Is it time for a Saturday Night Live Boycott?
New York Governor David A. Paterson blasts the TV comedy show Saturday Night Live (SNL) for the recent and ongoing skits about his blindness. The show mocks the Governor’s blindness and repeatedly him as clueless and bumbling. Paterson notes that his portrayal on the show degrades not only him, but also all people with disabilities, creating and perpetuating negative stereotypes and attitudes toward people with disabilities.
Paterson notes that 71% of people who are blind are unemployed, and 90% of people who are Deaf are unemployed, despite outperforming non-disabled individuals educationally. This, the governor says, is evidence that “one of the biggest problems finding work for the disabled are attitudes."
Paterson notes that 71% of people who are blind are unemployed, and 90% of people who are Deaf are unemployed, despite outperforming non-disabled individuals educationally. This, the governor says, is evidence that “one of the biggest problems finding work for the disabled are attitudes."
New York Times columnist Clyde Haberman says SNL is treating Gov. Paterson “as if Mr. Paterson were Mr. Magoo come to life”. Paterson, the former lieutenant governor, took office March 17, 2008 after Eliot Spitzer's ouster due to involvement in prostitution. Gov. Paterson is New York’s first African-American governor, and the second blind individual to serve as a governor anywhere in the US.
SNL has offered no comment, and NBC, which broadcasts SNL, has offered no comment. To see the Governor’s comments about SNL, visit, “Paterson Rips SNL Spoof as Degrading” at http://www.cnycentral.com/news/video.aspx?id=259275
SOURCES:
Gov. Paterson: SNL is Enabling Prejudice Against the Disabled
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/02/gov-paterson-sn.html
A Governor’s Sense of Humor Is Put to a Rigorous Test
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/06/nyregion/06nyc.html?_r=1
New York governor slams 'SNL'
http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2009-02-12-snl-paterson_N.htm
SNL has offered no comment, and NBC, which broadcasts SNL, has offered no comment. To see the Governor’s comments about SNL, visit, “Paterson Rips SNL Spoof as Degrading” at http://www.cnycentral.com/news/video.aspx?id=259275
SOURCES:
Gov. Paterson: SNL is Enabling Prejudice Against the Disabled
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/02/gov-paterson-sn.html
A Governor’s Sense of Humor Is Put to a Rigorous Test
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/06/nyregion/06nyc.html?_r=1
New York governor slams 'SNL'
http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2009-02-12-snl-paterson_N.htm
44 comments:
When people view shows like SNL, where they sneer and mock other people, their perception of what it is like to be that person gets hampered or hazy. It is especially true in this case, where they mock Governor Paterson's blindness and portray him as "clueless and bumbling". The show completely dismisses the fact that he has broken down many barriers in order to get to where he is today and how proud he must be of that. People who have disabilities are just as capable of getting work done, and at times, their work is even better. I think he has every right to be upset because it is attitudes like these that prevents the mainstream to progress into a greater equality.
Mariel G
I don't think the governor should take the talk show to heart, shows like SNL make fun of every body disability or not.
These people even make fun of their family members.
It is just a show.
Anthonia F.
Reading this article about how SNL made fun of NY Governor Paterson having a disability made me feel sad. I put myself in his shoes and I would have been crushed. Yes it is expected of a t.v. show like SNL to make fun of certain topics but when it comes to a specific person who has a disablitiy they need to be a lot more sensitive, these are disabilities that are aquired without asking for them and as far as am concerened this is someone with a disability who has accomplished so much and who is a role model for so many people out there who have a disability. I think that the people of the show should at least apologize.
Michelle C.-Case Mgt. I
Shows like SNL are designed to be for entertainment purposes and sometimes they don't know when they have crossed the line. They will disregard the people being offended just for the sheer 5 minutes of entertainment for America. However it is also seen even with the biggest celebrities who have their own personal struggles like addictions. So overall it depends whether the person is going to take it personally or just like this NY Governor has done just be strong headed and know that the things that were said is not what he is but rather he is a strong individual who has accomplished alot through the years with an disablility and that is something to be proud of and laugh it off. There are more important things to worry about than as Governor Paterson has stated, "Cheap Laughs."
Crystal S.
I think it is such a disgrace that Americans even today stereotype people with disabilities in such a negative and demeaning manner. Just because people have a disability does not mean that they are not capable of functioning and doing many things. People should be more well educated on the principles that are associated with disabilities and the people who may have one. Such negative attitudes should not be said or made based on a disability. People should really begin looking past a person's disability and begin looking at a persons credentials and inner self. Priscilla F.
