Jessie Flips: About Glee and the R-Word

Glee as Loser is right!

Last night I watched Glee with my family in the playroom in our central house in Old Ottawa South. And in this specific episode Finn Hudson said the R-word and I got so mad and really sad because I looked up to Finn as well as the actor Cory Monteith. He should NOT have said that. That word is a word that is hurtful, mean, rude and most importantly really Offensive to people who have Down syndrome just like me. How could the writers do something like this? I can’t believe they would they script that line. I think the writers should know that this word, the  R word hurts people’s feelings, the R word is a word that is harmful. It discriminates people with Down syndrome and I hate it.

The show is about inclusion, the show is about celebrating who we are even though we’re different.  The show is about diversity and creativity. And then they use the R word. Come on writers!! Can’t you see that people who have Down syndrome are people too, can’t you see that we also have a voice. Can’t you see that we ALL have the right to be included. 

31/21: Jessie Flips About People First Language

This is Jessie's answer to a question from Erin last week about people first language. 

I Am Jessie

Language is what we speak, and we can choose what words we say and we can choose our words wisely. It’s wise NOT to use the “R” word, we probably all know that. And call out other people when they do. That’s hard but important.  Once at my church I had talked about ending the use the the “R” word. In general ,most people in the world say this word in casual conversations, and they don’t realize that it’s hurtful and offensive to other people. Especially all people of all abilities. We need to focus on the word Ability. And Respect.  We need to be careful of what we say and how we say it.

It’s just as important to use people first language. That means that the PERSON comes first. Sometimes people think that if it isn’t rude, then it’s okay. But I would never say I am Downs. I’m not, I’m Jessie! Down syndrome is a part of me, but it is not all of me. Here’s a poem  about  how I feel about having Down syndrome. This was long time ago when I was younger. (It was turned into a dance for the DandelionDance Company, we recorded me saying it and my cousin wrote the music for it) and we performed it all across the country!

You can share it. I’d love you to share it! But please say that it was by me. That I wrote it. So you can share it but say © Jessie Huggett, 2004 and say where you found it (at my mom’s blog, until I start my own). And if you do share it, could you tell me about it?

I AM 

I am 

I am Jessie.

Jessie.

I am beautiful.

I am graceful.

I am enthusiastic.

I am silly.

I am helpful.

I am loving.

I am brave.

I dream.

I dance my emotions.

My heart is filled with love.

I have.

I have Down syndrome.

Something extra.

A chromosome.

Sometimes when people look at me,

I feel that they don't see the real me.

They only see some kid with Down syndrome.

Down syndrome is a big part of me,

but it is not all of me.

It's not all of me.

I love to laugh.

I love to have a good time.

I love to fool around with my friends.

I like writing stories.

I like dancing and singing.

And I love people.

Be happy for who you are in your heart.

That is true!

People with Down syndrome should be allowed in schools.

They should be treated equally--equally in their hearts.

They should be involved in sports, like basketball, football.

They should dance and sing!

Sometimes people do not understand me

at all.

Sometimes I do not fit in.

At school sometimes people treat me badly and 

don't understand me.

They see a girl who has Down syndrome.

They do not see who I really am.

My personal feelings are:

be gentle, do no fight. 

And fight for your rights!

I am Jessie

I have 

I have Down syndrome

I have friends and people who love me.

I have emotions and laughter

and people who love me.

I give my gifts,

I give my beautiful thoughts.

I give my lovely dreams.

Come, share with me:

My dreams,

Your thoughts,

Together

We WILL change the world. 

© Jessie Huggett, 2004

(my mom says she would put an audio link in for the whole piece, if she could figure out how to do it!)

The New R-Word: RESPECT!

Tomorrow, March 7, 2012, is just one of 366 (this year) days you can share your commitment to using and embracing a new R-word: RESPECT. It is also the annual pledge activation day TO SPREAD THE WORD to end the word (R#tard).

Our minister, Christine Johnson (see her blog, The Art of Ministry) joined us at Jessie's PATH last spring, and offered to help her craft a basic speech and to provide her with a venue for speaking (one of her life goals): the pulpit! She invited her to do so as part of a drive to examine our inclusivity at church and in the Sunday school, where we challenged ourselves to look at how committed we are to including everyone of every race, socio-economic status, gender, sexual and gender orientation, ability etc., ... in our ministry and community.

Jessie was delighted to speak out about the R-word, and with a little bit of help from her friend Rebecca (sister to Rachel, daughter of my bestest friend Cathy, and wonderful voice coach and violinist) crafted the following, which she would like me to share here, leading up to this very important day.

Hi. My name is Jessie Huggett, I’m 21, I have Down syndrome—Down syndrome is when you have an extra chromosome and there are lots of things that go with it, including intellectual disability—and I am a member here at Glebe St. James.

I believe that words have the power to hurt and to heal. Here are some healing words I like: Gifted, creative, love, inclusion, forgiveness, friend, power, belonging and equality.

As for words that hurt, there is one word in particular I really do not like. I have a really hard time saying this word because it is really hurtful. The word is “r#tard” or “r#tarded.”

This word, the R-word, has the power to hurt people with disabilities just like me. It makes us feel as if we don’t matter, but the fact is we do matter. Because we have a voice and we need to be heard.

Most people in the community or in society don’t usually say this word deliberately intending to hurt your feelings—they use it in casual conversations. But it DOES hurt.

I encourage you to stop using the R-word. I also encourage you to spread the word to end the word. Let other people know that it is an offensive word and they shouldn’t use it.

At the end of the service we will have computers all set up so you can join the thousands of others around the world who have pledged not to use the R-word. Instead, use words that promote respect, acceptance and inclusion. Thank you.

When the service was over, congregants and visitors went for coffee and to pledge. I was never so proud of a community! So, if you yourself have not pledged, go right now to http://www.r-word.org/  and do so!