RE: Tropic Thunder and Golden Globes

[Guest guest]

-

Have you sent this to Bauer? She might be interested in

putting it on her blog.

www.patriciaebauer.com

From:

DownSyndromeInfoExchange

[mailto:DownSyndromeInfoExchange ] On Behalf Of LifeLine,

Inc.

Sent: Monday, December 15, 2008 2:03 PM

To: downsyndromeinfoexchange ;

lifelineonline

Cc: SpecialChildExchange

Subject: [DownSyndromeInfoExchange] Tropic Thunder and Golden Globes

A friend of mine wrote this letter. He asked that

I share it with my lists hoping someone else wanted to voice their

opinion to those awarding Golden Globes...

Attached is a copy of an article Mike wrote regarding this movie for New

Mobility magazine.

December 14, 2008

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association

646 N. on Blvd.

West Hollywood, CA 90069

Attn: Mahfouz Doss, Chairman, Board of Directors

Dear Board members:

I am writing to express my concern about your recognition of the film ?Tropic

Thunder? by the nomination of two of its actors for awards during this year's

Golden Globes presentation. Unlike the other artistic products that have

been nominated for awards in the many different categories of entertainment

designated by the Association, this film goes beyond the level of distaste to

actually belittle and demean a protected category of American citizens: those

of us who are disabled.

While Mr. Cruise and Mr. Downey, Jr. have exhibited some acting talent during

the production of this film, it is impossible to ignore the content of the

movie and the message of hate toward people with intellectual disabilities

which is proliferated by its recognition by your association. It is my

contention that a movie of this type which instead targeted any other protected

minority group, such as members of a particular religion or ethnic background,

would not have been considered for such awards. Additionally, public outrage

may even have resulted in the production company pulling it from the market

once it became clear to moviegoers what message the movie was spreading.

Ignoring the very nature of the film in order to attract big-name actors to

your awards ceremony is inappropriate and shortsighted.

A column I wrote expressing my concerns about the nature of films that spread

hateful messages that belittle people with disabilities appeared in New

Mobility magazine in October, 2008. I am attaching a copy of the

article in case you would like to increase your understanding about why this

concern exists.

It does not take much effort to make a mistake, but it takes a lot of courage

to admit that mistake. I believe the Golden Globe awards would be tainted

if the visible presence and active voices of the thousands of people with

disabilities in this country who feel that ?Tropic Thunder? was demeaning

should make their presence known outside the awards venue this year.

Hopefully your Board will decide that recognizing any portion of a film that

could be considered ?hate-mongering? is not appropriate, and will withdraw the

Golden Globe nominations for Mr. Cruise and Mr. Downey, Jr.

Thank you in advance for your consideration of my thoughts.

Sincerely,

C.

cc: American Association of People with

Disabilities

New Mobility magazine

Los Angeles

Times

____________________________________________________________

Save $15

on Flowers and Gifts from FTD!

Shop now at www.ftd.com/17007