life of meaning and hope. Out of her beliefs, and other like-minded pioneers, thousands of individuals with intellectual and emotional difficulties now lead lives of fulfillment and contribution.
Such insensitive use of stereotypes in the movie “Tropic Thunder” maligns persons with intellectual disabilities in a manner that produces harm and perpetuates cruel and teasing behavior in our nation’s schools and places of work.
Such stereotypes, particularly those that are meant to demean and embarrass, only serve to impede the progress of individuals with intellectual and emotional challenges as they seek to find the fulfillment and happiness in life that all of us deserve to pursue.
The families of the children and adults at Devereux face many difficult challenges in their efforts to provide the appropriate supports to a loved one struggling with a disability. Our society must not compound their struggles by perpetuating such cruel and uninformed stigmas.
