'Tropic' demonstrators chant 'Ban the movie! Ban the word!'

At last night's "Tropic Thunder" premiere, demonstrators from several groups, including the American Assn. of People with Disabilities and led by Special Olympics chairman Tim Shriver, chanted, "Ban the movie, ban the word!"

The protesters were representatives from advocacy groups for the disabled that called for a national boycott of Stiller's film, citing a negative portrayal of people with, as Shriver said, "intellectual disabilities."

The protesters also handed out fliers urging people to boycott "Tropic Thunder" and carried posters with slogans that read "R-word = hate speech." (The word the groups have taken exception to is "retard.")

The demonstration did not affect the red-carpet arrivals of the film's stars and guests — including Amy Adams, Jodie Foster, Alicia Silverstone, Tobey Maguire, Rashida Jones, Nigel Lythgoe of "American Idol" fame, and Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes — because there were 10-foot-tall green fences erected around the carpet, blocking the view of the protesters.

"We felt that the use of the word 'retard' throughout the film, 15 or more times, is done without any regard for the dignity of people with intellectual disabilities. The caricatures of people with intellectual disabilities are almost hateful, and we want this to be the beginning of the end. We want this to be the end of Hollywood treating this population as the butt of jokes," Shriver said. Interestingly, he is Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's brother-in-law.

Was the audience at the screening offended by the movie's use of the word?

"The film pokes fun at everyone and everything," one journalist said. "But it did feel like people weren't laughing quite as loudly at the retard jokes. And there were a lot of them."

Maybe that was due to nervousness about the outside protest. Or was it because there was a disabled man in a wheelchair at the back of the theater?

Did he laugh?

"No," the observer said. "But the poor guy was hooked up to breathing tubes and didn't move at all or smile during the whole film."

Additonal reporting: Joel Stratte-McClure

Photos: Jack Black, Tom Cruise, Matthew McConaughey, Ben Stiller and Robert Downey Jr., pal around on the red carpet, top. Tom and Katie show their support for the film that's getting Cruise great reviews.
WireImage

Comments

[Picogirl]

I am soooo tired of having to be politically correct on everything that is said. People need to lighten up and realize that there are more serious matters in the world!!!

[feltyb]

Another example of the politically correct mob, who decides for the rest of us what or who we may insult or ridicule. These PC kooks are more dangerous that any terrorist...the last time I looked this was still the USA...where no one is immune from ridicule. These nutcases have a right to be heard...but not to ban or prohibit anything as long it is not illegal. Please PC kooks...get a life!

[stephenk]

Why did the article author think a person in a wheelchair had a mental disability? What a retard.

[ekbarin]

Picogirl, I am soooo tired of having to listen to slurs in everything that is said. People need to lighten up and stop complaining about not using derogatory terms. There are more serious matters in the world!!!

[Lee]

"Intellectual Disabilities" is just the currently fashionable politically correct term to replace the equally apropos "Mental Retardation", describing quite accurately an aberration in the neurophysiological growth of an individual's brain. To call truth a perjorative is to miss the point - People that would look down upon an intellectually disabled person look down upon them no matter the name applied to describe that person. The hate is in the speaker, not the word spoken. "Retard" in this context is no more inherently perjorative than "People with Intellectual Disabilities". Honestly in my own experience, the word "Retard" is used much more often as a label for someone who is fully functional from a neurophysiological standpoint, but is acting in a way that is perceived as idiotic.

In the end, words are tools. Trying to crack down on a word you don't like is like trying to crack down on hammers because you could hit yourself in the thumbnail with them. That's just retarded.

[John]

Oh, I have GOT to see this movie now! I wouldn't have given it a second glance had it not been for your headlines.

[Chris]

Picogirl -

It's different when you're 1) targeting a group of people that can't readily defend themselves and 2) contributing to an ongoing problem culturally where an entire group of people are being demeaned consistently.

Something tells me that if a Ben Stiller movie were to target Muslims or Blacks with hateful terms...etc... there'd be uproar.

This is an easy group to target. Someone's gotta stand up for them. And as the 22-year year old brother of an amazing guy with Down Syndrome - I'm on board to boycott and spread the word.

[Darren]

This whole thing is retarded. And it makes me want to see Tropic Thunder even more!

[jen]

I have to say that I am more intrigued to see the movie now more than ever. Since I have heard that a politically correct group wants it banned. If they are sooo against it, they don't have to watch it. Protests only make people want to see things more.

[FamousFool]

I think everybody needs to stop taking things so seriously... I have a sister who became retarded when she was 23 after being hit by a drunk driver... I still us the word and don't get offended hearing anybody else use it. Like somebody stated before, there are way to many things in this world that people should be focusing on besides being P.C.... all the protestors should get a life and put their time and effort into something that can actually help this world.

[allen]

retarded.

[SomeGuy]

Boycott a movie because it makes fon of a certain group of people? That's retarded. Hell, if we did that, we wouldn't have ANY comedies.

