With great freedom comes great responsibility...

Down Syndrome Indiana would like to sincerely thank John Shaffner, Chairman and CEO of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for not airing the song, “Down Syndrome Girl” from the TV series, “FAMILY GUY” during the Creative Arts Awards on August 21st or during the Emmy Awards on August 29th.

While the withdrawal of the song is in itself is certainly a victory, whenever an issue such as this or Jennifer Anniston’s use of the R –word on Regis and Kelly arises it brings up a much larger issue and that is the issue of our freedom of speech. A common question I am going to hear and have heard many times in response to this issue is “If we as Americans have the right to free speech than don’t we have the right to make and air songs such as this?” Absolutely, the right to free speech gives individuals the right to make and air songs such as this but the answer is that the right to free speech also gives advocates the right to call out lewd or offensive speech and let others know that it portrays a class of people (in this case the largest minority in the country-those with a disability) in a negative and unfair light. To quote Sarah Schleider, Vice President of Marketing and Communications for the National Down Syndrome Society, “When people with Down syndrome are inappropriately referenced, it sustains and perpetuates these low expectations and negative stereotypes, and further impedes the acceptance of people with disabilities in schools, the workplace, and the community. Negative and inaccurate public perceptions are the greatest barriers”, to achieving the inclusion and acceptance of individuals with Down syndrome that we as advocates are striving to reach.

I believe deeply in individual freedoms but to quote a character in the movie Spiderman, “With great freedom comes great responsibility”. Again, thank you to the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for having the good sense and responsibility not to air the song.