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E-newsletters
Check out our (pretty much) weekly e-newsletters here.  Packed with lots of information about MADSS, upcoming events, and our community.

MADSS eNews 9/24/09

MADSS eNews 9/16/09
MADSS eNews 9/11/09
MADSS eNews 8/28/09
MADSS e-News 8/13/09
MADSS e-News 7/24/09
MADSS e-News 7/16/09
MADSS e-News 6/25/09
MADSS eNews 6/12/09
MADSS E-News 6/4/2009
MADSS E-News 5/28/09
MADSS e-News 5.22.09

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'Tropic Thunder' Response

The big budget movie, 'Tropic Thunder,' set to debut on 8/13, has angered disability advocates across the country for its crass, dehumanizing characterization of people with intellectual disabilities. Trailers and YouTube postings centered on the Ben Stiller character "Simple John" have included copious use of the word "retard" and the hot new catchphrase from the movie, "never go full retard," is already on t-shirts. A national coalition is calling for a boycott of this film.
To be clear, MADSS does not advocate censorship. We are simply asking our supporters to be thoughtful about the impact of your entertainment dollars when making decisions about this film. The image evoked by the word "retard" is harmful because it prevents society from seeing people with disabilities as individuals with promise and value to add to our community. Consider the effect of this on new parents learning their child has Down syndrome, or schoolchildren who will soon have a new classmate with an intellectual disability. The language we choose to use impacts and reflects the way we think about others. The popularity of this movie, both in theatres and the likely holiday DVD release, will doubtless cause yet another resurgence in derogatory use of this outdated and often hateful term. Out of respect for the families and individuals with intellectual disabilities that you know, consider not supporting this movie.
For more information please see the following resources:

madss_tropic thunder response
blueberryshoes.com/psa
www.r-word.org

 
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