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Exclusive: Adam Jasinski discusses ‘Big Brother 9,’ “retards” comment

Excerpt from Reality TV World:

Exclusive: Adam Jasinski discusses ‘Big Brother 9,’ “retards” comment
By Christopher Rocchio, 04/28/2008

http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/exclusive-adam-jasinski-dishes-on-big-brother-win-retards-comment-7012.php

Reality TV World: I’m assuming you’ve already been made aware of this since you left the house last night, but that comment sparked a strong reaction outside the house. What’s your reaction been to learning of all the viewer complaints, some autism organizations like Autism United calling for the show’s cancellation and United Autism distancing itself from you?

Adam: I didn’t hear much about it. I just got out of the house yesterday. But I heard there was a HUGE response to it. But it’s not my person to do anything like that. For people to even think that I would be talking bad or putting down — I don’t even understand how it got to such a level.

Reality TV World: What would you say to those critical of you for calling children with autism “retards?” Are you apologetic?

Adam: Do I apologize? Yes I apologize! I mean it had to be a Freudian slip because that word’s usually never in my vocabulary — especially with the job I was doing, and ultimate, it did cost me my position.

Reality TV World: Okay, so the comment cost you your position with United Autism?

Adam: I’m not sure about that right now. I don’t know what’s going on with that, but that thought ran through my mind. That’s why I brought the topic up, I don’t know. But just hearing now all this impact that it could have had, obviously you have to question that yourself. But no, I don’t know what my position is right now.

Reality TV World: In light of what you’ve learned since last night, do you still plan to stand by your pledge to donate $100,000 of your $500,000 winnings to United Autism?

Adam: Would I do it right now? Yes. Eventually I would like to sit down with the families in the foundation and see what can go about. It’s a huge tax break, so I have to figure out what I feel. Is it worth it for me to give up the money? Of course I’m going to give some of the money to charity. Of course I’m going to follow through with my word. The matter of what I’m going to do with that money now, I still have to figure those things out.

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Don’t Say That Word

No, it’s NOT “just a saying”. It’s an insult stemming from prejudice. Using that word in such a way continues that prejudice.

No, it’s NOT “just a joke”. Using it continues the abuse of disabled people by ridiculing and Othering them.

No, people DO care — I’m a person, and I care. I’m not the only one who cares. How else would I take it, impersonally?

“Don’t say that word. It still hurts. I don’t like it. STOP.”

http://qw88nb88.wordpress.com/2008/04/16/dont-say-that-word/

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Why It Hurts

From “Life With My Special K’s” Blog

“The “R” word will NOT be used in our household as a way of degrading oneself or someone else. We are educating our children now, in hopes that they will educate their friends… so many kids today STILL use this word in the wrong way. Kids who will one day go to school with Kennedy are hearing it right now from their parents. They’re passing down prejudice, whether they mean to or not. This friend in California is showing that it’s ok to make fun of people with Down syndrome… whether he realizes it or not. And it’s NOT ok. It’s just not.”

http://myspecialks.blogspot.com/2008/03/why-it-hurts.html

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Student social movement to ban the “R” word

Student social movement to ban the “R” word

By Andrea Gusty, CBS 11 News Reporter
KTVA
Article Last Updated:03/27/2008 12:22:31 AM AKDT

It’s a social movement that may surprise you:

Anchorage students are banding together to encourage people to quit using the word “retarded” in a negative light, by banning the “R” word all together.

Fifty years ago, the word retarded was the clinically accepted term for people with developmental disabilities. Over the years, it has become hurtful and derogatory. Now, some local students want it banned.

Walk the halls of East High and you’re likely to hear that’s retarded, a phrase kids have latched onto to describe something that they don’t like or something they think is stupid or odd.

“I hear it at least 30 times a day–just a ridiculous amount,” said Jose Delreal, Junior at East High.

For many, it’s just another word used in casual conversation. But for people with developmental disabilities, the “R” word is hurtful.

“It makes me kind of sad, if I hear it. I would be feeling sad. I think it needs to completely stop,” said Jonathan Tucker, Student at East High.

Several students agree. That’s why they are joining a national movement to ban it. They say the “R” word is as hateful as the “N” word and other slurs.

“We are all equal, no matter how big, small, smart or fast anyone is. What we are trying to do is show that we are all human beings,” said Alivia Feliciano, Senior at East High.

