Obama apologises for disability insult

Osem · 20-03-2009, 21:51

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7955842.stm

Well as the parent of a disabled child I'm glad he apologised promptly but notice that people tend to be rather more forgiving of insults against the disabled than they are of racist remarks. I'm sure Ron Atkinson would have much appreciated the same level of understanding afforded to Barack....

lucy7 · 20-03-2009, 22:29

Did you find his comment in bad taste, did you get really offended, or was it just a remark that was just silly and slipped out, but no harm or offence was meant by it?

Not baiting you at all here, just a genuine question to one who has a disabled child.

Russ · 20-03-2009, 22:40

It always disappoints me how many people are far happier to assume someone is being something-ist than to give them the benefit of the doubt and put it down to a mere bad choice of words. If a comment is made that could be interpreted as racist, sexist, homophobic etc then the assumption is 'guilty until proven innocent'.

boroboi · 20-03-2009, 22:53

He talks like any average person would, making a witty remark that isn't actually aimed at insulting the "special olympics" or "special people". He gets lambasted for it because he's the president, its as simple as that.

I have a disabled family member and i took no offense to it what so ever, its simply a phrase, not an insult to disabled people. People need to get over it tbh.

lucy7 · 20-03-2009, 22:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ B

It always disappoints me how many people are far happier to assume someone is being something-ist than to give them the benefit of the doubt and put it down to a mere bad choice of words. If a comment is made that could be interpreted as racist, sexist, homophobic etc then the assumption is 'guilty until proven innocent'.

Totally agree, its got to the stage where no one can say anything, type anything, look a certain way, without some poor soul taking an offence that was never intended!

rogerdraig · 20-03-2009, 23:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Osem

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7955842.stm

Well as the parent of a disabled child I'm glad he apologised promptly but notice that people tend to be rather more forgiving of insults against the disabled than they are of racist remarks. I'm sure Ron Atkinson would have much appreciated the same level of understanding afforded to Barack....

disable myself but i saw the interview he was just making fun of himself all this took away from the best bit of the interview when he was asked if it was cool to fly in Airforce 1

loved that bit

Niles Crane · 20-03-2009, 23:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Osem

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7955842.stm

Well as the parent of a disabled child I'm glad he apologised promptly but notice that people tend to be rather more forgiving of insults against the disabled than they are of racist remarks. I'm sure Ron Atkinson would have much appreciated the same level of understanding afforded to Barack....

Yes, just imagine if you were disabled and black.

The most interesting thing about this story is the way you and no doubt many others have turned this into an issue about racism. I doubt you made the same type of comparisons with the endless amount of Bushisms we heard in 8 years, and i'm sure people of such political persuasion have just been dyeing for the slightest incident in order to push this racial agenda.

By the way, secretly and maliciously calling somebody a "****ing lazy thick nigger" is not comparable to this Obama incident and it's ridiculous to think it is. Even the BBC Golliwog incident doesn't come close.

**Maggy** · 21-03-2009, 02:20

Sorry I cannot take exception to that comment at all..I've heard far worse.It was merely a throwaway thoughtless remark and in no way meant to be offensive.

Anyway it's my experience that people are very ready to take offence on behalf of those who have (now how does one phrase this so as not to get up someone's nose) a disabilty..Now then was that offensive?Because there have been phrases like spastic which were in use once but are now deemed to be offensive to use.One constantly has to be very clear what the latest terminology is so as not to give offence and yet I'm sure that those who are afflicted with a disability find our diffidence not to be offensive,just ridiculous, just as those who supposedly assume Muslims will be offended by piggybanks on display in people's home are ridiculous.

And yes I know that the latter is a 'legend' and OTT but it's an example of how far we can be led by those seeking not to offend.

tweetypie/8 · 21-03-2009, 06:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by rogermevans

disable myself but i saw the interview he was just making fun of himself all this took away from the best bit of the interview when he was asked if it was cool to fly in Airforce 1

loved that bit

cracker !!

Osem · 21-03-2009, 09:34

Niles - I rather think you're the one who's made assumptions and turned a post into something it wasn't.

In answer to those who've asked, no I wasn't particularly offended but I'm still glad he apologised. On the other hand I'm certain some disabled people get pretty hacked off by casual remarks like these which are all too common and can be quite hurtful. To what extent remarks like his equate to remarks like those made by Ron Atkinson or those who feel it's OK to call people lazy fat sods is a purely personal matter - I'm sure some people are more offended than others by all sorts of things. The point I was trying to make is that it's possible to offend (inadvertently or otherwise) others in all sorts of ways and perhaps if society was a bit more willing to accept apologies when they're sincerely offered, the world would be a fairer and better place.

Is that clear enough for you now Niles?

soicky · 21-03-2009, 10:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Osem

Niles - I rather think you're the one who's made assumptions and turned a post into something it wasn't.

In answer to those who've asked, no I wasn't particularly offended but I'm still glad he apologised. On the other hand I'm certain some disabled people get pretty hacked off by casual remarks like these which are all too common and can be quite hurtful. To what extent remarks like his equate to remarks like those made by Ron Atkinson or those who feel it's OK to call people lazy fat sods is a purely personal matter - I'm sure some people are more offended than others by all sorts of things. The point I was trying to make is that it's possible to offend (inadvertently or otherwise) others in all sorts of ways and perhaps if society was a bit more willing to accept apologies when they're sincerely offered, the world would be a fairer and better place.

Is that clear enough for you now Niles?

21-03-2009, 18:10

As another disabled person i saw nothing really offensive or hurtful in it and i am not a fan of obama in anyway but seriously some people need to go out and find something to do because this is a massive fuss about absolutely nothing.