SNL is a comedy show that makes fun of current events; however, it also makes fun of many people that deserve our respect as leaders of our nation. During President's George W. Bush terms SNL constantly mocked him. If they showed no respect for him it is unlikely that they will show tack and respect for Governor David Paterson who is a minority as an African American and a person who is blind.
Irma A. (Case Management II)
People on the media business should be a little more careful about what they publish. they should take in consideration that the media is probably the number one factor that shape public opinions and acceptance. this show is not only being cruel and degrading to the Governor but it is creating a public mindset of stereotypes and negative portrayal of people with disabilities. It is so shameful to see how a simple show can have such an impact on the representation of minority groups. we should focus on the person and his abilities, experience and education not on his disability which makes up only a small part of the whole person.
Grace R.
SNL has been around for years and has a history of making fun of individuals with or without disabilities. Most of the cast members poke fun and create parodies of their own family members as well as celebrities. I feel that SNL shouldn't make fun of PWD because i'm sure they comentrated on the negatives rather than the great accomplishments governor paterson as achieved. But it's just a comedy show and nothing more.
I have seen SNL and the tv show always makes fun of people. I personally think that when they tv was mocking Governor Paterson, was harsh. People watch this show and causes sterotypes about people with disabilites. But then SNL makes fun of anyone who is a celebrity/policians. I think it just depends on how the person views the joke.
Vanessa G.
Wow...I, like many others that have posted a comment, am shocked that Saturday Night Live would go this far. I know that they have a reputation for making fun of everyone but this is just not right; especially since they are talking about one person in particular. On the bright side, I’m glad to hear the governor Patterson actually did something about it. Not only is he standing himself but he is also standing up for other people who are blind. Also, I really like that he pointed out that “one of the biggest problems finding work for the disabled are attitudes."
A show like SNL, does not take consideration for any public figure. But to make fun of someone for their disablilty then your going to far. Patterson has gone through many challenges to get to where he is now, this also doesnt effect just Patterson it also effects people with disabilities as a whole. Yes I understand why SNL made fun of him they usually make fun of something that is very ovious to the people. Maybe next time the writters of SNL should take in consideration peoples feelings and find something else to make fun of.
Leah M.
This is a very tough topic, SNL is a show that specializes in mocking people especially if that person is on the spotlight. I can't speak from experience because I have never seen that show but I have heard of them. This is not the first time that SNL has been accused of under minding a person let alone a person with a disability. I do agree that SNL can go a little to far sometimes. Governor Paterson, as many have said, "has broken down many barriers," because Gov. Paterson "is New York’s first African-American governor, and the second blind individual to serve as a governor anywhere in the US." I also believe what Paterson said is true" that his portrayal on the show degrades not only him, but also all people with disabilities, creating and perpetuating negative stereotypes and attitudes toward people with disabilities," as if it was one thing having a disability, but people with disabilities don't need someone mocking them too.
Joana J.
As much as I enjoy watching SNL and getting a good laugh. They do go a bit too far, and sometimes its not a big deal because those that they are targeting probably don't care all that much and it doesn't affect as much as others. One thing I have learned is just because someone is different gives no one the right to make fun and display them in a negative manner. People with disabilities are just like everyone else just at a different pace, they can do anything they set their mind to. For example, David A. Paterson being african american and blind he broke out into the scene against all odds. I haven't seen or heard anything bad about him. But what SNL protrayed doesn't others with jobs; I didn't realize how much companies paid attention to the show and actually believed what they were watching. The numbers of umemployment are extremely high, attitudes on this aspect of society really does have an affect to the people in it. SNL really needs to watch what they put on the show and if it gets negative feedback from that specific group of people, otherwise they are going to loose listeners. We tend to forget about the feelings of others, just because some don't make a big fuss doesn't in no way give them the right to do it to others. I think we should all watch what we say and take a second thought of what we ponder on, the people we may criticize may just surprise us.
Victoria G.
i think that governor Paterson is in his all rights to defend himself and talk on behalf of other people with disabilities who are discriminated. i understand this is just a show but humans have feelings and we need to respect that fact. PWD are able to work well as any other person and it is not fair for them to be seen as a joke just because they have a job and are disabled, in this case an important job.
jacklyn g.
