Powerful New PSA Brands R-Word as Hate Speech

If you're watching Glee tonight, prepare to get your ears singed about ten minutes before the end. The Spread the Word to End the Word campaign will be airing a public-service announcement that pulls no punches, and puts "retard" in the company it belongs -- with hateful words you usually don't hear coming out of your TV set. I'm honored to be able to offer you an early look at the video, and to have provided a statement of support on the campaign's website.

The PSA, titled "Not Acceptable," features Glee costars Lauren Potter and Jane Lynch, in costume as cheerleader Becky and coach Sue Sylvester. But before they come on camera, individuals representing various minority groups appear, saying words that have long been stricken from polite speech and declaring them "not acceptable." Lauren does the same thing for the R-word. One of the most frustrating things for those of us who would like to see the R-word go away is the way even well-meaning people see banning it as an infringement on free speech. If we've managed to get rid of these other nasty slurs without the sky falling, surely we can lose this one as well. Maybe connecting the dots as unflinchingly as this spot does will turn some heads. Sad that we have to use these words to get anybody's attention.

I urge you to go take a look at the video now, especially if you're going to be watching Glee with your child tonight. You may choose not to expose your child to those words, or to have some discussion before and after. Besides Fox and a majority of its cable channels and regional sports networks, the PSA will also be popping up on MTV, USA Network, and Turner networks including TNT, TBS, truTV and CNN. If you know people who just don't get it when it comes to the R-word, don't wait for them to see it on their TVs -- e-mail them the link now. Spread the word to end the word.

What do you think of the PSA? Do you think it goes too far? Will you let your child watch? Share your thoughts in the comments here or on my page dedicated to the video.

_{Photo courtesy Spread the Word to End the Word}