Tropic Thunder and Golden Globes

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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 Association646 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

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