I'm a huge SNL fan and I believe that the governer shouldn't feel bad about it.In fact if they make fun of you on SNL you should feel honored. Macain and Palin both were good sports about being criticized on SNL for serveral weeks. Macain was such a good sport that he even apperared on the weekend before the election and they mand fun of him for not being able to raise his arms all the way. The governor should just sleep on it and eventually forget about it, cause it doesn't really hurt him it just boost his popularity.
-Francisco N.-
We all enjoy entertainment and watching television especially commedy shows such as SNL. However their should be some type of specific regulations that prohibits that show what to show and what not to . Media can be very positive if it is used to help the people such as a person with a disability. We just have to watch what we all say as human beings because actions and words can be hurtful to all. I hope that SNL amends its mistake because I would hate it if that show was taken off.
We all enjoy entertainment and watching television especially commedy shows such as SNL. However their should be some type of specific regulations that prohibits that show what to show and what not to . Media can be very positive if it is used to help the people such as a person with a disability. We just have to watch what we all say as human beings because actions and words can be hurtful to all. I hope that SNL amends its mistake because I would hate it if that show was taken off.
Elizabeth M.
New York Governor David A. Paterson has a right to be angry about the situation. Saturday Night Live has no right at all to make fun of David Paterson on World Wide television about Paterson being blind. That shows people that watch the show that it is alright to make fun of people who have disabilities when it is not. I agree with Governor Paterson when he says that it is evidence that "one of the biggest problems finding work for the disabled are attitudes." Some people are very prejudice against people with disabilities, but what these people do not know is that they can be sued because of the laws that have passed, now a days the laws have changed. Especially with our new president who is in favor of helping every person who has a disability. What was Saturday Night live thinking I have no idea, I know they are a comedy show but when is too much enough, this is to the point where they have drawn the line and I think they owe Governor Paterson an apology and also to everyone out there.
R. Hernandez
I think it’s sad that we as Americans tend to stereotype people in general. I also believe that once if we stop doing this it will create a better image for everyone. I don’t find it right that their making fun of people with disabilities but Saturday night live is known for doing that. So, I believe that even though this may get many of us mad it tends to be disregarded because this is what this show is all about.
~Violet M ~
Governor David A. Paterson has paved a golden path for people with disabilities to prove that they can contribute to society. Yet to see SNL a comedy show to down grade his abilities by displaying his disability is a great insult to people with disabilities. This SNL program has gone too far and is hurting people with disabilities, because they are allowing society to view them in a bad manner, or in laments terms placing stigmas to a high degree.
JudithW
well, it is really depends on understanding from each other. As we all known, the blind has their own society and their culture. As a healthy people, we might not care so much about mock. However, if tring to understanding their feelings, we can known that it is kind of rude saying so. I totally understand what they feel encountering this issue. but I guess this issue not only happenning in US, but also a lot of other countries. I know we have the saying joking blind people in Chinese as well. we still have a lot of do for all disabilities to strive for better lives. besides, I am sad about the fact of unemployment of the blind. I would like suggest to creat more jobs both in real world and their huge societies.
Yuanyuan Li
I occasionally watch SNL but I have not seen this episode. But yes, I do agree that there are times when they get out of hand. Television and the media care about making money and if making fun of a blind governor brings in good ratings then they will ignore the fact that they are stepping their boundaries. I too, do take it very serious when I see any one on TV mocking the disabled community. Maybe they do not care who they hurt as long as it brings laughter to the show. People should not make fun of the disabled community because they do not know what it took for that individual to get to where they are now and it is wrong because you cannot put yourself in their shoes unless you have been through it. Gov. Paterson has the right to be angry because disability is serious and mocking them indicates disrespect.
Imelda G.
Cheap laughs? I beg to differ; these laughs are actually coming at a pretty high price for individuals with any type of disability. I totally agree with the New York Governors view that the biggest problem for individuals trying to find work is the attitude of others towards persons with disabilities. This kind of behavior has been exacerbated by the types of skits used by the writers of Saturday Night Live. Disability issues such as how others view persons with disabilities have always been a barrier that has affected the disability community in how they are perceived by the able bodied world. Most people don't understand what a disability entails, but for some the stories they read in the news and the unfortunate low level comedic attacks are their only source for information regarding disability. I absolutely believe that Saturday night live has really crossed the proverbial line this time when it comes to attacking individuals who have disabilities. Unfortunately, this poor use of transmitting information only serves to thwart the perception of persons with disability. -Juan N. 2 of 4
SNL, is watched to get laughs. I can understand why we get upset over a situation like this. Yet, this is what the show does. Everybody was laughing along when they mocked former President George W. Bush. Or what about Hilary Clintor and Sarah Palin?
