Sometimes I wonder why I let Jerry Lewis bother me so much. I have to admit…To say that he and his telethon “get to me” is an enormous understatement. The mention of his name lands a pit in my stomach. The telethon, with all its begging, pitying, and disrespect for my culture, sends that hot feeling of anger coursing through my veins. But why? Let’s be honest about the host. Jerry Lewis never really succeeded in anything resembling an entertainment career for my generation. He doesn’t present as the most credible individual and he’s a mere spokesperson for an organization that even sometimes has to shudder at his remarks. I’ve seen quite a few interviews where it’s actually unclear whether or not he’s fully coherent. So again, why do I care so much!?
I can’t ignore that his words cut my soul, especially when they involve children with disabilities. I live in a nation that seems to be increasingly aware of the power of words on minorities. Michael Richard’s racial rant on a comedy stage, Mel Gibson’s drunken religious slurs, Don Imus’s offensive radio remarks, and Isaiah Washington’s homophobic statements to his colleague…they all grabbed our media’s attention. These events got people talking! Some discussed what effect words can have on the people represented by derogatory words. Others felt like these public figures were treated unfairly because their words were taken out of context or a private moment had been splashed on the front page of every newspaper in the country. Whatever the response, I felt like America cared. Jerry Lewis has been openly spewing hatred about people with disabilities for years. Unlike these other people, he has never issued even a weak apology for most of the horrible statements he’s made. Worse-Most Americans don’t really seem to care. His words, beliefs, and treatment of people with disabilities aren’t a secret. Many have been audio recorded during heavily publicized interviews. Others have been printed in publications, like Parade, without dispute from Lewis. Still, little response from the general public. I’m left to believe that most Americans accept the mindset of pity, the obsession with cures, and the mindset that people with disabilities will never be adults-only “kids” owned by Jerry and other oppressors.
Discrimination is a hellhound that gnaws at Negroes in every waking moment of their lives to remind them that the lie of their inferiority is accepted as truth in the society dominating them.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
What bothers me much more than anything Jerry Lewis could ever utter, is my fear that some of us will accept his message that we “are less” (in his words). The silent echoes of apathy by so many in our community are concerning. Surrounded by a society that doesn’t seem to take note of our injustices, it’s understandable that some people with disabilities don’t really know what to feel when confronted with the charity model and people like Jerry Lewis. Young people with disabilities need to know that it’s ok to feel insulted. We are tired of our community’s soul being marketed as a fundraiser. We should question why it’s ok to raise money for causes that claim to support us “by any means necessary”. For those involved in the disability community, this issue doesn’t really offer the ambivalence “not to be for it or against it” as some have stated. Leaders must make their voices heard, but silence also speaks volumes.
He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
There is something different about this Labor Day for me. It’s not at all “the worst day of the year to be a wheeler” as I’ve thought in the past. I’ve had the privilege to join with others like me who realize that we don’t have to accept demeaning treatment to expect the right to cutting-edge medical treatments or summer camps where children can meet others and become proud of their identity. I’ve realized that the words of many more powerful people than Lewis better capture my feelings and thoughts about hate, oppression, and bigotry that I struggle with every single day. I’ve shifted my focus to the teachings of leaders, like Justin Dart, Marca Bristo, Judy Huemann, Evan Kemp Jr., and so many more who have instilled in me a pride for my culture. Someday I’ll teach my own children what it means to be a person with a disability, not from the ramblings of a loony guy on Labor Day, but from the legacy of our community that by then-will be stronger than ever.
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
on Sep 3rd, 2007 at 4:03 am
[...] « For Sale: My Culture’s Soul [...]
on Sep 3rd, 2007 at 8:51 pm
Pity is a word, like a tastless slow-acting poison, spoken in the shadows of our guilt in an attempt to cast out sorrows. (Mama 07)
From the moment a mother brings a child with a disabiliy into society, judgement begins. So ironic that those who judge have “normal” eyes and cannot see, and working ears that refuse to listen. Now, the voice of a culture’s soul that needs to be heard cries out………and will be noticed…………. It will be nice to begin a life without pity.
Love, your Mama
on Sep 3rd, 2007 at 10:01 pm
[...] post by KaraSwims for Soul [...]
on Sep 4th, 2007 at 1:39 am
Great post , Kara - and thanks for all your work on the carnival for this.
on Sep 4th, 2007 at 10:58 pm
And like Isaiah Washington, Lewis has used his homophobic slurs — on air, during the telethon.
Link to Washington Post article on it, and yet another apology issued: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/04/AR2007090401184.html
on Sep 6th, 2007 at 8:08 pm
Hey, Kara,
You have GOT to read this http://community.disaboom.com/community/timpoindexter/archive/2007/09/04/jerry-lewis-telethon-for-muscular-dystrophy.aspx
Color me scared! Please help me get the word out!
on Oct 25th, 2007 at 9:11 pm
Quite frankly, I pity Jerry Lewis and anyone else who pities disabled people! Pity is the mark of projected fear; it says, “If I was like you, I’d be worthless.” Only people who already have a feeling of worthlessness indulge in pity. I’m tired of indulging pity -let’s celebrate our worthiness instead.
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