Sassy Hollywood actress Jennifer Aniston isn’t making headlines for the right reasons. Her joking statement of calling herself a retard on national US television has drawn a lot of flak, especially from many international groups fighting for the rights and wellness for the disabled.
The former wife of Brad Pitt used the word on the Live with Regis and Kelly show while saying, “Yes, I play dress up! I do it for a living, like a retard!” And the Special Olympics Committee, a global organisation that hosts bi-annual games for sportstars with disabilities, is miffed at Jennifer’s choice of word.“The pervasive use of the R-word, even in an off-the-cuff, self-deprecating manner, dehumanises people with intellectual disabilities and perpetuates painful stereotypes that are a great source of suffering and negative stigma,” an official of the games has been quoted as saying. Meanwhile, taking up the baton of this international uproar against Jennifer is Akshay Kumar — the brand ambassador of Special Olympics Bharat. The Bollywood Khiladi is starting a novel campaign ‘Ban the R Word’ to demand a ban on the usage of the word ‘retard’.
Akki has been deeply pained by the word’s usage. And he will leave no stone unturned to make ‘Ban the R Word’ sensitise people to be humane while referring to people with disabilities, specially children. Akshay will also root for highlighting the need to accept mentally and physically challenged people as equal society members and recognise and encourage their abilities.
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