A couple of nights ago President Obama was on Leno and made a remark about his bowling game, stating “It’s like the Special Olympics or something”. I’m horrified and I’m still angry. Some people will say I’m too sensitive. I don’t think I am but I also don’t care if people think I am. I know I’m not alone. So. An article containing my thoughts on the matter and a little message for the President was published on NewJerseyMomsBlog.com this morning. It’s titled “An Apology Isn’t Enough“. I wrote it yesterday afternoon and had hoped to have it in time for World Down Syndrome Day but I waited until the last minute to submit it. Check it out, and feel free to leave a comment on it with your thoughts.
THAT SITE IS NO LONGER ACTIVE SO I AM PASTING THE CONTENT OF THE POST HERE.
Prior to the election I was never completely bowled over by either candidate. We’d never had an African American in the White House and we’d never had a woman in such a high elected office. Nevertheless, I’d decided no matter which candidate got elected the White House would be more diverse and a better place for it, as would our nation and our children. I somehow thought society would benefit from having either one in office. After all, one candidate was an African American and one candidate was a woman with a child with Down Syndrome. What two candidates could better understand prejudice and challenge? As such, when Barack Obama was elected as the President, I accepted it and didn’t give it much further thought. Until today.
Today is World Down Syndrome Day, and the 50th anniversary of the publishing of Professor Jerome Lejeune’s work documenting the extra copy of the 21st chromosome that causes Down Syndrome. My nine year old son has Down Syndrome. In many ways he’s a “typical” child. I thought the days of my being shocked by other people’s ignorance and total disregard for other people’s feelings had past. Until this week. Two nights ago, when asked about his bowling game, President Barack Obama told Jay Leno “It’s like the Special Olympics or something”. It’s been two days now and I’m still absolutely amazed this came from the mouth of our President.
Words can have different meanings to different people. Words have amazing power. They are able to educate, cause pleasure and cause pain. I believe that people should always think before they speak. Especially when they’re in the public eye. Consider the response of then Senator Barack Obama to Don Imus’ racial remark back in 2007. “The comments of Don Imus were divisive, hurtful and offensive to Americans of all backgrounds. With a public platform, comes a trust. As far as I’m concerned, he violated that trust.” Ummm, hello Mr. President? Back at ya.
I understand from reading news articles today that the President had called Special Olympics Chairman Timothy Shriver to apologize before the Leno show even aired. No mention of an offical apology on President Obama’s blog, where he had promoted his upcoming Leno appearance. I think the President needs to address the issue personally in order to earn the trust back, and to educate and lead the people. I’m offended, hurt and angry as hell. It hurt me to hear the President say what he said as much as it hurt me to hear people misuse the word retarded. My son participated in the Special Olympics Young Athlete program and is now eligible for the Special Olympics and I take the remark very personally. And yet I hope the hurt isn’t in vain, that somehow something good can come from all of this.
President Obama. In a bizarre way it seems fitting that I am writing this today, World Down Syndrome Day. I, and many others, will remember this and where you go from here come the next election. People just like those I found on 5 Minutes For Special Needs writing about their families and World Down Syndrome Day. You have the power to make a difference. Help families overcome the ignorance. Help us get funding into research, advocacy and education. Help society learn and move forward. Help our children.
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Get over yourself (ask your hubby).
Just what every blogger hopes for! Some jerk to leave a comment of no value and not even leave their real name!
Miss Independent – I am replying because you left your email address so you must have wanted me to reply. The saying is true. Opinions are like assholes, everyone has one. You are entitled to yours and I have no problem with that. Why not leave a comment of value containing at least your reasoning that I should “get over myself”. That’s how conversation works you know. I won’t allow you to turn this into a pissing match, because this is MY bowl of corn flakes you’re pissing in. I’m happy to continue the conversation if you can write something of value for me in a civilized manner instead of flaming comments on my post. Short of that you’ll be deleted. I mentioned your comment to hubby. His reply was “f*&$ her and delete her”. That’s actually not quite all he said but you really don’t need to hear the rest. Thanks for suggesting I include him, he appreciates it too!
In addition, someone who claims to have experienced prejudice and stereotypes throughout life, and has written about them in great detail, should be more sensitive and refined from life’s lessons—especially since he used them to call for the firing of Don Imus, after the shock jock made a racial remark.
Obama said, “but I would also say that there’s nobody on my staff who would still be working for me if they made a comment like that about anybody of any ethnic group. And I would hope that NBC ends up having that same attitude.”
“He didn’t just cross the line,” Obama said. “He fed into some of the worst stereotypes that my two young daughters are having to deal with today in America. The notions that as young African-American women — who I hope will be athletes — that that somehow makes them less beautiful or less important. It was a degrading comment. It’s one that I’m not interested in supporting.”
“What we’ve been seeing around this country is this constant ratcheting up of a coarsening of the culture that all of have to think about,” Obama said.
Obama continued, “Insults, humor that degrades women, humor that is based in racism and racial stereotypes isn’t fun.”
“And the notion that somehow it’s cute or amusing, or a useful diversion, I think, is something that all of us have to recognize is just not the case. We all have First Amendment rights. And I am a constitutional lawyer and strongly believe in free speech, but as a culture, we really have to do some soul-searching to think about what kind of toxic information are we feeding our kids,” he concluded.
Though every major presidential candidate has decried the racist remarks, Obama is the first one to say Imus should lose his job for them.¹
Therefore, the lack of reaction from Obama’s remarks suggest Americans have a set a rules for race, class and gender: If you touch them you will pay.
And another set of rules for individuals that have a mental or physical disability: If you touch them, it’s ok if you apologize. Oh, and by the way, it’s okay to laugh at the jokes that come at the expense of the latter.
Obama claimed he was going to have the world think ‘highly’ of America. Will this joke help?
For someone who spoke of equality as a creed. Does this joke match that philosophy?
For someone that said he would stand for all people. Does this stand up for those that participate in the Special Olympics?
The fact is Obama claimed a higher standard. He resides in an office that requires a higher standard. He resides in a country that demands a higher standard.
To much is given, much is required.
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