Shannon L.
No wonder society has a negative attitude towards individuals with disabilities. If the media and shows like SNL can get away with making fun and mocking Governor Paterson's blindness much less any other individual. People with disabilities are just as capable as anyone else given the proper accommodations if needed. Shows like SNL and movies such as Tropic Thunder and other media sources make eliminating discrimmination towards individuals with disabilites almost impossible. But, what can you say....T.V. shows and movies will always make fun of people. As long as they are gaining viewers and making money is all that matters to them......Daisy Hernandez
Shows such as SNL really draw no lines on whom they will focus on week to week. Their are no limitations on who will be the butt of their jokes. They crack jokes about feminism, racism there is no subject that is taboo including disabilities. I feel that if you are watching a show such as SNL, you kind of have to take their skits with a grain of salt. It would be one thing if you were watching NIghtline and references were made to Governor Patterson as being a foolish, inane governor but it wasnt Nightline. It was Saturday Night Live, a show where they create caricatures of public figures. And that is all it is, a caricature of Governor Patterson. It just brings more attention to the fact that he is a blind governor and people will pay more attention to his actions and decisions. Only he can prove himself as a governor (blind or seeing), and if he does a good job, it will only bring praise and attention to his good doings. His position has nothing to do with whether or not he is blind, but his qualifications to be a good leader are all that should matter to him and the rest of the nation.
J. Gonzalez
.
It is very sad how many people view disabilities as only a physical impairment and reduce a person with a disability to just that, a person that is not complete physically and therefore in their eyes are not complete anywhere else. Shows such as these, unfortunately feed the public a view of disabilities that they adopt and turn into their own view, regradless if it is correct or not. It is a shame that public television lowers its power of entertainment to this level, of making fun of a person who has accomplished much more than they ever will with the abilities that he has. If I saw a show like this one, I would like to ignore it, but it is impossible because this only makes the viewers think the same way the show does.
Leivy S. Resendiz
I saw that episode of Saturday Night Live and did find it annoying. The characters in the skit mocked the governor over and over. It was not even a bit funny. Now I understand about the governors views on people with disabilities because there are intellectual people that do have disabilities. I think he should have just laughed the whole thing off, maybe not even to acknowledge it. No matter what it is race, gender, religion; SNL will make fun of it that is just that kind of show. After the governors comment on the skit he said, "I think they need to bring back Sarah Palin because they've obviously run out of material." Now is he mocking her just because she was in the running for Vice President or because she is a woman? As long as there is freedom of speech people are going to say cruel things. Rebecca G.
It is so sad to see how some people are just ignorant about disabilities. I don't see how they can make fun of people that are the same to us. Television shows like that cause people to portray people with disabilities as helpless or clueless. Instead of mocking people with disabilities, they should focus more on the goals that they have achieved.
Y. Torres
SNL makes fun of everybody but thier are times when they do go to far. They give people the perception that people with disabilities can't do anything right it's not right; people with disabilities can do things even better than people without them. But usually they don't know they have crossed the line and they will just move on to another topic.
Gerardo G.
I understand that is the point of SNL, to make fun of things, but its to a certain extent. I think they crossd the line here because they completely over did it. People get the wrong idea of what it is like to be blind. Just because a person is blind doesn't mean they can't hear or feel the presence of someone else in the room. He is proof that people with disabilities can be a lot more than people think as long as they get the opportunity.
Vanessa M.
I understand that SNL makes fun of people but when it comes to people with disabilities they crossed the line. People with disabilities already have a hard time fitting in or dealing with their disability and publicly making fun of them won’t help there self-esteem. The governor says, is evidence that “one of the biggest problems finding work for the disabled is attitudes." I agree with the governor because the majority of the businesses hiring do not want to be liable for anything.
Laura.c
I can honestly say that in the past I have enjoyed watching SNL. But I believe that it is not correct for them to make fun of people with disabilities. I just can not believe that we live in a society that can laugh about things such as a disability. I believe that by mocking and making fun of Governor Paterson's blindness was very wrong first of all because he is a man that has accomplished many things in his life they should be treating him with respect and not by laughing and mocking him as they did. I believe that he deserves an apology from the SNL. Moreover I believe that SNL should not mock or make fun of people with disabilities it is wrong and it should not be allowed.
