Contestants on the reality show Big Brother aren't always careful with their words. This time, it's the autism community that's responding to an inappropriate remark. According to an AP article:
John Gilmore, executive director of Autism United, said Monday that his group has been trying to speak with CBS executives since last week's broadcast.While I certainly can't condone name calling -- especially when it's wholly undeserved -- I'm not quite sure why this is becoming something of a media event. The contestant is representing only himself when he behaves badly, and I honestly can't work up a lot of anger relative to his silly remark.On that episode, a contestant named Adam, who claims to work for an autism foundation, said he would spend his winnings on a hair salon for people with developmental disabilities "so retards can get it together and get their hair done."
His partner, Sheila, told him: "Don't call them that."
Adam responded: "Disabled kids. I can call them whatever I want. I work with them all day, OK?"
Clearly, though, my response is not the norm; in fact, the AP article and related articles are posted in dozens of publications and blogs! What's your take on this obnoxious media event?
I would agree, the contestant was not representing CBS or CBS’s point of view. At least Sheila spoke up, so there was some reprimand even if Adam didn’t listen. I myself would not expect an apology from CBS, but from the contestant himself and I would bet that remark will also spark some issues with the autism foundation Adam works for. That’s actually the course the fuss should be upon, those that Adam actually works with and his own state of mind while working with them, not CBS.
The nasty remark- term has been around for years, and it really needs to go but that’s not so easy. You still hear it on older movies, and a neighbor calls her own typical teen daughter this same term right in front of me as if it was just a meaningless word, just the same as nerd, dork idiot and so on. Maybe it is a meaningless word, except to those who need to make the world politically correct.
Sometimes the more fuss you make out of it, the more attention it brings back to such a nasty term and then the term is used even more.
Lisa,
Just curious, do you have a child with autism? I suspect not based on your post.
His words were hurtful, insensitive and bigoted. He are constantly fighting stereotypes associated with our kids and comments like Adam’s don’t help at all.
Also, the bigger issue here (which is not being picked up by the media) is the “foundation” that Adam claims to work for. There are posts on other forums claiming that Adam isn’t even a PR rep for this autism foundation and that he was just a sales rep. As of the other day, a fishy website with Adam’s pictures on it was taking donations via PayPal. I think this is a much bigger issue which I’m sure the media will be looking into shortly.
I don’t think that one remark is going to horribly alter the already long standing stereotyping of kids/ people with autism, nor is that word going to be removed from the English vocabulary any time soon. My son has autism and I am not completed offended by the lousy poor comment the man said, nor was I that offended when my neighbor said it. Name calling is name calling any way you look at it and it goes on every minute of the day. The key thing is to teach a child on either end the importance of not name calling and how to handle it when they are name called. It can be ignored as easily as a dirty look, and after all, I myself do not lump all those with autism into one group so I do not take it as personal as maybe other’s do who want an apology from CBS. I think it’s a poor Media item to direct attention to autism.
I probably shouldn’t even leave a comment, because I think that this man is just trying to get media attention for himself, and his Autism “foundation” (not sure if it is a real foundation or not). As obnoxious as the remark was, let’s not give him extra attention for it. That is just my opinion.
AspieMama
~A Blog for Parents with Asperger’s~
http://www.aspiemama.blogspot.com/
I suppose we all draw it in different locations, but for me this was way over the line. In my opinion, by allowing this sort of remark to air, CBS is condoning the behavior. (Would they have aired a contestant spewing the “n” word … I doubt it…)
Stereotypic name-calling, whether it be based on race, religion, disability or gender is completely out of control and just plain wrong. CBS should take action and send this guy packing.
I hear that CBS has subsequently apologised.
BEst wishes
I agree with autismville. CBS chose to not edit or even “bleep” the slur and many of us who have loved ones diagnosed with autism or are on the spectrum find the word to be highly offensive. CBS would have censored the “N” word in some way, I’m sure of that. I have not heard that CBS has apologized. In fact, I have read just the opposite. CBS allowed this word which is a symbol of a painful history to be broadcast.
Further, the organization Adam claims to be employed is one that has brought about much research. Some evidence makes one wonder if it is truly a legitimate organization that has a primary goal of helping children with autism or if it is a front that exploits autistic children for personal profit. Information is not clear so allegations must not be stated; however, it does seem to warrant further investigation.
