I am writing about the movie "Tropic Thunder," a Dream Works production starring Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr., Jack Black and several other Hollywood actors, that opened in theaters across the nation on Wednesday, Aug. 13.

"Tropic Thunder" has been marketed as a satire about Hollywood actors and the movie industry in general. It is intended to be an adult comedy, with crass jokes and scenes to make moviegoers laugh.

However, I am not laughing.

In "Tropic Thunder," there is a movie-within-the-movie called "Simple Jack ... Once upon a time there was a retard" where Ben Stiller plays a man with an intellectual disability. Both "Tropic Thunder" and "Simple Jack" contain offensive material promoting the idea that a "retard" is funny.

The movie ostracizes a group that commonly faces ridicule and continues to perpetuate negative stereotypes. The film's flagrant use of the word "retard" encourages behavior that degrades a sector of the population already facing many challenges.

Here are some facts about intellectual disabilities:

* According to the World Health Organization, up to three percent of the world's population, almost 200 million people, have intellectual disabilities. It is the largest disability population in the world.

* In many parts of the world, children with intellectual disabilities are warehoused in institutions or allowed to die in infancy.

* Intellectual disability knows no borders, it is present in all countries, communities, races and social classes.

* Using the word "retard" to describe people with intellectual disabilities is hate speech.

The word "retard" is derogatory hate speech that is demeaning, hurtful and discriminatory. I am part of a movement that is devoted to ending the use of the word "retard." The campaign is part of Special Olympics' overall effort to promote inclusion and acceptance of people with intellectual disabilities. It comes at a time when a coalition of 22 national and local disability organizations including Down Syndrome Society of Rhode Island, Rhode Island Developmental Disabilities Council, The Autism Project of Rhode Island, and PAL are speaking out against the prominent use of the word "retard" in this film and the portrayal of persons with intellectual disabilities in a disparaging way. Our mission is clearly stated on the Web site r-word.org.

Our choice of language frames how we think about others. It is time to respect and value people with intellectual disabilities. It is time to accept and welcome them as our friends and neighbors. Let's change the conversation ... stop using the word "retard."

I am asking you to help me in this campaign by boycotting the film "Tropic Thunder" and share my indignation with this hurtful and mean spirited depiction of persons with intellectual disabilities. In so doing, we will eradicate the word from everyday language. The discrimination needs to stop!

Be a fan of dignity, don't say the word "retard."

Michael McGovern

Executive Director

Special Olympics Rhode Island