Tough to Swallow
February 20, 2008 by chantillylace1979
I have debated for several days on whether or not to write about Adam Jasinski’s remarks about autistic children in episode 2 of Big Brother 9 last week.
Hearing someone say (on national tv, no less) that autistic children were “retards” broke my heart and pissed me off. Being that this is a kind blog, I will not blast this guy to pieces and write what I really think of him. I promise to be calm and keep a level head. I don’t wan’t to stoop to his level.
This man supposedly works for an autism foundation. (I say supposedly because there is speculation to whether this foundation actually exists. I do not know if this is correct or not, and I do not want to report any false facts.) I would not want a person like him working with my children. Or any child for that matter. Disabled or not.
Autism Speaks issued a press release concerning the incident.
On the other hand, CBS distanced itself from the remarks, but said it had no plans to pull the plug on the show.
“At times, the houseguests reveal prejudices and other beliefs that we do not condone,” the network said in a statement.
“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 fellow houseguest Sheila.”
The statement continued that it would not have aired Jasinski’s “retards” remark if it had not been criticized by the others.
Now I pose this question…Should those statements from CBS make me feel better?
I already told CBS what I thought of that remark and what I think of that show (can’t stand it!). If you feel inclined, you can do so here.
I don’t watch the show but from what you have said, you are right - I wouldn’t want any person who speaks of people with Autism that way watching my kids, whether mine have Autism or not. People can be so ignorant.
Those comments made me sick too - thanks for posting this!
I’m not only a fan of Big Brother but I recap the show for a TVGuide website. I found Adam’s comments incredibly offensive but I’m not surprised that CBS has done nothing about it. Last season there were derogatory comments made about Jews and they did nothing. It’s all about the ratings for them unfortunately.
Unfortunately, I think Bren is right. Look at all the publicity the show has received from his ignorant remarks. And, also unfortunately, I think there are “levels” of discrimination and some are tolerated more than others. It’s wrong, very wrong.
I do realize that it’s all about ratings and controversy when it comes to “reality tv”. I do not watch the show, but did hear about the comments made about Jews…it bothered me, but not like this comment does. I am not Jewish…but I am the mother of an autistic child.
So yes, I am biased.
I can’t help it.
I have tried to educate as many people as I could in the last 2.5 years on autism. And then someone who works with our autistic children makes a remark like this.
He’s just a very ingnorant person that craves attention. Now he’s getting it. At the expense of children like mine.
One of our state’s barrel racing association raised money each year for autism. It is horrible to think this man works with autistic children.