Did DreamWorks seek counsel from disability groups when making that scene in the film?
A. DreamWorks did not seek input or counsel when creating the “Simple Jack” scene of the film. Studios will often seek counsel on sensitive topics from focus groups. It was clear that the producers did not see an issue with the demeaning content of this scene. Q. Are you calling for a boycott of the “Tropic Thunder” movie? A. We are calling the public to take action and let the Hollywood community know, especially DreamWorks and Paramount, that this type of language is defamatory and hateful, perpetuating negative stereotypes and the dehumanizing and devaluing of people with intellectual disabilities. Hollywood must take responsibility and accept a role in helping to eradicate this word from our language – NOT promote its use. Q. Some people will argue that retard is a word that can be found in the dictionary and there is freedom of speech issue at stake. What do you say to them? A. It is not the word that we object to. It is the use of the word in today’s culture in a demeaning and ne
