Celebrities, "Awareness", and Why Jerry Lewis Shouldn't Win That Award
Published February 22, 2009 @ 01:59AM PT
Actor and comedian Jerry Lewis is set to receive the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at tonight's Oscar awards ceremony. Disability advocates (including Dora and me) have been protesting the choice of Lewis: Here is Dora's post about a petition to protest giving Lewis this award. As Dora wrote, it's Lewis' "perpetuation of pity instead of respect for people with disabilities" in his (in)famous muscular dystrophy telethon that makes the choice of him to receive the Hersholt Award inappropriate. You can read A Test of Wills: Jerry Lewis, Jerry's Orphans, and the Telethon in Ragged Edge about the "stigma against disabled people" reinforced in Lewis' telethon.
Certainly it's not unusual to hear about celebrities using their, well, celebrity to "bring attention to a worthy cause" and grace fundraisers and "evenings out with the stars." And they need not be all of the Jenny McCarthy sort: The likes of Tom Brokaw and Sheri Belafonte are being touted as part of a crew of 36 celebrities who, along with artist Steve Saylor, are to raise money and awareness and "shed light on the disorder," via efforts by Nevada's First Lady Dawn Gibbons and the Nevada Coalition.
But beyond "drawing attention," what do celebrities do for causes? In today's New York Times magazine, Dambisa Moyo is interviewed. A native of Zambia, she is about to publish a book entitled "Dead Aid" in which she attacks " aid to Africa and its recent glamorization by celebrities." Says Moyo about Bono in an interview:
I’ll make a general comment about this whole dependence on “celebrities.” I object to this situation as it is right now where they have inadvertently or manipulatively become the spokespeople for the African continent.
Just as rockstars and others have "inadvertently or manipulatively become the spokespeople for the African continent," it can be argued that various celebrities (some of whom do have children on the autism spectrum) have "inadvertently or manipulatively become the spokespeople" for autism, instead of individuals on the spectrum themselves. Too often, as in the case of Lewis' telethon, individuals with disabilities are portrayed as in need of pity and help---including help representing themselves---and the public is enjoined to show their compassion by providing their credit card number. Often, the stated goal is to "fund research"---certainly a "worthy cause."
There's been so many reports lately about the use of physical restraints and seclusion for students on the autism spectrum and the apparent ignorance of some school districts about how best to respond to students when in distress (tasing is just not an option). School districts everywhere (my own included---Charlie's teacher told me that no one's allowed to order any new supplies) are facing budget cuts: What about talking up ways to help schools create programs for students on the spectrum and provide necessary services like speech therapy, occupational therapy, and adapted physical education? And sufficient staffing, and sufficient and continued training for staff? And don't get me started about the needs of housing, job-training, transportation, and much more for adults with disabilities who need such supports.
Talking about ending restraints and seclusion for students is the furthest thing from "sexy," I'll acknowledge. But surely speaking up to end these is truly a humanitarian act, and, indeed, one worthy of an award.
"Awareness" is great, but, unless it's turned into real and actual action that affects real and actual people, it's just a start.
Image from Associated Content.
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Comments (22)
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Author
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Kristina is a Classics professor in Jersey City, New Jersey, a blogger (formerly at AutismVox), a translator (of Virgil), and an advocate every day for her son, Charlie.
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End the Perpetuation of Pity
186 People
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End the Perpetuation of Pity
It's unfortunate but true that "pity" works better in fundraising than "awareness". That being said I think it's a mistake to "reward" it and I never could stand those telethons anyway!
Posted by Toms Mom on 02/22/2009 @ 11:21AM PT
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Jerry Lewis has also had a history of using language that's offensive to LGBT communities, including dropping the three-letter f-word during his telecast in 2007. It annoys me to no end that he's getting this honor. Argh.
Posted by Michael Jones on 02/22/2009 @ 11:21AM PT
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Argh a couple times over......
Posted by Kristina Chew on 02/22/2009 @ 03:01PM PT
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OMG, does everything have to be a BLTG issue? You already have Sean Penn in the tank calling Pres O "elegant" and wanting to shame those who voted against gay marriage? What more do you want -- and, please, don't call me a homophobe...
Posted by Shadow 2 on 02/22/2009 @ 09:55PM PT
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it's all right with me that concerns about LGBT rights are brought up in numerous contexts.
