"Mentally Challenged" Policeman

Tom Marshall said:
I always think of mentally challenged people as being blissfully happy, honestly. If they don't know the difference between people laughing at them or laughing with them, then I'm envious.
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Sadly, that is not the case. But often, because many of them have such a strong desire to be accepted, they hide that. Or the way a diagnosis manifests itself does not allow them to show their emotions the way other people do.

But trust me, they feel betrayal, disappointment, pain and frustration just like the rest of us. But sometimes they lack the tools to effectively express it.
 
Jim, I never realized that...

This actually reminds me of the episode of "On the Lot" where the one contestant had a mentally challenged person in his short. I can't even remember what it was about, but I do remember that some people were offended by it, especially Carrie Fisher...
 
This actually reminds me of the episode of "On the Lot" where the one contestant had a mentally challenged person in his short. I can't even remember what it was about, but I do remember that some people were offended by it, especially Carrie Fisher...
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I remember the end of the short he runs out into the street and gets hit by a car or something.
 
it is ridiculous the things people will do now to grab attention on youtube, this is really behond imaginable, a mentally challanged person should not take action in stunts like this, that video that shows them telling the world that it is not supposed to offend anyone is a bunch of bs because of the simple fact that the "cop" does not reason like a normal minded person and could easily be tricked into garbage like this, I hope this thread goes nowhere really fast, this is just really sad
 
Hmm being upset over this is a point a view I don't understand. Look though..If this actor is capable of being on his own then this is his choice. If this actor has a guardian the guardian (who I assume cares about this guy) allowed this. Either way, no harm no fowl. Not like the guy was forced to do this without his or his gaurdians consent.
 
Sometimes it's just a matter of your personal code of ethics. I would never under any circumstances "judge" the people who made these videos or try to condemn them. And I certainly believe in maximum freedom of expression... but at the same time, everyone draws the line somewhere FOR THEMSELVES. So, while I'm not going to judge anyone, I personally wouldn't want to get involved in a comedy where the laughs are centered around exploitation - real or not - of a mentally handicapped person.

It's a hard case. I have zero patience with the politically correct brigade, where everyone and everything is "offensive". Screw that noise. At the same time - hey, everyone has their personal quirks - for me, the Downs thing is a no-no. However, if you find it within yourself to laugh at stuff like this... well I'm not going to condemn you. Still don't YOU have some limits too?
 
First. Nice job on the civil level headed conversation here.

Also, I am no expert but have two developmentally challenged family members. One, my sister in law, who until recently worked to help other developmentally disabled people live on their own, and the other much more severely, my aunt, approaching 70 who just learned to write her first name a few years ago. Their goal was just to have her write the first letter of her first name. It took 60 years. I would not call my self hyper sensitive to this material, but certainly sensitive.

Secondly. To contextualize my post. I've gone from hmm, this is funny but it's probably not cool, to OK I guess this is alright, to ...

... actually thinking it's a very positive thing.

For one thing look at the discussion. For another, I think he's a aware, and having a blast. That's just my opinion, what follows is the basis for that opinion:

(NOTE: EVERY KIND OF OFFENSE DISCLAIMER APPLIES TO THESE CLIPS.
THESE GUYS LIVE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF "THE LINE".)

He moved to L.A. to live with his brother and pursue an acting career and he's gotten a fair bit of work as well including a "real" film with Val Kilmer and a few others notables.

here's his bio:
http://www.ponceman.com/Ponceman/About_Ponce.html

He seems to be having a blast. I think the worst thing you could do to this guy would be to yank the cord on Retarded Policeman. He's got a dream. A niche. And he's the best actor in any of the dozen shorts I've seen him in. Whether he's in on the joke or not (I think he is) he's having a blast and he gets paid. Why judge that or take it away from him.

