More than 60 protesters were outside Brandywine Regal Cinema on Aug. 13, to protest the use of the word "retard" in Ben Stiller's new action comedy, Tropic Thunder.

The protest, one portion of a campaign by Special Olympics officials, is part of the group's overall effort to promote inclusion and acceptance of people with intellectual disabilities and comes at a time when a coalition of 22 national disability organizations including Special Olympics, National Down Syndrome Society, American Association of People with Disabilities, The ARC of the United States, are speaking out against DreamWorks' new film, Tropic Thunder. The film features the prominent use of the word and portrays people with intellectual disabilities in a disparaging way in a parody of Billy Bob Thornton's turn as a learning-disabled man in the Academy-Award-winning film Sling Blade. 

“It is inexcusable for any film or part of popular culture to continue to perpetuate such a derogatory and insensitive word,” said Special Olympics Chairman Tim Shriver.  “In the case with 'Tropic Thunder' it is not about the studio or actors’ malicious intent, but rather the film’s malicious content.  So we are actively calling on Hollywood to immediately cease the use of the demeaning use of the R-word in all forms of entertainment including film, television and music.”

Although it is often not directed at a person with intellectual disability, the “r-word” is used in a negative fashion, to demean or highlight someone’s lack of ability.

As such, the R-word campaign is one that is aimed to reach people who may not understand the significant dehumanizing and discriminatory impact, as well as the perpetuation of negative stereotypes that result from the continued use of the word. Special Olympics is asking people to show their support for the R-word campaign by going to www.r-word.org and pledge to no longer use the word.

“What we are doing is letting people know that every member of society is important and can bring value,” said Special Olympics athlete and Special Olympics Board Director Loretta Claiborne.  “There are so many ways to include someone with an intellectual disability in our daily lives.  Invite us to community meetings and churches.  Hire us. Say hello to us on the street or in the shopping mall. Include us on the playground. Show the same respect to us as you would your friends and neighbors.  Changing your behavior is something you can control and it is something you can do today.”

The R-Word campaign reflects Special Olympics' continuing leadership efforts to educate people about the gifts and talents of people with intellectual disabilities and promote acceptance and inclusion. It is part of Special Olympics' overall Be a fanTM public awareness campaign that highlights the commonality of all people and the values that we all share and admire — acceptance, dignity, joy, determination, and courage among others. The R-Word campaign supports other Special Olympics educational initiatives: SO Get Into It curriculum, a school based curriculum for K-12 grades; Unified Sports, a sport program for people with and without disability; and a new National Youth Activation Project — “Project Unify.” 

For more information on the protest, call 302-740-1033.