Special Olympics New York joins protest of film to be released August 13
(SCHENECTADY, NY)  This Wednesday, August 13, Tropic Thunder, a movie starring Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr. and Jack Black, will premiere in theaters nationwide.  Tropic Thunder features a movie-within-the movie: "Simple Jack;   Once upon a time there was a retard." 

A coalition of 22 national disability organizations including Special Olympics, National Down Syndrome Society, American Association of People with Disabilities and the ARC of the United States are speaking out against DreamWorks' new film, Tropic Thunder. The film features the prominent use of the word "retard" and portrays people with intellectual disabilities in a disparaging way. 

 
Said Neal J. Johnson, President and CEO of Special Olympics New York, "Special Olympics strives continuously to educate people about the gifts and talents of people with intellectual disabilities. It is part of Special Olympics'  Be a FanTM public awareness campaign that highlights the commonality of all people and the values that we all share and admire - acceptance, dignity, joy, determination and courage among others.  To have these efforts impacted so harshly and so negatively by a commercial film is disheartening.   We expect better citizenship from the Hollywood film industry. By commenting on the movie, we are responsibly registering our position of disappointment in such a lack of cultural stewardship."

"Comedies are supposed to be funny. Tropic Thunder is far from funny," said J. Brady Lum, Special Olympics International President and COO. "It is offensive and hurtful. The word 'retard' is derogatory hate speech that demeans the more than three percent of people around the world who have intellectual disabilities.  Hollywood and Tropic Thunder use and abuse the word 'retard,' encouraging behavior that continues to demean a portion of our population who already face many challenges. Special Olympics opposes all forms of prejudice and continues its mission to educate people about the value and capabilities of people with intellectual disabilities and promote their overall acceptance and inclusion in society."
 
Special Olympics is an international organization that changes lives by promoting understanding and mutual respect among people with and without intellectual disabilities.  Through year-round sports training and athletic competition and other related programming for 2.8 million children and adults with intellectual disabilities in more than 180 countries, Special Olympics has created a model community that celebrates people's diverse gifts.  Founded in 1968, Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy and friendship.  

 CONTACT: Susan MacBryde, 518-388-0790 ext. 109, smacbryde@nyso.org