I hate that Adam has received so much media attention. He isn’t worth it. Parents such as myself would like CBS to recognize the “R” to be unacceptable especially for broadcast. And many want to ensure that organizations who help our children are legitimate. I do hope the United Autism Foundation is, but the red flags cannot be ignored.
Not sure about CBS, but United Autism Foundation President of Florida nonprofit apologized did. I guess Adam is referred to as a bonehead in real life, too.
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2008/02/20/2008-02-20_big_brother_boneheads_autism_group_apolo.html
if he had said the N word what would have happened then ???
N word? see now here we dont even have an N word, because it’s okay just to say it without malace!
GET A LIFE! It was a thoughtless comment on a second rate reality TV show…. Why don’t you people worry more about the social policies of our government … or lack there of. The $$$ that has been taken away from the developmentally disabled over the last decade has done far more harm than that one comment ever could!
I think Autism United is using this as a publicity vehicle, pure and simple. Squeaky wheel scenario. Decided this would get some play versus the big boys (ie – Autism Speaks) and called in a favor with an AP reporter on a slow news day.
Really non-news. But good for them I guess, I mean, they now have their name in this blog and in this comment!
Shame on CBS & the person that made the remark. I hope that he doesn’t work with special needs children. If he does he should be fired!!! His remark certainly is indicative of his demeanor with those entrusted to his care. Shame on Big Brother – personally his remark deserves more media attention. People like him we don’t need.
Let’s take a look at this… What is OK and what is NOT OK…Is it OK to make fun of Autistic children, but not Jews? How about those cancer-kids…or using the N-word… Is it only OK when the target-of-the-”fun” cannot speak back? Would it be OK for me to call persons of Pacific-heritage a “fun” name…if I worked with them all day? How about African-Americans? How about it, CBS…?
Typical stupid knee jerk reaction of one group of hypersensitive idiots to the thoughtless remark of another. As a parent of an Autistic child I can tell you for sure that the offense you take has little to do with your child and more to do with your own self pity. You need to wake up stop feeling sorry for yourself and your child and spend you time and effort in productively helping your little one cope with his illness. I would gladly move to a State that funded IBI and early intervention even if the state motto was ‘retards welcome’. So get off the pity train and get on with your life.
Adam’s remarks were uncalled for especially since he stated that he works with special needs kids for an Autsim Foundation. Which of course once I did research on Adam is not true he bascially called for donations on a foundation that may or may not be legitimate.
CBS chose not to edit the remark and they had the opportunity to do so. If it was a remark on anyone else, or if the house guest were have sex I can guarantee you that they would have edited that out.
For those of you who think that the remark was ok, you obviously do not have a loved one that has special needs. Kids with autism get made fun of as the parents are made to feel we have bad parenting skills because of sometimes how our children act. I once had a lady tell me when my son was unable to communicate and used picture cards in which to do so, had a melt down because we didn’t have a pic that he needed. She had the audiacity to tell me all he needed was a good swat on the butt. I was upset with her and tried to explain that he was unable to communicate. Her comment was, “he doesn’t look like there is anything wrong with him.” You could have knocked me over with a feather. My comment to her was, “well you don’t look like a rude b—- but you are”.
She quickly walked away from the check out line.
My 14yr old had more empathy in her pinky then Adam does in his whole body or CBS in their entire network
And for those of you thinking yes she does volunteer every Saturday for the Miracle League Network where we live as a Buddy.
And yes we as a family do as well.
Autistic kids are bright, sweet and awesome.
And Dave your remark is just as bad, you are the jerks that think that way then you and ADam should live together far away from those of us who have autistic children.
We parent’s do work with our children to accept their illness and deal with as you so say. Just so you know Dave our family/friends are very supportive and are helping fight rude ppl like yourself. Don’t throw stones or feel you have walked in our shoes because you haven’t.
We parents have to fight for the medical support we need on a daily basis with the insurance companies to assist US in getting the help OUR children need so they can DEAL with it.
How about supporting us in our efforts?????
Until then move to the state that would welcome you. Or perhaps if ADam wins he can buy an island so all of you who think the way Adam and Dave does can go live there.
My son is autistic and I do not hold the television station responsible for the actions of one ignorant person but I can say that my child is not a “retard” and if I would have been in the Big Brother house, I would have went to jail that day.