Received this via email today and needless to say CBS shouldn't have aired the comment. I read that CBS is not responsible for the opinions of their contestants but nevertheless, they are responsible for editing and showing what they do. I'm glad someone has brought this to attention even if I don't watch this particular program. I am truly disgusted. I hope this guy ends up having to leave the show and gets fired from what I am told is a PR manager position for the United Autism Foundation. He should be definitely not be working for or anywhere near our children. See Below:
Hi everyone. The new season of Big Brother has begun on CBS. One of the players, Adam, works in public relations and claims to work with autistic children. On last night's show, he was telling the other houseguests about a haircutting place he wanted to start for special needs kids. Sounds great, right? He then said "So all the retards can get it together and get their hair cut". Yes, that's right, he referred to children on the autism spectrum as "retards". When later confronted by another houseguest, Adam was completely unapologetic and, in fact, stated he works with "them", so he can call them whatever he wants. As the parent of a special needs child, one with autism who is not mentally retarded, I cannot put into words how that comment cut through me. To think that someone involved in working with or for our children would laughingly refer to them as retards makes me sick. Even worse than the comment, however, was CBS's decision to air it on television, with no regard to the feelings of people living with autism. It was a decision surely made for ratings and controversy and one they should be made aware was wrong. I've already written to them and if you have a moment and feel some outrage, would ask you to do the same and to pass this message along to anyone else you think would care.
To do it online you can follow this link: http://www.cbs.com/info/user_services/fb_global_form.shtml.
To mail a letter, you can use this address:
CBS Television Network
51 West 52nd Street
New York, NY 10019
And to call you can use this number 212-975-4321
3 comments:
Video of the comment(s) can be seen here. This guy has no businesses working around children with autism.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNwuXRY8X7E
I hope you don't mind but I'm gonna basically copy your post on my blog! I've been thinking about writing such a post since yesterday but things have been crazy busy!
Don't know if this will make the national news, but locally the heat is on for CBS and all those in this mess. Here's a clip from our local news. Now the Attorney General is investigating. There was also a small protest here yesterday.
Here's the clip:
http://cbs4.com/video/?id=50872@wfor.dayport.com
Also, Lowe's has pulled their advertising from Big Brother. Good for them!
Katherine
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