Big Brother Cast Member Fired Over Autism "Retards" Comment

From the New York Post:

"Big Brother" contestant who stirred up a controversy when he called autistic children "retards," has been fired from his job.

But Adam Jasinski, who worked for the United Autism Foundation, doesn't know he's been canned.

He is sequestered in the "Big Brother" house in LA, cut off from contact with the outside world, in keeping with the show's rules.

The foundation announced his firing on its Web site yesterday.

From the United Autism Foundation at uniaf.org:

This is an Official Apology for any and all inappropiate, unprofessional and unacceptable comments made by Adam Jasinski on BIG BROTHER 9, a CBS Reality Show. We deeply apologize for the anger, which has been created by Adam Jasinski on CBS.

The UNITED AUTISM FOUNDATION does not agree with any and all irresponsible comments made by Adam Jasinski about children and adults who have been diagnosed with autism.

AUTISM is one of the fastest growing disorders in the country. Unfortunately, Adam Jasinski made some comments, which are not acceptable and we deeply apologize to all those who are affected by this overseen disorder.

UNIAF is trying to create awareness and help all those who have been diagnosed with autism.
UNIAF does not agree with any personal comments made by Adam Jasinski. Based on those comments Adam Jasinski cannot and will not represent UNIAF since he caused tremendous damage to UNIAF.

Watch the clip where Adam called autistic children "retards" here: Autism Group Demands Apology From CBS Over "Retards" Remark On "Big Brother"

Comments

[CindySue]

You posted: "But Adam Jasinski, who worked for the United Autism Foundation, doesn't know he's been canned.

He is sequestered in the "Big Brother" house in LA, cut off from contact with the outside world, in keeping with the show's rules.

The foundation announced his firing on its Web site yesterday."

~

As much as I also was publicly vocal about, against what was reported to have been said on Big Brother, the firing as is was just plum wrong, too, if it occurred in precisely that manner..

Oy, goodness, but how the Internet has forever changed that precious creature once called a private Life..

Cyber hugs from the Hills..

[Phaedrusnyc]

So it's far more important not to use recently-disliked words ("retarded" was a clinical term fewer than twenty years ago, btw- and we've gon through several other "discredited" ones in rapid succession) than it is to actually, you know, try to help the kids you're talking about? The triumph of semantics over actions is now officially complete. How depressing.
Also depressing that my last post was not considered "appropriate." Let's see if this one makes it through. Whatever happened to dissent?

[Phaedrusnyc]

My apologies- apparently this wasn't supression, but rather this buggy new commenting system. Sorry about the duplicative statements.

[LeftistGuerrilla]

Never heard of this show. I wonder why they wouldn't have edited that out.

[Phaedrusnyc]

So, let me get this straight. Doing good work for kids afflicted with a disorder is less important than what you call them? Even if the word was a perfectly valid clinical term fewer than twenty years ago? Incredible.

[ignorantwillyharper]

Why doesn't CBS go in and jerk his ass out of the house and put him on the street?

[FDRbyGodDemocrat]

Seriously. Is there anyone watching the show who DIDN'T see this coming?

I generally watch some part of BB each season, and this seems to be the most self-obsessed and shallow crew they could scrape up.

[LullaOK]

The issue is not Adam and his poor choice of words…. the issue is RESPECT AND VALUE for those with developmental disabilities. The “r” word is just one of the ways to de-value this population of valuable people. Families who have children, siblings or even loved ones, go day in and day out defending the VALUE of their loved ones. This is wrong. Using the “r” word is only the evidence of the prejudice. When people start giving value where it is due, to ALL INDIVIDUALS, the “r” word will disappear.
Now is the time to respect ALL PEOPLE!
CBS is a part of the problem of continueing to bring prejudice to people with disabilities.
Spread the word....
www.therword.org

[Naithom]

I have a son with Asperger's and I work with autistic kids, so I was very glad to hear that this man will no longer have any contact with them after those remarks.

Bet he has a lot of fun looking for a new job and having to explain why he lost his old one. I suspect he won't be in PR anymore and will, more likely be asking, "Would you like to supersize that?"

[SouthJerseySteve]

I watch BB9--they USED to list Adam as from Florida under the "tagline", but now, it says Cherry Hill, NJ", which is where his family lives. What gives with that?

[MikeDu]

Far be it that any member of the big Brother franchise would come off as a poster boy for mental retardation. Have you ever WATCHED that show? The show that showcased the mysogenist phrase "Bros before Hos" last year? This little dust-up would be the fault of the show's editor, not the contestant. They no doubt regularly leave much nastier bits on the cutting room floor before air time.

[JGatsby]

"Have you ever WATCHED that show?" No. Why do you?

[SouthJerseySteve]

Have you ever seen the "Showtime After Dark" version of the show? The 12-3 am EST segment is soft porn! OMG! The show usually airs during the summer, where 99% of the views are home from school and nothing better to do than watch this-there are some shining moments of drama, if you like "Soap Opera" type shows, but mostly, it's boring and trivial. Maybe I'm getting old but I've always like seeing Survivor and Amazing Race, there's more drama in 5 minutes of those shows than a whole week of BB.

[LoRiseAntlers]

Why are they writing autism and their full name in ALL CAPS?

[lovejoyd]

WHAT A RETARD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[wadenelson1]

I pray that God will "bless" Adam with a developmentally disabled child when he becomes a parent. On that day he will learn what hell truly is, and how excruciating it is when someone calls your developmentally disabled child, brother, or sister a "retard."

[serialcoma]

WTF.... wishing a horrible fate on a disabled child by having "god" condemn him/her to a life with someone who is so screwed up they'll probably never get over their own mental disabilities, prejudices and hatred... good request of "god's" help on that one....

[LeftVetPatriot]

Now, aren't you a sweetheart?

I know God answers prayers for an increase in disabled births every day
and I'm sure He'll have no trouble tagging one for Adam.

I pray that He sends you an enlightening bolt.

[CraigWilloughby]

Actually, my 6 year old autistic son is a wonderful blessing, thank you. If you were going to wish something, wish to God that this individual would develop a conscience.

[Olerist]

maybe Adam can get a job with the HHS, Justice Dept or pharmica litigation teams