[~Karla~]

***PLEASE NOTE THIS IS IN THE SN SECTION***

I went out to a comedy club last night (for my mums birthday). The R word was used twice and spastic once.

The "joke" that offended me most was a comedian talking about his 4yo son and how when he was leaving home to come to the show, his son said "Have a good day daddy". Then the comedian said "clearly he's ****ing retarded because it's nighttime". I got up and walked out at that point.

Am I just being too sensitive, or is it reasonable to be offended by this? I know that at a comedy club, there's no such thing as politic correctness, but it really grated on me. I'm so used to advocating for my boys and I can't just turn that off as I walk into a venue.

Am I just being too sensitive? Is it worth emailing them about it? Or should I just let it go?

This post has been edited by ~Karla~: 24/04/2012, 11:09 AM

[~nikki~]

I find that allot of people who dont have a family member with a disability or know anyone with a dusability dont find this rude or offensive.

Op I think it's revolting and yes I think you should contact him. Perhaps he may think before he uses the do called jokes again.

I'm with you i dont find it funny at all!

This post has been edited by ~nikki~: 22/04/2012, 01:51 PM

[Amanda_R]

I think you've got every reason to be offended, but I'm not sure writing a letter would do anything. That word, along with others still feature a lot in comedy and elsewhere. Chances are they know not everyone is going to like it, they most likely know it's an inappropriate word to use, but for a lot of comedians they get their laughs from being inappropriate.

Write if you feel you have to, but I wouldn't bother if you think it will get them to reconsider. It's highly unlikely they will (and some probably use it as fuel to do it more). Actually, you might as well write to the venue just to express that you were disappointed they'd book someone like that, but even then I don't think much would come of it. They probably have had much worse than him through. Sending a letter directly to the comedian would be pointless I think.

This post has been edited by Amanda_R: 22/04/2012, 02:01 PM

[Sinister Bonnet]

So we should just shut up and put up, Amanda? I'm really surprised that you came in here to explain stuff to Karla which I am sure she is well aware of and to suggest she does nothing. If we do nothing, then nothing ever changes and the comedians and the people booking them continue to think they are funny.

I'd write the letter to management and to the comedian involved. I would not expect a positive response if any response but at least that way I would know that I had done something to say this is not OK.

[baddmammajamma]

I think a letter to the comedian and his management team would be in line -- I'd be inclined to include something from the "Stop The R Word" campaign:

http://www.r-word.org/

[Amanda_R]

So we should just shut up and put up, Amanda? I'm really surprised that you came in here to explain stuff to Karla which I am sure she is well aware of and to suggest she does nothing. If we do nothing, then nothing ever changes and the comedians and the people booking them continue to think they are funny.

I'd write the letter to management and to the comedian involved. I would not expect a positive response if any response but at least that way I would know that I had done something to say this is not OK.

Not at all, I'm just saying I wouldn't bother because I know it's highly unlikely it would make a difference, and knowing some comedians they do use it as fuel to keep doing it. I did say that she should write if she feels she has to, because I do think that (despite me personally not thinking it would make a difference if I did, so I wouldn't), that things do need to be said. People still do need to be told it's not ok.

Sorry I'm not really explaining it very well. I do think complaints should be made, even though for me personally, I think it can be a bit pointless (in terms of me thinking I could change things in this regard). I guess I'm just trying to say don't expect much if you do, but do it all the same, even though I personally probably wouldn't. Ahh I hope that makes sense.

Karla, F & E and anyone else, my apologies, I didn't mean it to come across like it did. Swirling vortex of crap in my brain at the moment, so all that is coming out is diarrhoea. Sorry, I didn't mean it to sound like I was telling Karla not to do it. She has every right to be offended, and every right to complain. If she feels compelled to complain, then she definitely should.

[baby*girl]

Totally and utterly offensive.

DH and I are very sensitive about it and we have walked out of events, turned off tv and left movies for this reason.

[bluecardigans]

This clip is from the Joan Rivers bio where she was heckled for making a joke about Helen Keller. Her response was pretty shocking. I felt very sad for that father. http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?desktop_uri=%...3TYQk&gl=AU

It is offensive OP. I remember watching Borat at the movies with a friend. I found the scene about tying up disabled people disturbing. I was really offended and my friend could see that. Looking around the theatre though, it was pretty clear that nobody I could see was offended, so I did conclude that as the parent of a disabled child I am more sensitive than the general population.

[ali27]

I think it was very offensive and you should send an email.
Looking back over the last fifty years or so, people have stand up against sexist and racist remarks and changes have occurred in regards to community perceptions of these situations.
Now the community needs to be aware of their attitudes to people with disabilities.

Realistically, it probably won't make a huge difference, but that doesn't mean, it shouldn't be said!

[Sinister Bonnet]

It's all good, Amanda, I understand now more where you are coming from.

Sometimes I write letters and emails to relieve my own angst and just hope I am not p*ssing against the wind forever.