Have you ever noticed how words seem to divorce their original intended meanings?

The “R-word,” or “retard,” is one of many words that has undergone this change, a change that raises questions of ignorance in society today.

The University of Toledo Disability Studies Program will show the film “Tropic Thunder,” along with a follow-up documentary response about the issues of the “R-word.” The screening will take place in Memorial Field House Room 1910 Tuesday, Oct. 27, from 12:45 to 4 p.m.

“Not everyone is aware of this problem,” said Dr. Jim Ferris, Ability Center of Greater Toledo Endowed Chair in Disability Studies, director of the UT Disability Studies Program and associate professor of communication. “As a university, we can’t make people stop its negative usage, but we can try to make people think more carefully. If we can lift a veil and shine some light on this issue, then maybe people will think twice before they speak.”

“Tropic Thunder” is a 2008 comedy directed and produced by Ben Stiller. Containing large amounts of cruel and sexual humor, the movie itself has since sparked national controversy, especially when it comes to the use of the “R-word.”

Upon watching the film, viewers will decide if they think the use of the “R-word” is intended as hate speech, which is defined as speech that attacks or disparages a person or group of people based on their social or ethnic group, or if it is intended to be humorous.

For more information about this free, public event, contact Ferris at 419.530.7245 or e-mail Jim.Ferris@utoledo.edu.

This entry was posted   on  Monday, October 26th, 2009 at  8:46 am and is filed under  Events, UToday. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.   You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.