Does Jennifer Aniston R-Word Controversy Highlight a Problem with Political Correctness?
Jennifer Aniston Said She Played Dress-Up "Like a Retard" on Live TV
Speaking about her Harpers Baazar Barbara Streisand photo shoot with Regis Philbin and Kristin Cruz she was asked how she got in to the mood to "embody" Streisand. Aniston replied "I play dress-up. I do it for a living, like a retard."
The interview went on without incident. The audience chuckled and it appeared as if the whole thing would be overlooked. Wrong.
The backlash has been astounding, and I cannot help but think that political correctness in the country has gone a little overboard.
Don't get me wrong. It is not cool to downgrade those with mental illnesses, or those from different ethnic backgrounds. However, why do we have to walk on eggshells, being careful not to make a slip.
And I am not saying that we shouldn't try to train ourselves to choose our words carefully. There are certain words we shouldn't say like the N-word. We shouldn't call someone with a mental illness the "r-word" because it might hurt their feelings. We should avoid all racial slurs as well.
Growing up, I remember using the r-word quite flippantly. To this day, I probably still slip - just like Jennifer Aniston, and I really don't think that her "slip" deserves so much backlash.
I highly doubt that the actress was trying to downgrade those with mental illnesses. I don't think she was making fun of people, and I don't think she even thought before she spoke. To think that people - even celebrities - craft their every word, trying to make sure that nobody is offended is naïve. I don't think that people should be expected to do so, either.
So has political correctness gotten out of hand in our country? Are we in a situation where we can barely communicate without an onslaught of "politically correct" terms?
Some people have tweeted that they are re-thinking going to see Jennifer Aniston's "The Switch" because of the "r-word" scandal. I think that's a little overboard.
In respect of those who are offended by the "r-word" we should try to reduce the usage of it in our everyday language. However, in respect of those who don't use the word in a rude or disrespectful way, occasional slips should be overlooked.
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Published by Meg G.
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29 Comments
Post a CommentAs many have already stated, the author of this article showed her ignorance in suggesting that cognitive impairment is the same as mental illness. And Aniston has shown her ignorance in demonstrating her lack of vocabulary. It's not about being PC, it's about being sensitive to the feelings of others. Using a term in a pejorative sense is an insult in and of itself. Everyone stop being such star worshipers and hold her accountable. I was pretty certain someone else has scripted her retort to Bill O'Reilley; she simply doesn't possess the vocabulary to have come up with it on her own. In which case she should probably just keep her mouth shut.
maybe if we used the word more often so many people wouldn't be so completely over sensitive about it. For those who deal with mental disabilities on an every day basis... This is an issue YOU have to over come with your OWN inability to handle the Word... get over it and spend more time loving those with the handicap instead of blasting people for using the word in a completely unrelated context.
So if I said I like to listen to rap music "like a n-word", that would be okay because I wasn't calling someone the word or using it to make fun of them.
Right?
I had to go on google and read this article to find out what the r-word meant. Give me a break, she was talking about herself not another person. This world is so out of touch with reality. You have the dreaded N word, now the R word and the F word, give me a break> Pretty soon we will not be able to even speak for fear of offending someone. This is so S-Word, oops, oh well what the hell, STUPID!!!!!
I agree with the person below it is not mental illness it is referring to developmental disabilities and as a mother with a Down syndrome child I am deeply hurt by the carelessness of the author saying "occasional slip ups should be overlooked" WHAT how are people not using it in a disrespectful manner? All I have to say is once you are touched, blessed, or in the presence of someone with a developmental disability you would feel differently. If you knew there was someone in the room with a developmental disability you wouldn't use the word right, so how did Aniston know that there wasn't someone in the audience with one also so for that matter she shouldn't have used the word. We as parents fight hard enough for our kids, it isn't their fault nor ours that they were born this way so why do people think it is ok to put our kids down. Now I know the line "o I didn't mean it that way or I wasn't referring to your daughter. Well then what other way is it ment then hurtful or to make fun
I had no idea what the dreaded R word was either. But, I have to say, being retarded has NOTHING to do with mental illness. Not sure where this person got their info to link the 2. LOL
The author of this article is clueless. First off, developmental disabilities (formally known as mental retardation) ARE NOT a form of mental illness! Hello! Second, would you think it was ok to call someone with a major tan the n word? That isn't right and neither is using the word retard. If Jennifer A. wasn't using it in her daily speech, then she would not have "slipped". As for most of the people commenting here, I'm guessing that you are a lot more interested in being a Jennifer Anniston fan than being kind to people with disabilities. Please think about what you say. I work with children who have disabilities and it hurts their families very much when people say "retard".
The R word, the N word ,the F word... it is all so silly! Too bad people can't see that all the bruhaha and hooplala about "hate speech" is just another gimmick by the media to manipulate popluar opinion and make some $$$$$ ! Why get offended by words or drawings for that matter - everyone who actually has read the Koran or biography of Mohammad knows the "prophet" is a lunatic ( L word) and look how offended his followers get! Do we want to be like the Moslims and kill anyone who doesn't agree with us???
Texas Gal, are you a psychiatrist or what?!? Trying to twist a comment poking fun at oneself does not mean an actress has fallen into narcissism, hedonism! lol Even after a few margaritas, that's a real stretch!
I have never known anyone who has called someone with true disabilities (challenged if we're being PC) a retard. However, I've heard many people poke fun at themselves and sometimes their friends - calling them a retard. It's never meant to insult anyone.
PC has gotten far too correct. We need to lighten up and have a sense of humor again. If I call myself a dork, is there some group that's going to be offended? What about a geek? Come on. Laugh. We have enough problems as a country that we really do need to not sweat the small stuff like retard.
People can't even TALK anymore without offending some group because they were 'politcally incorrect'. This has gotten too ridiculous.