Kid Rock has gotten the attention of the Special Olympics after the Detroit rocker used a hurtful slur when describing his Halloween costume to FOX News host, Jesse Watters.
Rock was a guest on Watters’ show on Friday night, and after the two talked about a number of topics, including the White House ballroom construction, Watters and Rock joked about what they were going as for Halloween.
“What are you going to be for Halloween,” Rock asked Watters. “My whole family is doing ‘Scooby-Doo.’ My son’s going to be Scooby-Doo. I’m Shaggy. So, I’m going to kind of dress like you,” Watters joked.
Rock then put on a surgical mask over his mouth and nose and said, “Guess what I’m going to be?”
“Fauci,” Watters guessed.
“A retard,” rock said as he and Watters laughed simultaneously after his answer.
Loretta Claiborne, the Chief Inspiration Officer for the Special Olympics has written Rock a letter in response to his use of the R-word on FOX News.
“The R-Word deeply demeans and harms people with intellectual disabilities,” she said. “I’m writing to you personally with an urgent request: Please acknowledge the hurt caused and use this moment to stand with us in rejecting that word and the prejudice it represents.”
Claiborne adds that Rock has a huge audience and his words matter.
“You have a powerful voice and a massive platform, and the world is watching. As an artist and cultural figure who influences millions, you can shape conversations and attitudes across this country.”
“Language plays a crucial role in that fight. Words like “retarded” and “retard” have a long, painful history of being used to belittle and dehumanize. When anyone, especially someone in the public eye uses them, it reopens wounds that so many of us have worked so hard to heal.”
Claiborne says the Special Olympics have been working hard over the years to get this word out of people’s vocabularies and replace it with a positive message.
“Through our “Spread the Word” campaign, Special Olympics and Best Buddies have joined hundreds of thousands of advocates around the world to end the casual use of the R-word and replace it with something far more powerful, “respect.” We’ve made great progress, but every public use of that word sets us back and reinforces the stigma we’re trying to overcome.”
Claiborne says she hopes Rock uses this moment to turn things around and has also asked if she can have a conversation with him.
“You have the chance to turn this incident into a statement of strength, to acknowledge the harm, to stand with people with intellectual disabilities, and to help lead the conversation toward greater understanding and respect.”
“I would be honored to speak with you and share more about the movement for inclusion and respect that has changed so many lives, including my own. Together, we can use this moment to build a world where every person is valued and respected.”
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