Here's a message from him and his brother saying he knows what's going on. The ending is hilarious.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0OTChH3FaU

Here's a father's day card music video he and his brother made for their dad. You can tell there whole family are whacked out rebels that don't give a damn what any of us think, and are having a ball with each other.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bLQbmzW0Zg

Lastly on the does he know or not front - here's a sketch where his character has gotten confused as to which type of syndrome he has, Down's or Tourrette's. When his brother clarifies he stops yelling random obscenities at his shoe and acts imbecilic. Sure I guess you could ape that, but, unlike a lot of the sketches, it's done in one take, the whole thing, and the timing and intent behind both stereotypes is so well done.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQnxEKj9Bkk
 
I am DEFINITELY not a professional, but I have no reason to believe he is being taken advantage of. I think the guy wants to act and he is having fun. Now, that being said, I think if they are capitalizing on his disease (whether it be monetary gain or simply entertainment) without his full knowledge then they are, in fact, making fun of him - and that it wrong.

The way I took it is he is having a good time and is fully aware of what's going on which allows me to enjoy it for what it is - a somewhat ridiculous web series. As far as the racist things, that is none of my concern. Some people take offense to those things and others, the ones I really respect, see it for what it is and are able to laugh it off. If someone makes a video that is a satire of white stereotypes I will not be offended, I will laugh and be done.

By the way, congrats guys on a civil discussion! :thumbsup:
 
Great points Jack. I agree. (And my mom is a special ed teacher currently working with developmentally disabled kids.)
 
ConspiracyPenguin said:
I am DEFINITELY not a professional, but I have no reason to believe he is being taken advantage of. I think the guy wants to act and he is having fun. Now, that being said, I think if they are capitalizing on his disease (whether it be monetary gain or simply entertainment) without his full knowledge then they are, in fact, making fun of him - and that it wrong.

The way I took it is he is having a good time and is fully aware of what's going on which allows me to enjoy it for what it is - a somewhat ridiculous web series. As far as the racist things, that is none of my concern. Some people take offense to those things and others, the ones I really respect, see it for what it is and are able to laugh it off. If someone makes a video that is a satire of white stereotypes I will not be offended, I will laugh and be done.

By the way, congrats guys on a civil discussion! :thumbsup:
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It really *was* a civil discussion. And I actually learned a thing or two from Jim...
 
Exploitation is a funny thing (no pun intended) Replace retarded with being black or white or Indian (like me) or native american or fat (also like me) or whatever and it starts getting touchier. Those groups have voices that are more immediate and more pronounced, so it's easier to see why they would get offended. Self depricating is one thing but this isnt a mentaly challanged person doing a show for mentally challanged persons produced by mentally challenged persons. This is one person who although knowingly (I believe) and willfully is doing this, is also doing this for an audience who is mocking and rediculing his condition and people like him and not celebrating it.
And honestly I dont know how to feel about it. First of all, I only found little of it to be actually funny which makes me think the humor people see in it is based on the degradation of the mentally challenged person and the institution of police authority, both of which I understand why but personaly dont care for. Secondly when I think about all the dumbass Indian jokes I hear on TV or at lunch with friends and how personaly offended I feel and how I can't even express my offense cause then I look like a touchy a-hole cause someone else made fun of me, so what if it was based on utter ignorance, I should just take it cause I'm Indian and who cares if MY race is degraded, it's not thier fault I'm Indian. Wow being Indian starts to feel like disease I shouldnt admit I suffer from and just laugh along with them lest they find me out. Or jokes about other ethnic groups like Iraqis, Iranians, Jews just cause it seems "cool" to dislike them at the moment. But I bet you that same person wouldnt walk up to some of my black friends and make an equally offensive black joke to thier face. Which angers me a little because does it take fear for you to even FAKE like you respect me, my condition and my heritage. AND I hate it when white people are made fun of by other ethnic groups which honestly happens way more than the other way around in my observation.
I'm not stupid, I don't excpect civilization to change overnight. We obviously developed these segregational instincts for survival of OUR Family>Clan>Tribe>Nation>Race. But that time is over and we have to evolve; generation after generation will hopefully learn to be more integrated and less concerned with the little things that makes us different and celebrate our oneness with eachother, with our planet, with our universe and with our common origin, whatever you choose to believe that is.

