The "R" Word

Well, I have not seen the movie Tropical Thunder but I have noticed that there have been several protests because they used the "R word" for mentally challenged people in the movie. I do understand that that word is hurtful to people who are mentally challenged. My own son has been hurt by people calling him that.

I just wonder if people take offense to easily or take things too far. I can understand walking out of a movie that offends you. I don't see why you have to try to deter other people from seeing the movie. Sometimes a joke is just a joke. When does it go too far? I don't know?

Sometimes it's hard to be sensitive to others feelings but still have a sense of humor. I have to say that if someone uses that word to describe someone who ISN'T mentally challenged, it doesn't bother me. If they call someone that who is mentally challenged, then it's just plain mean.

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Adrian mentioned this the other night. He said the movie people were asked to change it and they said no way. Good for them.

Lots of words are funny in one context and hurtful in another.

We were watching Jackass 2.5 last night and it's full of "the R word"...wonder why no one cared?

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Hello Boudica,

I've never agreed with boycotting movies, burning or banning books, and all the other activities true believers seem to support in their cause. I tend to ban movies, books, etc., with my wallet.

That said, I also believe making fun of people based on things out of their control such as race, gender, cognitive ability, etc., is rarely advisable and, frankly (IMHO) rarely funny. Does it rise to the level of a boycott? I don't think so.

Be well.

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I don't find this kind of humour funny in the slightest. But I don't agree with the boycott either. Retarded is just a word. As Tex said, context is everything

PS: If anyone takes offence to me using 'retarded' here, too bad. I'll say it again, it is just a word.

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I remember Mr. Magoo (a cartoon I watched a lot when I was a child) and some people getting upset because they portrayed him as a kind of screw ball. I was highly offended by the offended people! Mr. Magoo was not blind, but he was very sight impaired. Just as I was as a child and adult. And yet I could watch the cartoons (I never did see the movie) and laugh and identify with Mr. Magoo.

Some people are just too stupid for words, but instead of keeping their mouth shut, they use the opportunity to prove it to the world. Retarded used in the wrong context can be a perjorative. However, it is not always used as such. As the Uncle of a DS child, I would never call him that because he is not. But I do know a lot of people that have no disabilities that are.

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I was highly offended by the offended people!

lol

Retarded is just a word. As Tex said, context is everything

exactly

I've never agreed with boycotting movies, burning or banning books, and all the other activities true believers seem to support in their cause. I tend to ban movies, books, etc., with my wallet.

That is my opinion too. If you don't like it, don't support it but why do you think you need to keep other people from making their own decisions. Censorship is censorship.

We were watching Jackass 2.5 last night and it's full of "the R word"...wonder why no one cared?

Exactly. I just watched Step Brothers and it was in there, yet no protests.

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