Special Olympics

[KnightofChrist]

Well I don't know if someone made a racial joke negative to blacks, would we not think that maybe perhaps they could be racist just a little?

The Obama's joke could in some way show his disregard or disrespect for the Mentally Handicap, how ever small the disregard or disrespect.

[Lilllabettt]

[quote name='KnightofChrist' post='1813373' date='Mar 21 2009, 05:12 PM']Well I don't know if someone made a racial joke negative to blacks, would we not think that maybe perhaps they could be racist just a little?

The Obama's joke could in some way show his disregard or disrespect for the Mentally Handicap, how ever small the disregard or disrespect.[/quote]

I know of a person who grew up in the 40s deep south who was raised in a racist family. Now, he realizes it is wrong, doesn't believe in it, yet still the "n" word still slips out every once in a long while. He feels terrible when it happens, and says he's sorry. He does everything he can to avoid saying it and to treat black people with respect in every other way.

He is not a racist, even though he may say a racist word or even have strong racist feelings. Our choices are what make us who we are.

I think if this person deliberately decided to tell a racist joke, was called on it and showed no remorse, then I think it'd be appropriate to say "that one is a racist."

But President Obama accidentally made an insulting joke, admitted he was wrong, and said he was sorry.

I think the vast majority of people have "slipped up" this way at one time or another. I personally once cracked an insensitive joke about epilepsy. Our mistakes are not broadcast cross country because we are not stupid enough to go on the Tonight Show and try to be funny.

[rhetoricfemme]

[quote name='Madame Vengier' post='1813193' date='Mar 21 2009, 07:08 AM']Overboard.[/quote]

The president has a responsibility to uphold the dignity of all US citizens, and his joke was insensitive and hurtful to a community of people who need it the least.

It may seem like it's a non-issue, but it really can be a problem. So many people have their ideas of what a disabled person is or isn't capable of, and often times their thoughts are founded on ignorant assumptions or even refusal to educate themselves. Think about how a joke like Obama's falls onto the ears of those people. Believe me when I say people can be more than cruel. Sometimes their cruelty is on purpose, and sometimes it's because of ignorance. Both my sister and my sister-in-law have mental and physical disabilities, and while most people either mind their own business or are polite, and loving, there have been more than a few people share their discomfort for handicapped people.

When my husband and siser were children, my mother-in-law had social services at her door. A neighbor called them citing child negligence, but the case worker found nothing wrong and wanted to know why the woman called. The woman explained that she called because my sister-in-law, was playing in the play area outside their apartment complex, and, according to her, a girl like that shouldn't be let outside. She was also upset that my sister-in-law was allowed to dress herself. While her disabilities are apparent (due to lack of oxygen at her birth she has severe developmental issues), this woman was coming down on a little girl who was clearly as self-sufficient as you could ask a child to be, and she was simply trying to enjoy herself.

As for my own sister, she is a grown woman who is 100 percent reliant on her family to take care of her, has had her own share of ignorant people surrounding her, including her own doctors. We're fortunate to have an amazingly caring doctor for her now, but in the past there have been veteran medical physicians who have been literally afraid to touch her. I don't mean afraid-of-a-lawsuit-for-making-her-sick touching, but I mean a pat on the shoulder or a hug.

So you see, a word can be detrimental. Think of it as "paying it forward" in reverse, because it's those little negative things that lie dormant as, "no big deal," and they eventually snowball into ignorance and prejudice. It's not okay for anyone to let an insensitive joke like that slip out, let alone the president.

Edited March 21, 2009 by rhetoricfemme

[Madame Vengier]

[quote name='rhetoricfemme' post='1813401' date='Mar 21 2009, 04:56 PM']The president has a responsibility to uphold the dignity of all US citizens, and his joke was insensitive and hurtful to a community of people who need it the least.

It may seem like it's a non-issue, but it really can be a problem. So many people have their ideas of what a disabled person is or isn't capable of,[/quote]

Repeat, repeat, repeat: The president made NO COMMENTS about disabled people. He was making a JOKE about his own low skills in bowling.

Again, OVERBOARD.

[Hassan]

[quote name='Madame Vengier' post='1813405' date='Mar 21 2009, 05:06 PM']Repeat, repeat, repeat: The president made NO COMMENTS about disabled people. He was making a JOKE about his own low skills in bowling.

Again, OVERBOARD.[/quote]


Wow, what a silly thing for me to say, that's like Madam V silly!


Yes, I am not making you the primary target of this and focusing on myself, but I am using you as a point of reference to my own short comming.

I agree with you that it has been blown way out of proportion, but it could still be offensive, for good reason, to someone with disabilities.