[Christopher McElree]

Yeah! And let's ban calling people dog.
The speech police are coming for you! They think they can legislate politeness. Retards! See, sometimes no other word will capture the meaning so perfectly. Can we use modifiers with the word "retarded"? Like "emotionally retarded"?

The word is also defines as:

"v. tr. To cause to move or proceed slowly; delay or impede.

v. intr. To be delayed.

n. 1. A slowing down or hindering of progress; a delay.
2. Music A slackening of tempo.
3. Occurring or developing later than desired or expected; delayed."

So all use of the phrase is to be banned? Morality can not be legislated, as lefties are so fond of pointing out in opposition to conservative principles.

This is like a George Carlin debacle.

[Rex]

"Ban the movie, Ban the word" - You wan to burn some books too? Anyone remember the last people to do that? Think a little bit.....what was the next step after that????
Instead of throwing a fit, and trying to ban the movie, how about just saying "this is offensive, and we won't be attending." Oh, right, YOUR view is right, and everyone else's is wrong, so we better listen to you.

[Ethan]

I heard on All Things Considered an interview withTimothy Shriver, chairman of the Special Olympics who was outraged at the movie. When asked if he ever planned to see the movie he replied that he had no "special need".

I was listening alone and had no one to laugh with.

[brad]

it's a movie!!! where were these people when the bush administration abolished habeas corpus. defend our civil liberties from the pukes in washington. protest for a reason, not a fictional movie. if the movie pokes fun at everything whats the harm. i guess there were no intellectually disabled people in the movie, because then they would be allowed to use the word retard.

[Arlo Scott Kennedy]

There's a tough balance to attain here.

None of us wants to live in a "politically correct" society wherein we "ban the word" or, for that matter, ban any word.

Yet, erring on the side of free expression doesn't necessarily mean a lack of sensitivity.

Where's the line?

The line is right where we're drawing it. In a free society, a film that contains language that a segment of the American population finds offensive has premiered and will hit screens across the country.

In the end, writers, actors and executives will gauge the audience and media response via box office receipts and the overall current zeitgeist regarding this particular brand of edgy content.

The outcome will influence future films.

My opinion?

For what it's worth, I believe the vitriole aimed at Ben Stiller is probably a tad over the top.

I've a dear friend that's "sight impaired" but INSISTS on being referred to as "blind as a bat." He positively DESPISES political correctness when it comes to disabilities.

I've a gut instinct that his opinion is probably held by a significant portion of the disabled community.

Violent amputation isn't typically considered funny. BUT, in the context of a Monty Python movie in which it's "just a flesh wound", it can and should provoke uproarious laughter.

Comedy and it's grandson, Satire, should allow an artist a wider berth than deadly serious, representational art.

Go a little easier on Ben, m'kay?

[Chef R]

Wow....you would think with all that comedic talent in the movie that they would be able to get the laughs without degrading the disbled. Maybe we should be questioning the actors skills.

[BrianGriffinLovesYou]

Hey--are you all that addicted to hate speech? "Retard" is no different from "Sheeny" (I've been called that because of my Jewish heritage) or any other slur against a group of people based on something uncontrollable. Kramer's stand-up act should be a marker-stone.

[Stephen Smith]

I find the "R" word as offensive as the "N" word. The difference is that some people feel they can get away with it, because the people they are attacking are the least capable to defend themselves. It's time for the media to stand up against this hurtful injustice. I heard Steve and Jillian on Fox this morning being dismissive of the protest, saying "they don't have to see the film if they don't like it". But would they have the same attitude if it was the "N" word, or the film had an antisemitic theme? I am really surprised by the awful comments that have been made about this article. Perhaps if the authors had a brother or child that was disabled, they would understand how hurtful it is for a defenseless child to be attacked in this way. People like Howard Stern have gotten away with this behavior for years, so much so that the "Retard" has become a commonly used word in the vocabulary. But attacking the most vulnerable is not my definition of a civilized society. I appreciate the support the Los Angeles Times gives to this cause by its coverage.

[K.T.]

sticks and stones, people. get a life. using the word "retard" is pretty stupid, but trying to ban speech is even more stupid. there are plenty of fascist countries around the world... move to one of those if you have an isatiable need to control the thoughts and words of others.

[Tigereye48]

"Mental retardation" is the politically correct term. Now we are supposed to change it again? DUH! Not happening.

What stupid idiot though of this idea?

[andy]

I thought American Assn. of People with Disabilities group is only
disabled. Didn't know they are retarded until they show up protesting.
Now that's retarded!
can't distinguish a comdy movie from real life.

[Jim]

I think that the word has lost that direct meaning. Nobody calls that particular group 'retarded' anymore. Once upon a time it was a technical term, like idiot and moron, which are now obsolete. Aren't they called something more politically correct, like developmentally delayed or challenged, these days?

[melissa]

I think it's retarded that people are reacting this way. This movie isn't targeting an innocent individual it's meant to provide laughter in a world that needs more of it. As my Dad always said... if you don't like it, don't look at it.