Family Guy didn’t single out Palin
TV’s Fox Broadcasting Company found itself a new controversy Sunday night when its hit animated show “Family Guy” appeared to mock former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin’s son’s Down syndrome condition.
In a seemingly desperate attempt at humor, one of the show’s characters dates a woman who suffers from Down syndrome. The woman makes comparisons to Palin’s 22-month-old son, Trig.
The character states, “My dad’s an accountant, and my mom’s the former governor of Alaska.” The mentally disabled character didn’t mention any names.
The controversial comment comes only a short time after Palin responded to comments made by White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh for using the word “retard,” calling it an inappropriate slur. The former Republican vice presidential candidate suggested that Emanuel be fired for using the word and called Limbaugh’s comment “disrespectful” and demanded his apology.
After the airing of the episode, Palin said in an interview the episode “felt like another kick in the gut.” She was not alone in the family for finding the words offensive. Palin’s oldest daughter, Bristol, responded to the comments on her Facebook page calling the show’s writers “heartless jerks.”
It should be noted however that the character is neither an infant nor male. She is viewed to the other character as an object of lust and no different than anyone else. “Family Guy” is no stranger to controversy as it has made fun of pretty much everyone and everything, including straights, gays, white people, black people, overweight individuals, Christians and atheists.
While the comments were in poor taste, and there’s nothing funny about a special needs individual, the writers shouldn’t feel the need to apologize. The show is known to be satire in its style, and should be understood as such. You have to wonder, however, when is enough enough? What line should be drawn, if any?
Seth McFarlane, the creator of “Family Guy” has yet to respond to the comments and is likely never to do so. I believe we should let the audience decide if there should be a backlash.
By responding in an offended manner to the show’s comments, all the Palins are doing here is feeding into the frenzy. They are well within their rights to stand up for their son, Trig, but they must understand that MacFarlane is only laughing to himself, and it’ll only happen again, and again.
Posted by Tyler Bryant
on Feb 19 2010. Filed under Opinion.
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