EDIT: I dont hate or love any of you more or less because of the position you took. I'm as big of an obnoxious jackass as they come, I know plenty about offending people. I just wanted to voice in on something I feel is important. And I completely respect and appreciate your right to completely disagree with me.
 
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Johnny Cola said:
But that time is over and we have to evolve; generation after generation will hopefully learn to be more integrated and less concerned with the little things that makes us different and celebrate our oneness with eachother, with our planet, with our universe and with our common origin, whatever you choose to believe that is.
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I couldn't agree more, man... :)

And if someone was telling racial jokes around me, I, personally, wouldn't tolerate it. I'd tell them to shut the f up right then and there. There's no excuse for that type of behavior.


ConspiracyPenguin said:
You say "was" like I ruined it. I was trying to be a participating member...:huh:
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I said "was" because I considered the thread dead as of July 12th. Before then is when the majority of the comments were made. Now that it's no longer the case, it *is* a civil discussion. :)
 
Not to nitpick (given the ongoing civil nature of the discussion), but Down Syndrome is NOT a disease. It is a genetic condition that causes global developmental delays. I only bring this up because it is relevant to the nature of what we are talking about. We assume that someone with a "disease" has something wrong with them. There is nothing "wrong" with someone who has Down Syndrome. As we often tell other parents, our son is not broken, he does not need to be fixed. His condition (an extra 23rd chromosome) causes him to need supports that typical people don't need, but it is a part of who he is. He would not be the same person without the condition. A disease is different. It is something that happens to you, not part of who you are. The more I am involved with this community, the more I realize that we all have "special needs" We all learn, work, cope and relate differently. It is only a question of the extent of the support we each need.

As for the rest, Johnny brings up a great point about advocacy. Other groups can and will often advocate for themselves. We hear it all the time. This group of people is often not given that opportunity. Sometimes it is because they do not know they are being exploited or mocked. Sometimes it is because other people do not understand (as has been stated here) that they actually are offended and hurt. And sometimes, like the rest of us, they want to be accepted and are willing to go to great lengths (including sacrificing personal dignity) to be considered a part of society.

Again, I'm not saying that this video is wrong, or that this man is being taken advantage of. Just trying to raise the level of awareness around those whose abilities don't fit neatly into the box.
 
I'm just glad to see the guy doing something he loves and providing some entertaining web videos for a change.:thumbsup: He seems to be extremely intelligent. In fact, he's probably smarter and more well adjusted than a good percentage of the people I run into on a daily basis.
 
Just to further clarify my position, the satire I found amusing (orginially) was regarding the mocking of the authority and incompetency of police, the satire at no point never crossed my mind regarding the mocking of a genetic disorder such as down syndrome.

If the "satire" was ever orientated towards that direction (if anyone was viewing it from that perspective), thats a perspective I find untenable, and should be rightly condemned.

I think this is what might be at the root of the problem, that because this video has two distinct layers of perspective, the subjectiveness means it relies upon the interpretation of viewers to decide what to define the "satire" as. One which is morally unacceptable, one which is fairly acceptable.
 
Or one which is beyond fairly acceptable and is fairly positive.

As Jim had mentioned in one post the that thinking these people are less than us and therefore should be protected from certain kinds of humor can be belittle them; I see this as an actor doing something he enjoys, promoting discussion, and claiming equality by exercising the right to make light of himself and his condition.

If he was cast in a Hallmark channel drama about a Down's Syndrome guy that touched the hearts of all around him through his simple live-in-the-moment outlook on life, no one would say boo about it, but the truth is that he could just as easily be being exploited in those circumstances, and the subject matter could be even more offensive and stereotypical suggesting that people with Down's are like stupid golden hearted puppy dogs that remind you of how simple life should be. Where here with the internet shorts, we see a complex irreverent individual doing something he loves that a lot of us aren't comfortable with and in many ways tackling issues head on that the Hallmark channel movie would gloss over by suggesting that these people are some kind of lovable blissfully unaware idiots.

I think more than anything, his participation in these raunchy, really out there shorts challenges our perceptions of what a person with Down's is. It may be more threatening to identify these marginalized folks as worthy of not being marginalized.
 
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