Why do some find it funny to joke about mental retardation??

[Stingray19]

I've never understood where people get the funny in this. I actually got into a fight one day at school ovr someone making jokes about the Down Syndrome kids downstairs....it infuriates me.

I came across this video, apparently its a series or something....anyway, I dont think people that do these types of things should be considered serious, good members of society.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxODBppps18

Agree??

[gold_member_321]

It isn't like they're outright bashing people with mental handicaps.

I've been following this series since the beginning and I really don't see anything wrong with it.

[Tommygunn]

Yeah, that and cutters. I have friends who make fun of both people.

If they make fun of mentally handicapped people I just flat out call em "douches" and tell em to stop. I got in the habit of saying "that's retarded", I've since stopped because it's not right.

If they make "cutter" jokes, I always tell em to look up 'self mutilation' with safe search on google images. They soon stop after doing that.

[iamlowsound]

My girlfriend`s foster brother has FAS (fetal alcohol syndrome) and he does some really stupid things that are absolutely hilarious. Do we make fun of him? No, but we do retell all of the stupid and funny things that he says and does. There is a difference between making fun of someone and laughing at someone.

lowsound

[P. Aaron]

Having a special needs child, I don't make fun of others.

I never did...it's a stupid thing to do.

[RayG]

My wife is a special ed teacher's aide. We sometimes laugh and cry with her students, but always feel the love that only someone special can give.

Regards-------

[your idol]

i work with a kid i have to smack upside the head daily about once daily for jokes about mental handicaps and illnesses. youd figure hed learn after a while..talk about a real deficiency.

[6jase5]

My wife teaches special ed Kinder-1st as well and I've taught sports for special olympics.

Making fun of anyone with Downs, special needs, autism, etc. around either of us is just not a good idea. I get enfuriated.

Yes, there is a vast difference in laughing at something done by someone with special needs,and laughing at them disrespectfully. Crossing that line makes you a useless person in my book and makes me wonder why your parents screwed up so badly.

[TrooperFarva]

Jokes are jokes, they can be about anything, I don't care. But to make fun of somebody directly, for some kind of handicap, is pretty low.

[mike costelow]

Having a son who is profoundly mentally retarded I might be a little oversensative when i hear people throwing that word around in a disrespectful way.Through my son we have encountered the best and the worst in people amoung us(more good than bad by far!)It is very important to defend the defenseless in this harsh world,not just the mentally retarded but all of our brothers and sisters in true need.Some people don't seem to realize that no one gets through this life unscathed, We all should hope for and count on the mercy and kindness of others at some point in our life when we need it. Our son is a source of pure joy to my family and all of those who know him and work with him,he has truely enriched alot of lives.

[mike costelow]

....I agree,jokes are jokes and alot of things he does are funny,you cant be too thin skinned, but, there is a line between funny and cruel.

[Jimmy Bones]

I have an autistic step brother, and there were signs while my youngest was in the womb that he'd have special conditions. He turned out ok, but it was a scare.

My step-brother does some dumb stuff, and more often than not it tends to be annoying rather than funny. Even so, I still slip and use 'retarded' as a pejorative, though generally when referring to objects or situations or actions, never directly to people.

[Stumbo]

Mentally ill people get the same crap.

[Number27]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Bones

My step-brother does some dumb stuff, and more often than not it tends to be annoying rather than funny. Even so, I still slip and use 'retarded' as a pejorative, though generally when referring to objects or situations or actions, never directly to people.

sort of like:

"some cop gave me ticket for blocking an empty intersection"
"wow that's retarted"

yea


my guess though as to why people still make fun of mentally handicapped people? because other people get all bent out of shape about it and end up posting threads on how much it bothers them.

[MAJOR METAL]

The older I have gotten the more offensive I have found this. I have been just dumbfounded when I have met Teachers who make fun of their mentally disabled students for their disabilities.

[T-Bird]

Hi.

Originally Posted by Stingray19

I've never understood where people get the funny in this.

Some people need to feel superiority over everyone else, be that a "lower" animal or another human.

Making fun of/at someone or something who's supposedly on a lower ladder of evolution or different in any way, is generally considered funny. IMLE 90% of mainstream comedies draw at least some of their material from that.

Oppression by words is even taught to be more "humane" or "more acceptable" than a physical oppression. "A word is mightier than a sword" and crap like that.

There's one flaw in that logic though IME. The majority of mentally handicapped just don't care. Somehow they're incapable of being sad or infuriated over something that someone says. I'd consider that as a blessing.
Oh, they obviously do get sad and infuriated for different -perhaps illogical to us- reasons, but calling names and joking about them just doesn't seem to sink in.

That leads to another reason people tend to joke about mentally handicapped, because if someone doesn't respond at all, that's considered to be a valid permission to do so.



Is the stuff mentally handicapped persons do, funny?
Yes, majority of it IMHO is.

Would I rent/go to see a movie that makes fun of mentally handicapped?
No.

Do I laugh at the jokes in movies and in everyday life?
Sometimes, perhaps 30% of the time.

Would I crack such jokes?
NEVER.

Regards
Sam

[MIJ-VI]

Originally Posted by MAJOR METAL

The older I have gotten the more offensive I have found this. I have been just dumbfounded when I have met Teachers who make fun of their mentally disabled students for their disabilities.

These teachers have more learning to do.

Perhaps serving as an object of entertainment at EDIT:-->a<-- Mensa meeting would rekindle their compassion... Or not...

[bmc]

My youngest daughter is in third year uni in psychology. Her regular summer job is working in a special needs camp. Incredibly challenging environment and that girl has so much patience and compassion, it makes me beam with pride. This is the community she wants to pursue her future work with. Big hearted gal, she is. She's also working with special needs kids while away at uni as a part time job. She has pictures of "her" kids at home in her room.

My pride and joy.

[Jonyak]

I find it just as offensive as I find people calling thing "gay".

which is to say quite.

[Tommygunn]

That's what I said in my post. What if you said "that's friggin gay!" while with a friend that you didn't know was gay, how would you feel then?