Spring Break
'Tropic Thunder' offensive to minorities, disabled
Patrick Hawkins
Issue date: 11/24/08 Section: The Scene
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Advocacy groups for people with disabilities have expressed protest over the popular movie, mostly because of its portrayal of mental/communicative disabilities. A handful of people also showed up to the campus to peacefully show their opposition.
The group was diverse, consisting of faculty, community members, including a school teacher, and students from different majors.
When asked why they were there, the group nominated Cynthia Chambers, an ETSU professor in the special education program, to explain, "It is insensitive to show [the movie] without information."
The group was passing out flyers explaining why some of the material was offensive and listing examples of language that should be avoided.
Representatives of Buctainment, who chose the movie in advance, were making a good effort to be sensitive to the community while still showing it.
"We pick the movies based on what we think people would want," said Steven Sherman, president of Buctainment. "This may or may not change our choice of movies in the future, but it's something we'll start looking at."
Caitlin McCauley, another organizer, said, "I am happy that people are expressing opinions respectfully and as adults."
It was clear by their announcement prior to the movie, as well as their offer to stay afterwards to address any discussions desired, that a great deal of effort went into being sensitive.
As for social commentary, the ideal situation would be to show the offensive material and reasonably discuss it. Referring to "Tropic Thunder" as satire gives it too much credit as the movie was clearly more intended for cheap laughs than introspection, but aside from that, Buctainment should get high marks for their efforts all around.
Michael Stockwell, a freshman biology major, dismissed the controversy saying, "People need to get over it, we're adults and it's just a movie."
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 5
mike
posted 11/24/08 @ 2:10 AM CST
Your kidding right? This movies is a movie about a movie ... and the asinine lengths actors and Hollywood will go to win acclaim and Oscars.
It's a very funny about movie washed up actors making a bad movie, but thoroughly convinced of their own greatness. (Continued…)
Dean
posted 11/24/08 @ 2:23 PM CST
People are offended too easily. As stated above, it is just a movie. As far as movies that are "offensive", well I guess that is in the eye of the beholder. (Continued…)
Scott
posted 11/25/08 @ 7:21 AM CST
"and in my opinion it is not great social commentary, film nor even comedy."
- Patrick Hawkins
So, is this an editorial or a news story? Really, it's not even a news story, it's a MOVIE. (Continued…)
Kori
posted 11/30/08 @ 2:15 PM CST
Okay, so some people were offended. Boo hoo. You know what offends ME? The fact that damn near every movie that has come out in the last few years has been a remake, sequel, prequel, or (and last as well as least) one of those god-forsaken spoof movies, such as disaster movie, epic movie, date movie, and so on. (Continued…)
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