It’s being called the social movement of this generation, the latest example of student activism. Over the last few years, Anchorage’s kids have become more aware, and more involved with issues of race, violence and discrimination. Most recently, Service High students tackled the issue of race.

“Students are willing to confront those, and really challenge adults, and challenge their peers to not use those things,” said Anchorage School District Superintendent Carol Comeau.

“We’re not naive enough to think that everyone is going to listen, but we do hope it will raise some awareness,” said Delreal.

For these young people, raising awareness is the first step to changing first Anchorage, then the world.

This week, the citywide Student Advisory Board brought a resolution to the school board, in hopes that the curriculum department would develop new electives to educate all kids about the challenges and the strengths of students with disabilities.

VIDEO

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You wanna hang with us? Don’t use the “r” Word

Here is a wonderful example of what happens when someone stands up for what they believe in.   Even if that someone is a kid.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGmuMhwNpyE 

http://www.nocussing.com/

Where is the national spokesperson defending the rights of people with disabilities?  Flip through the channels on the TV or radio,  do a search for ‘retard’ on Google: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=retard

 Look around you.  There are no national spokespeople for us.  There is only ourselves.

We have to support each other in this.  We have to raise those up around us that have children with disabilities but are afraid, or lack confidence.  We have to show them that its okay to stand up and tell someone in the grocery line next to them, “please stop saying retard.  It offends me or it offends someone I know or love.”  Somehow we have to get the people who live with this everyday to stand up and say something.  This is why we call it a grassroots effort.

 Its not about political correctness, its not about being “some people are too sensitive,” its about respect. 

Stand up and make your voice heard!  Together,  joining in one common voice, we are the national spokespeople for educating people that using the “r” word is offensive.

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Lowe’s Pulls Ads From ‘Big Brother’

Lowe’s Pulls Ads From ‘Big Brother’

Feb 22, 2008

-By Kenneth Hein, Brandweek

NEW YORK CBS got a little taste of its own reality. Lowe’s has vowed not to advertise on future episodes of the reality show Big Brother 9 because of a defamatory comment a contestant made about people with autism.On the episode, which aired Feb. 13, Adam Janinski said he hoped to win the competition so he could open a hair salon “so retards can get it together and get their hair done.”When a cast member chastised him, Janinski said, “Disabled kids. I can call them whatever I want. I work with them all day, okay?” Janinski works for the United Autism Foundation of Florida.John Gilmore, executive director of a group called Autism United (which is not affiliated with Janinski’s organization), reached out to CBS demanding an apology following the show’s airing. He also contacted many of the advertisers that appeared during that episode, including Lowe’s, Campbell’s Soup, Claritin, Geico, McDonald’s and Taco Bell.

Lowe’s rep Karen Cobb said, “Once it was brought to our attention, we decided not to advertise [on Big Brother] further.” Cobb added that although the company aired an ad during the Feb. 13 show, it does not routinely advertise on Big Brother. Lowe’s spent more than $400 million in media last year, per Nielsen Monitor-Plus.

“We’re delighted Lowe’s is doing the responsible thing. These companies are very careful about developing their brand image and relationships with their customers,” said Gilmore. “Being associated with Big Brother and the comments made on the show is something most responsible companies should not want to deal with.”

The network declined to respond about specific advertiser issues, but offered this general statement:

“As stated last week, we certainly find the statements made by Adam to be offensive, but believe they were countered by the immediate reaction of shock and condemnation from a fellow houseguest (Sheila). Adam’s remarks would not have been permitted to air unchallenged.

“Big Brother is a reality show about watching a group of people who have no privacy 24/7 — and seeing every moment of their lives. At times, the Houseguests reveal prejudices and other beliefs that we do not condone. Any views or opinions expressed in personal commentary by a Houseguest appearing on Big Brother, either on any live feed from the House or the broadcast, are those of the individual(s) speaking and do not represent the views or opinions of CBS or the producers of the program.”

Message boards, including CBS.com’s, have been abuzz with anger regarding the comment. One post at CBS.com said of Janinski: “As the parent of two children with autism, I’m simply amazed that people are so insensitive…I’m certain that he won’t have his job when he returns to his ‘normal life.'”
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Big Brother Contestant’s Use Of The Word “Retard” Creates Uproar In Special Needs Community

Big Brother Contestant, Adam,  a public relations manager who arranges events, does publicity and is the Sponsorship and Creative Director for an Autism foundation is south Florida sparked an uproar in the special needs community on Wednesday night with his use of the word “Retard”.

