An Open Letter to Justine Sacco

I will not open this letter with 'Dear' because that would imply some courtesy. And I don't care to address you by your first name because that would be too familiar. Quite honestly, I have no desire to be courteous or familiar with you. Even addressing you by Ms. Sacco seems to offer you a respect you are not worthy of.

I'm not the public relations expert you are but when I read your tweet, my jaw dropped. How does someone in public relations insult an entire continent and race of people? The very country you're flying to, no less! I mean, I'm not PR expert but I'm thinking that's a big no no. Because aside from it being incredibly racist and  ignorant - it was simply reckless.

And I may have believed the talk that your twitter account being hacked. 

But then I read about some of your other tweets.

Not only have you tweeted racist insults, you've also used the r-word as a slur. And your tweet about the sex dream…is disgusting. 

Last October I wrote an open letter to Ann Coulter about her use of tweeting the r-word: 

You have hurt millions of children and adults living with any kind of disability. In 140 characters or less, you have sabotaged and diminished every single thing a special needs parent advocates for. You are perpetuating this stereotype that individuals with special needs are stupid, ugly, worthless and less than.

You have done the same. 

I am tired of tweeps like you hiding behind freedom of speech. Yes, our country allows us that right but we also have a responsibility to use that freedom responsibly. 

You are absolutely everything that is wrong in social media. You're the kind of person I have nightmares about. You're the person, I'd never want my special needs son to meet. And you are also the reason why I write, the reason I am his advocate. 

I read that you are a mother. And as a mother, you should be ashamed. Because is this what you are teaching your child? To hate, to ridicule? Are you the example you want your child to follow?  

You've since deleted your twitter account.  But it's too late. Your tweet has been retweeted more than a thousand times, favorited and replied to. The screen shots are out there. Your hate is out there. You have left your digital footprint. And it is ugly.

I don't expect an apology. I think apologies are pointless. There are too many celebrities tweeting and speaking without thinking and apologizing later. And you are not a public figure, you have no fans to beg for forgiveness. 

What I would like you to do - what I would like more people to do - is to think. Think before you speak. Think before your tweet. And if you're going to use social media - use it for social good. Use your 140 characters to tweet a positive message worthy of retweeting.  
Twitter is a powerful tool, it can either make you or break you - use it responsibly.

Will 'Autistic' Replace the R-Word? Not On My Watch It Won't.

Just incase you didn't know...

As a writer, I don’t want to censor anyone’s artistic license. But as a  mother raising a son with autism – I want these insults to stop. In every single form. Read my 7/24/13 post on Parents.com/ToTheMax - Is 'Autistic' the New R-Word?

Drake is the "Most Influential Rapper" in Social Media. Too Bad He Uses His Influence To Insult Individuals with Autism.

I grew up listening to hip-hop. My husband and I still listen to it. We listen to it at home and in the car with our seven-year old son, Norrin.  Living in The Bronx, hip-hop and rap music is part of our culture. The Bronx is the borough where hip-hop and rap was born (sorry Brooklyn…you know it’s true). And as a writer, I am often fascinated by the lyrics, the intricacies of the rhyme and word play.

But when I read about Drake’s new song (featuring J. Cole) “Jodeci (Freestyle)” I was so disappointed. The lyrics are lame, hurtful and unworthy of respect. And definitely not the kind of music I want my son to hear.

To read the rest of the article check out my post on Babble.com: 

"Most Influential Rapper in Social Media Insults Autism Community" 

On July 21st - J.Cole wrote an apology and the song has been removed. You can read the apology HERE

Spread the Word to End the Word

I'm Puerto Rican.  Would you call me Spic?

Probably not.

Would you use any kind of slur to degrade yourself or insult someone or something else?  Chances are if you're a decent human being - you wouldn't. 

So why is it okay to use the word "retard" as an insult?  

March 7, 2012 is officially Spread the Word to End the Word Day  and if "retard" is part of your vocabulary, I urge you to stop & think about what the word implies.  

The Boy is a bright and beautiful kid.  But many of his test scores fall in the Intellectual Disability (formerly "Mentally Retarded") range.  Look at his smile.  Would you call The Boy retarded?      

I won't say any more.  But please take time to watch any (or all) of the videos.  They explain it far better than I can.  Especially the one below by my blog pal Ellen of Love that Max  - Her boy Max is pretty awesome :)