Brenda Hernandez Case Managent 1
Saturday Night Live put the disability before the person and I believe that media is the number one reason why people develop a stereotype. SNL is a comedic show and does poke fun of different people whether they have a disability or not, however I believe that poking fun of PWD is a touchy subject and that the producers should get permission from the individual.
Lizette G.
CM
I haven’t seen the skits produce and presented during the Saturday Night Show about Gov. Peterson’s disability; presenting his blindness as amusing disability. However, I believe that although the skits might not have been created with the purpose of discriminating or degrade the people with disabilities and probably claim that they were created with the sole purpose of entertaining the audience. The skits do offend the people that are blind and definitely degrade the people with this disability. I totally agree with Gov. Peterson in the aspect that the way people with disabilities are portrayed in such comedy shows do affect the concepts and believes nondisabled people have toward people with disabilities and creates negative attitudes towards people with disabilities, which leads to discrimination. Esly B.
A lot of people watch shows like SNL and many other ones that make fun of a wide range of people. I honestly think that there are many ways to make people laugh withought having to make fun of someone else. Children watch theses shows and begin to think that it is alright to make fun of other people for comic effect because they saw it on tv. Just recently I saw a video clip of a guy making fun of mentally disabled people in a skit he made and put on the internet for the whole world to see. I found it to be very offensive and wrote him an e-mail telling him that he needed to be more considerate of other's feelings. It's things like this that make it very difficult for people to change their perspectives of people with disabilities.
-Berta J.
Putting myself in Governor Paterson's shoes in this situation really upsets me. These talk shows are making fun of people with disabilities, what are they thinking?! I know that these shows were made intended for making fun of people, but one thing is about a person with a disability and that really must upset people who do have one. These people who are born with one, or acquire a disability do not ask for it and I don't think this SNL show should be judging these people on public television. How would they feel if they were being made fun of because of some disability they have?
AnelC
I completely understand why many people got upset over this issue. And it does degrade many people with disabilities. The thing is...this show has been around for the longest time. And it has always been like this. They make fun of people. They even have celebrities who go on the show and make fun of themselves. So yea i do think they took it a little too far. But i also understand that this is what the show is.
Sarah O.
I have to agree with Governor Paterson, SNL not only degrades him but it also demeaning to other people with a disability. Many people watch this show, including younger people and it sending the wrong message; that it’s okay to make funny of people. How can we expect to living in a world with equality when there’s still people out there saying that it’s okay to mock people regardless of who they are.
I think SNL just wants to push the envelope. They however need to realize that what they do and say gets to millions of people. So, i guess they shouldnt censor their stuff, but they really should be more conscious of what they do on the show. But i do love SNL.
Andrea H.
What goes on in SNL is really stupid funny but I don’t take it to the truth its just like make-believe to me. Yes I think its wrong to judge and make fun of people and its not right. However, I don’t think people should take it seriously what goes on in SNL its just comedy and I don’t believe what they say. They don’t make my judgments and change the way I think of people.
Krystal R.
ive watched snl before and some things are funny.but there has to be a barrier as to how far they go..people may get the wrong perception of someoone by watchin that show.peopl with disabilities are labeled as uneducated or not intelligent. this just adds to that stereotype. Governor Paterson has overcome alot which is why he is a Governor. people need to get over the fact of the disability and look at the person and what there about....
justin r.
I have to admit that I do watch Saturday Night Live and I have taken part in laughing at some of this skits. It would be a lie to say that I never laughed at any of the Sarah Palin skits and I'm pretty sure a lot of people took part in laughing at her. I saw this episode of Saturday Night Live and I was not fond of how they portrayed Govenor Paterson but like previously stated I will not lie about laughing at some things SNL has done. I think shows like SNL will never lose ratings because sometimes they have the guts to say things most people are to scared to even utter. All the things that Democrats thought of Sarah Palin were said via live broadcast and many people tuned into that. I do think it is wrong to poke fun at Govenor Paterson but I think SNL sees it as fair game and if they poke fun at someone they no one is excluded due to a disability. So my opinion is that if people want equality then they have to be willing to take the criticism of that right. Just like Anglo- Saxons have taken it, Mexican Americans, African Americans, homosexuals, women, and every politician. Sometimes you have to take in all the bad before you get to the good. And like they say if they make fun of you, you must be doing something right to get their attention.
Aaron G.
Shows like SNL, are popular because of the use of parody and comedy. However, they should keep in mind, that a lot of people watch these shows, and that they also help build attidues of certain issues in the people who do watch them. They just need to be more aware of what they do and who they mock.
-Sergio M.
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