Now Tracy Morgan Thinks It's OK to Joke About Special Needs Kids

on June 29, 2011 at 5:49 PM

Tracy Morgan really needs a newer, fancier shovel because he keeps digging himself deeper and deeper. Ready to be outraged? On the heels of his anti-gay "comic" spree, Tracy's on to, er, against a new group of people: Mentally disabled children and their mothers. He goes as far as to use the word retarded.

I wanted to forgive him the first time, but now he has gone too far and disgraces moms and children. Prepare yourself ... these are the disgusting things he said during his stand-up routine ...

The 30 Rock star warned his audience against "messing with women who have retarded kids" because "them young retarded males is strong. They're strong like chimps." And in case you were wondering, no, the audience didn't laugh; they groaned.

What is wrong with this guy? Did he not learn his lesson last time? And, sidebar, this isn't even remotely funny! In 30 Rock, Tracy Morgan is funny! (Guess we have Tina to thank for that.) If you're going to toe the line/push the envelope as a comedian, at least make sure your controversy will garner some laughs. I mean, offensiveness aside, this is just plain dumb.

And if Morgan is trying to be edgy in his comedy, at least find someone else to pick on. Moms do more in one month of their lives than Morgan will ever do in all of his. Especially special needs moms. Like most moms, they're the most giving, selfless, patient people, and for Morgan to stoop this low is just plain mean. In fact, it's bullying.

This "bit" may have been funny to Tracy, but it's extremely hurtful to children with disabilities -- and the parents who care for them on a daily basis. Imagine what it would be like to be made fun of by a public figure. Imagine what it would be like to be ridiculed about something that's already a sensitive topic to you. Something like this -- these stupid, little comments that Tracy probably wrote in two minutes and didn't think twice about -- can really have a profound effect on someone. It's not funny being the butt of someone's joke like this. Shame on Tracy Morgan. After all the crap he caught for his homophobic comments, I would have thought he would have known better. And he should have known better before that.

I'm guessing the actor doesn't have much experience with mentally disabled children. He is a father -- he should be sensitive to this. It just seems so wrong for a parent -- mother or father -- to make such a cruel, tasteless joke.

What do you think of Tracy Morgan's "jokes"?

Image via david_shankbone/Flickr

About the author Nicole Fabian-Weber

has the world's most gorgeous dog. It's a fact.

Filed Under: developmental delays, in the news

Comments (11)

PonyChaser

on Jun 29, 2011 at 6:43 PM

I have a couple of responses to this issue in general.

First, you said, "if Morgan is trying to be edgy in his comedy, at least find someone else to pick on". Who do you suggest he pick on? Who (or what groups) is it Politically Correct to "pick on"? I'm not saying that Morgan is right, but neither am I saying that he's wrong. I don't know a whole lot about him, but comedians like to be "edgy", they like to push the envelope. Somebody is going to be offended, which brings me to my next point...

...the children he spoke about likely don't even know who he is, nor do they care. Barring somebody sitting them down and telling them what he said, they would never know. So how are they "hurt"? How are their feelings hurt by something they likely will never hear about. And if their mothers DID sit them down and tell them that some celebrity said something mean about them, why should they internalize it? Unless their parents told them that they should internalize it, of course.

Continued...

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Same with the mothers. Of course we know that the mothers of Special Needs children are saints on Earth. Nobody disputes that. We also know that most children with disabilities are charming, lovable, and have wonderful senses of humor. Why should they not simply look at Morgan with pity?

The absolute worst thing that could happen to someone like Morgan is a lack of publicity and attention... the proverbial crickets chirping. Perhaps that would be the best way to handle this. Ignore him. Don't acknowledge his ignorance, don't write endless stories and blogs about it, don't demand apologies, because all of these allow him to "win. More and more people will Google him, they'll seek out his work through YouTube, they'll buy tickets to his shows, just to see if he's going to drop another bomb. Listen to the advice that your mother gave you when you were a kid: Ignore him, he's a jerk.

CheeksterMum

on Jun 29, 2011 at 6:46 PM

The joke's not very original either albeit in very bad taste.

http://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2010/12/11/12363/c4_repeats_frankies_harvey_gag

Facebook comment from Stephanie Shannon Thompson

on Jun 29, 2011 at 8:19 PM

At least Tracy Morgan is funny I don't remember anyone getting all mad about Carlos Menca catch line "dur da dur" which was all about making fun of retarded people and that guy wasn't even funny. Its called freedom of speech no ones making you watch it or makeing you laugh just let it lay.

Fallaya

on Jun 29, 2011 at 8:28 PM

Family Guy makes fun of mentally disabled people all the time. Guess what? It's just COMEDY. The show also makes fun of blacks too. I don't get offended.

on Jun 29, 2011 at 8:30 PM

So why the fuss about Morgan? If you're going to call him out, call out everyone who makes fun of other people.

billsfan1104

on Jun 29, 2011 at 10:03 PM

for once I agree with Fallaya. If you are going to get upset because tracy Morgan does it, then you need to get upset with everyone else too.

Happypancake

on Jun 29, 2011 at 10:10 PM

Lisa Lampanelli.... that's all I have to say.

Facebook comment from Tori Walker Garrett

on Jun 30, 2011 at 12:44 PM

Geez, get a sense of humor. If you don't like his, then don't watch/listen to him. FREE SPEECH. And just for the record, I am a single mother of a teenage son with Down Syndrome. And I laughed my ass off.