[Lilllabettt]

[quote name='rhetoricfemme' post='1813401' date='Mar 21 2009, 05:56 PM']When my husband and siser were children, my mother-in-law had social services at her door. A neighbor called them citing child negligence, but the case worker found nothing wrong and wanted to know why the woman called. The woman explained that she called because my sister-in-law, was playing in the play area outside their apartment complex, and, according to her, a girl like that shouldn't be let outside. She was also upset that my sister-in-law was allowed to dress herself. While her disabilities are apparent (due to lack of oxygen at her birth she has severe developmental issues), this woman was coming down on a little girl who was clearly as self-sufficient as you could ask a child to be, and she was simply trying to enjoy herself.

As for my own sister, she is a grown woman who is 100 percent reliant on her family to take care of her, has had her own share of ignorant people surrounding her, including her own doctors. We're fortunate to have an amazingly caring doctor for her now, but in the past there have been veteran medical physicians who have been literally afraid to touch her. I don't mean afraid-of-a-lawsuit-for-making-her-sick touching, but I mean a pat on the shoulder or a hug.[/quote]

What you are describing are a number of actions that people deliberately decided to take which were disrespectful to disabled people ... not words spoken accidentally.

But you know what, you're right. Words can hurt.

And the President didn't say that his words were okay or didn't matter. In fact, he apologized. I don't know what else people want from him.

I'm sorry your sister had trouble with her doctors. Finding a good doctor can be difficult, the really smart ones tend to have problems relating socially, I've found. I don't blame doctors for not hugging patients though. Most physicians will not show physical affection with patients like that; especially not with children or developmentally challenged people ... I know when I worked in elementary school, we were not allowed to touch any of the children in any way. Hugging and patting not allowed.

[littleflower+JMJ]

[quote name='rhetoricfemme' post='1813401' date='Mar 21 2009, 04:56 PM']The president has a responsibility to uphold the dignity of all US citizens, and his joke was insensitive and hurtful to a community of people who need it the least.

It may seem like it's a non-issue, but it really can be a problem. So many people have their ideas of what a disabled person is or isn't capable of, and often times their thoughts are founded on ignorant assumptions or even refusal to educate themselves. Think about how a joke like Obama's falls onto the ears of those people. Believe me when I say people can be more than cruel. Sometimes their cruelty is on purpose, and sometimes it's because of ignorance. Both my sister and my sister-in-law have mental and physical disabilities, and while most people either mind their own business or are polite, and loving, there have been more than a few people share their discomfort for handicapped people.

When my husband and siser were children, my mother-in-law had social services at her door. A neighbor called them citing child negligence, but the case worker found nothing wrong and wanted to know why the woman called. The woman explained that she called because my sister-in-law, was playing in the play area outside their apartment complex, and, according to her, a girl like that shouldn't be let outside. She was also upset that my sister-in-law was allowed to dress herself. While her disabilities are apparent (due to lack of oxygen at her birth she has severe developmental issues), this woman was coming down on a little girl who was clearly as self-sufficient as you could ask a child to be, and she was simply trying to enjoy herself.

As for my own sister, she is a grown woman who is 100 percent reliant on her family to take care of her, has had her own share of ignorant people surrounding her, including her own doctors. We're fortunate to have an amazingly caring doctor for her now, but in the past there have been veteran medical physicians who have been literally afraid to touch her. I don't mean afraid-of-a-lawsuit-for-making-her-sick touching, but I mean a pat on the shoulder or a hug.

So you see, a word can be detrimental. Think of it as "paying it forward" in reverse, because it's those little negative things that lie dormant as, "no big deal," and they eventually snowball into ignorance and prejudice. It's not okay for anyone to let an insensitive joke like that slip out, let alone the president.[/quote]

I agree. Definitely.

[rhetoricfemme]

[quote name='Lilllabettt' post='1813427' date='Mar 21 2009, 03:40 PM']I know when I worked in elementary school, we were not allowed to touch any of the children in any way. Hugging and patting not allowed.[/quote]

Yeah, I can understand the no hugging or patting allowed rule, but in a way it's unfortunate that our society has needs for rules like that. Cause sometimes a hug is just what a child needs and isn't getting. You never know...

Doctors hugging patients does seem odd, yes, lol. If it weren't for my sister I don't imagine I would've considered it whatsoever. At her appointments my mother has to be present to communicate for her, so there wouldn't be any misinterpretations there. And she's picky with who she will let touch her, but when she likes someone one of her main ways of showing it is offering a hug. Our doctor now takes her hugs when he's privileged with the offer, lol. But we've actually seen doctors flinch or hold back when taking her blood pressure or something... I should've mentioned that that was what I was originally referencing to.

[Lilllabettt]

[quote name='rhetoricfemme' post='1813436' date='Mar 21 2009, 07:01 PM']Yeah, I can understand the no hugging or patting allowed rule, but in a way it's unfortunate that our society has needs for rules like that. Cause sometimes a hug is just what a child needs and isn't getting. You never know... [/quote]

Agreed, it blows chunks. They told us "if a kid comes to give you a hug, hold out your arms and turn to the side." I admit I broke this stupid rule a number of times.

[ironmonk]

time for a revolution.