Posted by Kristina Chew on 02/22/2009 @ 10:04PM PT
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It is a little late, but you can sign the PETITION just click on it in the blog. Probably, too late for much effect as an ACTION on its own.Well heck. I will post it and send it out to 'friends.' They may still do it.
Posted by Lee Dorsey on 02/22/2009 @ 12:46PM PT
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Kristina wonderful post on showing the true side of Jerry. I've always been sickened every-time I'd see this guy with his "telethons" that were insulting let alone seeing him any place else on T.V. or in News/Magazines. He's trying to re-live his 15 mins. of fame. Anyone who sees him or listens to him for a few mins. knows hes a fool and a fake and just a nasty person in general. Lee thanks for starting the Action!!!!
Posted by Andrea M on 02/22/2009 @ 02:53PM PT
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Yes, thanks to Lee for starting the action. I don't think advocacy efforts about this have to end after he gets the award---all the more reason now to keep questioning what's really going on with calls to help "Jerry's kids."
Posted by Kristina Chew on 02/22/2009 @ 03:02PM PT
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I would highly recommend the short documentary "The Kids Are All Right" which features Jerry's Orphans. Kids that were actually exploited by Jerry on the telethon which he refuses to talk to and even attempt to understand their position. Guess now that they are not cute little kids who are easily manipulated and are instead grown adults demanding basic respect he has no use for them.
http://www.thekidsareallright.org/
Posted by S M on 02/22/2009 @ 05:29PM PT
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You know only God knows his heart and how he really feels about it. But as well we have been given free choice. Some times people start things or go along with things to give them self a boost of "feeling godd about something" so when people call in make dontations sometimes its not all for the pity as much as they want self gratifacation that they have done a great "deed" some how.
Sorry in advance but this might take a turn, I have lost my son of a birth defect when he was 4 days old and then on top of that i was a military wife with an abusive husband. I know all about the "pity" and and even the darker side where its "your fault." to top it all off i have been diaginsed with 2 spinal diseases. So i know all about that. Iworked as a CNA when i was in high school and after. In a home like setting called mountain Shadows in escondido Ca. It was a group home for disabled. It is a wonderful place and everyone was so nice. but you had those occational ones that were upi to no good to exploite everyone and what they had. makes me depressed other can treat others that way. I am a strong person who has over come so much in my life and i am oly 30. people come on here and they truly dont care they want an arugment not to learn or help others.
I do agree that lewis might have started to do it sincerly but now it is notr it is all for show and all about money. I did watch that movie "The Kids Are All Right" it sickens me as well. Yes everyone deserves equality, but it is man not "God" who choses. I have a support group online for abused women. its not to sit here and be on a high horse and say oh look at me. its to help and if i can say hun, i know what you are going through or to laugh or cry with them, same here... Jerry could do that if he wanted to it called emotion to help others its not all about money to the rest of us who are not actors! we are real and real people grow up like in that movie. I just wish and pray every day that people will WAKE UP! and not go into all the telathons to make them feel better, it doesnt relly do much but make others angry, cuase it is the wrong reason they are doing it for. i dont know about you all but thats how i feel.
May God Bless you in all you do and hope you have a wonderful night!
Channi
Posted by Channi Doss on 02/23/2009 @ 10:08PM PT
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"No good deed goes unpunished."
- Clare Boothe Luce
With all due respect to those who voice their disapproval of his approach, I would suggest that Mr. Lewis's heart has always been in the right place re: raising money for kids with MD.
And let's not forget that he started this campaign back in the 50's, when enlightenment about how to work with differently-abled people was still a few decades away. By all means, let's work with him and help him get up to date. But I'm inclined to cut him some slack and put his money to good use.
Posted by Ted Nunn on 02/22/2009 @ 07:55PM PT
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But I think it's necessary to stay current with changes in issues and to listen more to those who are self-advocates; am not sure if Lewis has done this.
Posted by Kristina Chew on 02/22/2009 @ 10:10PM PT
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Agreed. So, let's take that approach to help show Mr. Lewis the light. That way we gain a willing ally through mutual respect and understanding.
Posted by Ted Nunn on 02/23/2009 @ 06:16AM PT
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Mutual respect? Jerry Lewis has no respect for anyone. Why cut him slack? He has been exploiting children for years and now tht hey are adults he refuses to speak with them. He has no interest in what Jerry's Orphans have to say about his disgraceful portrayal of the disabled.
I think it is very naive to think that his telethon is for anything other than his ego.
