A Letter of “Apology”
I have received a number of complaints (that number being zero) about my using the word “retard” in this blog. It is felt that I have unjustly victimized those who have been victimized enough already. I have no defense other than my own small-minded attempt to amuse using shock and awe techniques.
This brings up a serious issue of double standards in our society. Why is it that Leonardo DiCaprio can play a mental defective in the film ‘What’s Up With Gilbert Grape’s Retarded Brother?’ or Rosie O’Donnell can make fun of them in her TV movie ‘My Sister Rides The Short Bus’ and both receive critical acclaim, but if I pretend to be retarded at a party I’m considered “cruel” and “such an asshole”?
I see people making fun of the gays all the time and saying “It’s OK, some of my best friends are gay”, like that gives them comedic license to ridicule those who are different from themselves. Society accepts that. But, you don’t see me putting on black-face and doing a minstrel show explaining it away with “It’s OK, some of my best friends are black” (actually, this is an arguable point, what with my history as a white rapper in the critically acclaimed 1/3 black). Double standards!
Hey, some of my best friends are retards. Well … not literally, but I call them retards a lot, so that should count for something.
The truth of the matter is that I’m afraid of the “mentally challenged”. They always punch me and laugh because they can get away with it. I have yet to meet a gentle, lovable retard. I make jokes out of fear and lack of understanding, ignorance, if you will. I guess you could say that I, myself, am a retard in regards to retards. But don’t say that about me, because words hurt. Any retard can tell you that.
2 years ago