Autism Group Demands Apology From CBS Over "Retards" Remark On "Big Brother"

NEW YORK -- A national autism advocacy group is demanding an apology from CBS over a disparaging remark a contestant on the reality show "Big Brother" made about people with the disorder.

John Gilmore, executive director of Autism United, said Monday that his group has been trying to speak with CBS executives since last week's broadcast.

On that episode, a contestant named Adam, who claims to work for an autism foundation, said he would spend his winnings on a hair salon for people with developmental disabilities "so retards can get it together and get their hair done."

His partner, Sheila, told him: "Don't call them that."

Adam responded: "Disabled kids. I can call them whatever I want. I work with them all day, OK?"

Watch:

The show's Web site describes him as a 29-year-old public relations manager from Delray Beach, Fla.

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There was no immediate response Monday to a call seeking comment from CBS.

"Big Brother" also has been condemned for contestants' remarks on incest, race, ethnicity and sexual orientation. Some contestants have been removed following incidents that were deemed violent or racist.

The premise of the show is that contestants _ or "houseguests" _ are isolated from the outside world while under constant surveillance. Once a week, they vote to evict a member of the group.

When just two people remain, a jury of voted-off contestants picks the "Big Brother" winner of the $500,000 grand prize.

Autism is a complex disorder featuring poor social interaction and communication skills.

___

On the Net:

Autism United: http://www.autismunited.org/

Big Brother: http://www.cbs.com/primetime/bigbrother8/

Comments

[msfiskvletterman]

2/18/08
7:52pm
Alexandria, VA

If you spend time with autistic kids/young people, you will find that they use this word, "retard" themselves because...........
it's kinda like the young black kids who used to use the "n" word a lot. (I say "used to" because I think that's over.)

[msfiskvletterman]

2/18/08
9:37pm
Alexandria, VA

And by the way, autistic people are not necessarily "retarded" but can be quite intelligent.

[AnyonebutHRC]

*sigh*....no, because Autism is a neurological Spectrum Disorder...*not* a mental disorder. Dear God I wish someone would make a decent movie about Autism so people would stop thinking that "Rain Man" accurately depicts the many different levels of Autism.
I'm a single mom of a child with high functioning Autism and I can tell you that he is the exact opposite of a "retard" or any other derrogative word for a person with mental difficulties. I'm also a teacher who sees several children with varying degrees of severity in a mainstream classroom. Your lump definition shows that you have not met many children on the Spectrum just as I have never met you and would therefore not be prejudiced about your height.
I'm offended, but not suprised, and I wouldn't go after CBS because they could not care less about who they offend...just how high controversy makes the ratings go. A far greater penance would be to do a much better movie about Autism that reflects more of the spectrum and educate the public that it is in no way a mental deficiency but a neurological disorder.

[msfiskvletterman]

2/18/08
11:21pm
Alexandria, VA

I think you meant to answer "fantagor" but I'm glad you commented.
My son was diagnosed autistic when he was about 2 and a half--he has grown to be a very intelligent and talented young man.
I'd like to see a movie on the subject also.

[hopemeanstruth]

your missing the point...the guy says he wants to spend his winnings not on himself, but for others with disabilities. Its redic that we would codemn this guy for his vernacular, then praise him for wanting to donate his winnings to to the kids.

[JGatsby]

Who is praising this jerk in any way? He doesn't want to give money to an Autism foundation, he wants to open a hair salon for retards (his words). I find it hard to believe this guy actually works with disabled people. I actually did work in a psych hospital for several years and the last thing I would ever do is use such offensive language. Also, anyone who knows even the first thing about mental health knows that autism and retardation are completely different. CBS should really issue an apology for this whole show and for practically everything they put on the air these days.

[SmellyOne]

I fully understand the hurt that this language can cause, but why call for an "apology" from CBS? What good will that do?

I think apologies only make future infractions easier to commit, because the penalty is only some fake words of regret.

How about using this incident as a learning tool for society and pressure this individual to correct his error?

You can't blame CBS for airing the comment. Why hide people's ignorance?

[CitizenRob]

Is he on crystal? What's with his eyes and his restlessness?

[kellygrrrl]

he seems like a perfect husband for Parasite Hilton. Just make sure to sterilize them both lest they breed.

[hazmaq]

Hey Huff, you all jumped on Hillary's bandwagon to demand David Shuster get fired for his comment about Chelsea.

Let's see how quick you are to demand Matthews get fired for airing a picture of Osama bin Laden with a caption about 'words that matter' comparing him to Obama as a result of another Hillary complaint about his speeches - while your very own Rachel is sitting right there with Pat Buchanan. All three of them proceed to accuse Obama of 'deceit' and plagiraism.

F*** you Huff, if you allow Rachel to continue on as one of your writers.

You're pimping for Hillary does not become you.

[kellygrrrl]

Huff pimping for Hillary? well, that's a new one.

[lhaz]

That was not Rachel. It was Katrina Vandenheuvel.

[GoreyFantod]

1. Rachel Sklar and Rachel Maddow are two different people.

2. Your comment bears no relationship to the original post.

3. #1 + #2 = You not helping your cause one whit.

Thanks for reading.

[wadenelson1]

I pray that God will bless "Adam" with a disabled child the day becomes a parent. Then he will know what hell truly is, and how excruciating it feels when some moron calls your developmentally disabled child, brother, or sister a "retard."

[SmellyOne]

Hmmmmm... praying for an innocent child to become disabled... I understand the anger and desire for "retaliation", but is this really the best use of prayer?

How about praying that Adam becomes a better person and uses his public use of such terrible language for a greater good, you know... redemption.

But then again, who am I to tell people how to pray... ?

[Aslanspal]

Boot this guy off so his reality career does not get him on another reality show like so many characters that keep extending their 15 minutes of fame.