Posted by S M on 02/28/2009 @ 07:47PM PT
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Cutting him some slack or showing him the way is not the same as giving him a humanitarian reward. It's not about how much money he has raised (or shouldn't be). If they want to pat him on the back for raising a lot of money, they should have found some other way.
Posted by Norah vd Stel on 02/23/2009 @ 07:18AM PT
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Ted,
Your comments seem to assume that there haven't been attempts - over *decades* - to show both Lewis and MDA "the light." Especially in the early years, many of those attempts were through appropriate channels and respectful.
MDA's gotten a little better, but Lewis reacts to any criticism (not just related to the telethon and disability) with hostility. And MDA is stuck with Lewis as their golden goose, so there is just so far they'll go in the "mutual respect" department.
How bad was it in the early years? Character assaults and legal threats against the spokespersons and founders of "Jerry's Orphans," for starters. There was also a brief attempt to pressure Pres. Bush I to fire EEOC chair Evan Kemp, Jr. (who had a neuromuscular condition) for his public criticisms of the telethon and the stereotypes it promoted.
Please don't assume that all this needs is some calm, straight, and respectful talk. It was tried - repeatedly - and it didn't work.
Posted by Stephen Drake on 02/23/2009 @ 07:59AM PT
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Hey Steve-
Thanks for sharing a little more about the historical attempts to get Mr. Lewis to change his ways. It's too bad that previous attempts to help him change haven't worked, and I can certainly understand the frustration on the part of those who have tried.
I have my doubts that public browbeating and shaming will be any more successful than reason and dialog. I'll keep watching this to see what we might all be able to learn about working with public figures to resolve differences and implement change.
Respectfully,
Ted
Posted by Ted Nunn on 02/23/2009 @ 08:32AM PT
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Hello Stephen Drake!
Jerry Lewis gets on my last nerves with the tone he uses towards people with disabilities. Pity is not showing people the respect and honour and compassion they need.
So cutting him some slack is a bit difficult for me, he really irritates me.
Posted by Shondolyn (Synesthesia) Gibson on 02/23/2009 @ 08:56AM PT
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We ought also to keep in mind those who are bestowing the award-----perhaps there's a need for them to re-examine what they would like it to represent, too.
Posted by Kristina Chew on 02/23/2009 @ 10:15AM PT
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Kristina,
You've indentified a major problem. The film industry has a major problem with disability - both in terms of portrayals and in terms of accessiblity.
Back in 2005, the Oscar voters - by an astounding coincidence - decided the best two motion pictures both involved the killing of people with disabilities (by request).
We referred to it as "Kill the Cripples" night at the Oscars:
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Feb. 28, 2005 -- At last night's Academy Awards ceremonies, Clint Eastwood's Million Dollar Baby swept the awards, winning for Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Director and, finally, Best Picture. Alejandro Amenabar's The Sea Inside was voted Best Foreign Film. The message from the Motion Picture Academy voters? the best "cripple" is a dead "cripple." Both films centered on sympathetic portrayals of the killing of quadriplegics. "This is a clear statement on the Hollywood industry's opinion of people with disabilities," says Diane Coleman, president of Not Dead Yet, a national disability rights group opposed to legalization of assisted suicide and euthanasia. "They grudgingly made accessibility changes when Chris Reeve complained about accessibility at the Kodak Theater, where the Oscar event is held. They love us if we're begging for a cure or begging to die. Once we start talking about our rights, we see their interest and sympathy disappear."
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end excerpt from http://www.notdeadyet.org/docs/oscarsPR022805.html
In October, actors with disabilities announced the launching of a new effort, titled I AM PWD, aimed at increasing inclusion and access of people with disabilities in all aspects of the film industry -
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Actors are happy to go out and appear on behalf of a charity. I personally can only think of less than five who have supported social justice for people with disabilities, and then mostly in a low-profile way.
Posted by Stephen Drake on 02/23/2009 @ 10:45AM PT
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Sigourney Weaver, who played an autistic woman in "Snowcake", has been quite supportive of the community.
Posted by Phil Schwarz on 02/27/2009 @ 08:59PM PT
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And the major autism organizations still have "Jerry Lewis envy"... they *want* a golden goose like that and are quite willing to sell pity and fear to generate revenue.
We don't need a Jerry Lewis for autism.
What we need is more and more Kay Redfield Jamisons.
(Jamison is a clinician and researcher in the field of bipolar disorder -- who is bipolar herself.)
Posted by Phil Schwarz on 02/27/2009 @ 08:57PM PT
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