Special Olympians - The Dignity of Every Life
By now you've likely heard about President Obama's gaffe on the Jay Leno show, comparing Obama's bowling performance to the Special Olympics. Though self-depreciating, the comment was insulting to the millions of Americans born with various challenges such as Down Syndrome. Justin Reimer responds with a pointed yet gracious open letter to the President.
My life has been deeply impacted by the life of my son, Elisha who has Down Syndrome. Each day he brings joy to our home and has brought numerous spiritual blessings. Most importantly, Elisha is just as much created in the image of God as the most "normal" or intellectual or educated person on earth, even you Mr. President. He has just as much value in Christ as Abraham Lincoln or any of the historical icons in our history. He is not and should not be the punchline of a joke by the man who holds the highest position in the world.Read the whole thing.
Comments
I agree with Mr. Reimer's general appeal to Mr. Obama to reconsider his radical anti-life policies and attitudes, but I wonder if we're being just a bit too sensitive about the president's comment on Leno. I think there's too much political correctness in our culture which is having an unwarranted chilling effect on our speech, and this has not done good things for those of us who want to use language properly to convey the gospel. Perhaps Mr. Obama could have chosen a better reference for his bowling ineptitude, but I still wonder whether we should be able to laugh at ourselves a little more and let some things roll off us.
Posted by: Michael Duenes | March 23, 2009 06:58 PM
There is that old saying, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." That is not true, I have seen many people hurt deeply by thoughtless words.
I agree that political correctness is running amok, but that does not lessen the need for us to carefully think through what we say and how we say it. I remember back in the 60's when certain jokes were widespread, jokes such as "spastic" jokes - shamefully, I participated in some of them.
"Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."
Posted by: Doug Richards | March 24, 2009 08:37 AM