While describing his goals to another contestant, he said, “I want to open a hair dressing salon for kids with special needs so the retards will have a place to get their hair fixed.”  Later, he defended his use of the word by saying he “worked with special needs kids all day and could call them what he wanted.”

The Big Brother forum on CBS’s Web site has erupted with outrage over his flippant use and lack of sensitivity over this word,
http://boards.cbs.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?tsn=51&nav=messages&webtag=cbsbigbromb&tid=4

Interestingly this is in direct contrast to CBS’s policy during the November 2007 episode of the Amazing Race where use of the “R” Word was bleeped out.

Is it sweeps week?

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Executive With Autistic Son Made It His Mission to Set Up Employment Opportunity

http://abcnews.go.com/WN/story?id=4272981&page=1

Employees at This Walgreens Distribution Center Are More Able Than Disabled

Executive With Autistic Son Made It His Mission to Set Up Employment Opportunity

Feb. 11, 2008—

At first glance, the Walgreens distribution center in Anderson, S.C., seems ordinary enough. But upon closer inspection, it’s anything but. More than 40 percent of the 700 workers here are disabled.

Walgreens employee Julia Turner has Down’s Syndrome. Derrill Perry, who works right next to her, is mentally retarded. Garrick Tada has autism. Luann Bannister, one of their training supervisors, is in a wheelchair.

“I tell you what I love this job!” Turner exclaimed. “I’m happy, I’m contented, I’ve got people all around me who are the best friends I’ve ever had in the whole world.”

Click here for disability-related information and resources from the federal government.

http://www.startonsuccess.org/  Start on Success is a program that helps high school students with disabilities transition into the workforce.

And Angela Mackey, who recruited most of them, has cerebral palsy.

“I hope that from my work and from this program, I’m showing that disability or not, we all have potential. We all have value,” Mackey said.

Though the job market continues to be a bright spot in an otherwise troubled economy, with the unemployment rate still just 4.7 percent, the national unemployment rate for disabled Americans is more than 44 percent. Almost two decades after the first President Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act into law, disabled Americans continue to face enormous barriers in the workplace. But in this building, abled and disabled workers do many of the same jobs and earn the same pay.

http://www.nod.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Feature.showFeature&FeatureID=1681 Army’s Wounded Warriors (AW2) is a collaboration between the National EmployAbility Partnership and the U.S. Army to ensure that the most severely injured soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are productively engaged in pursuing their careers after they return home from active combat.

Luann Bannister observed, “It seems to be that a lot of corporate America tends to think you need to give someone with a disability an easier job. Everyone here is on equal ground.”

In this building, people with disabilities are not invisible.

Lynn Laughter said, “When you see someone on the street with a disability, everybody avoids that person. Here, we come up and shake your hand. It’s totally different.”

The quiet revolution happening in Anderson is the brainchild of Walgreens executive Randy Lewis, who has a 19-year-old son with autism.

“As a parent, I saw the future and so the question is, given our position, what do we do about it? Maybe we could be an example, maybe we could use our position of leadership to try to change the work environment.”

Lewis admits that the project is “very personal.”

Lewis says the distribution center in Anderson is no less productive than others. In fact, Anderson is more productive. The training and technologies that help disabled workers do their jobs better help all employees do their jobs better, he said.

“People come to me and say, will this work in my environment? Yes, it will. This is not just a good thing to do, the right thing to do. This is better,” Lewis said. “When you walk through this building, there is a sense of purpose. Everybody knows why they’re here. Everybody helps each other. This has transformed the people that work here.”

The program is giving many jobs and financial independence to people  sometimes for the first time in their lives. And Lewis makes it clear that the disabled people are eager and capable.

“This building is not about charity. It’s about opportunity.” he said. “These folks that work out here perform just as well as anybody at their job.”

When asked by ABC News if it felt good to get a paycheck every week, Turner responded, “It sure does. And if anybody needs a big check, come over here and they’ll give it to you.”

But only if you earn it.

Copyright © 2008 ABC News Internet Ventures
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How support grew to ban ‘retarded’ from state books

RICHMOND – Erin Thompson lives with Down syndrome, but she refuses to use the “R” word. She and others want the state of Virginia to follow suit.

Legislation is moving through the General Assembly to remove the phrase “mentally retarded” from thousands of pages of state code.

The new phrase would be “persons with intellectual disabilities.”

http://www.dailypress.com/news/dp-news_language_0122jan22,0,2475393.story?coll=sns-travel-headlines

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