Offensive
February 20, 2008 by Kristina Chew, PhD
Filed under Health
CBS says that Big Brother contestant Adam Jasinski referring to autistic children as “retards” last week on the show is “offensive,” according to K-Lite FM:
CBS says the reason the remark was left in the broadcast was because Jasinski’s housemate Sheila reacted immediately with “shock and condemnation” on screen. During the broadcast, Jasinski defended himself by pointing his alleged work with the United Autism Foundation, saying, “I can call them whatever I want, OK? I bust my ass to help these special-needs children!”
The president of the United Autism Foundation, which Jasinski is apparently an employee of, said that his’s remarks were “irresponsible, misleading and unprofessional,” as reported in today’s New York Daily News.
‘Nough said, I think.
I believe someone may have already pointed this out when this issue was first brought to light, but there is a silver lining: his one sentence raised awareness towards autism and definitely polarized anyone who watched this episode. I think we know what is in Adam’s future…
What a pillock!
I can’t believe this guy was the SPOKESPERSON for an autism foundation. We definitely do not need someone like him to speak for an autistic charity and let alone for autistic people. I’m glad the foundation denounced his words, but I still wonder how they did not know Adam’s attitudes and opinions towards autistic people prior to the TV show.
Amazingly stupid comment.
I think they were right to leave it in, though, because of the responses. They make it clear that that kind of thing is unacceptable, and that’s a message we need more of.
I thought it was right to leave the remark on the show, and hope that CBS responds more.
“I can call them whatever I want…”? Hardly. I’m glad the statement opened up dialogue, but it doesn’t sound like he learned from his mistake.
I just hope his bad attitude gets him removed from the position, and that the removal gets as much publicity as the original offense.
I am in agreement that we don’t need more foulmouthed or dirt talking ‘advocates’ working for any respectable group.