Thaindian News

By Gina Gomez
Aug 21, (THAINDIAN NEWS) “The Good Girl” actress Jennifer Aniston was promoting her movie “The Switch” on American chat show “Live With Regis and Kelly”. The former “Friends” actress did not know that the publicity tour would land her in such controversy. The actress has been severely criticized by disability groups after using R word in reference to a recent photo shoot in which she posed as Barbra Streisand.

The hosts of the show asked her a question about her “Harper’s Bazaar” photo shoot and the actress replied jokingly where she said that she dresses up for her living like a “retard”. The use of the word “retard” offended and infuriated many international organization for people who have physical and intellectual disability. The Special Olympics and the advocacy group The Arc each expressed their displeasure with the actress’ choice of word. The representative of Special Olympics said that it is always disappointing when the “R-word” is used and especially from someone who is influential to the society like Jennifer Aniston. The representative also mentioned that the use of R word “dehumanises” people and increases painful “stereotypes” that are a great source of suffering and disgrace to the society.

Peter Berns, chief executive officer of The Arc, a non-profit group supporting those with intellectual and developmental disabilities strongly criticized Jennifer Aniston’s comment saying that the use of the word was “offensive” and “inappropriate”. The CEO also added that someone in her position should have known it better and the actress has used the language that is offensive to a large segment of the population in US. According to him, every time a disabled person hears the word, it reminds them of all the unfair treatment and “oppression” they have experienced in their lives.