Editor 's Note : Timothy Shriver , the chairman of Special Olympics for the past 11 years , co-produced the 1997 DreamWorks Studios movie `` Amistad . '' His mother , Eunice Kennedy Shriver , the sister of Sen. Ted Kennedy , founded Special Olympics and his father , Sargent Shriver , served as president . Tim 's sister Maria , the wife of California Gov . Arnold Schwarzenegger , is a Special Olympics board member . For another view , read here . Timothy Shriver says `` Tropic Thunder '' perpetuates the worst stereotypes of intellectually disabled people . WASHINGTON ( CNN ) -- I am so proud of everyone who turned out to Monday 's premiere of the film `` Tropic Thunder '' to protest its unfortunate and humiliating portrayal of people with intellectual disabilities . Prior to the premiere , I joined a large coalition of individuals and organizations to engage in discussions with DreamWorks Studios CEO Stacey Snider and others from the studio to express our concern over the film 's `` Simple Jack '' subplot and the slogans , `` Once upon a time there was a retard , '' and `` Never go full retard . '' Members of the Coalition of National Disability Organizations -- disabled advocates and family members of people with intellectual disabilities -- have seen the movie and reported shock and disgust . Their reactions have resonated with many of us who take their cause and their voice with the utmost seriousness . While I am disappointed that we were not consulted in the same manner as other minority groups depicted in the film and that there are 17 mentions of the `` R-word '' with one mention of the `` N-word , '' I am grateful to Ms. Snider for listening to the coalition and for taking steps to eliminate some of the film 's most offensive marketing elements . I am also appreciative of her commitment to working in the future for an end to denigrating speech and hurtful portrayals of people with intellectual disabilities in film and in society . DreamWorks and its leaders have a powerful reputation for advancing socially and politically important issues . In particular , Steven Spielberg has been a generous supporter of the work of Special Olympics , for which I am deeply grateful . I look forward to counting the hopes and dreams of 200 million people with intellectual disabilities among the causes of this formidable group of creative and artistic leaders . Now , however , is the time to raise our voices against `` Tropic Thunder '' and the harm it is sure to visit on people with intellectual disabilities . Together with the members of the international coalition , I am asking Steven Spielberg , Stacey Snider , Ben Stiller and the entire `` Tropic Thunder '' team to stop showing the film , and asking movie theaters and moviegoers to shut this movie out . `` Tropic Thunder '' is a colossal blunder . Do n't show or see `` Tropic Thunder . '' The degrading use of the word `` retard '' together with the broader humiliation of people with intellectual disabilities in the film goes way too far . When the R-word is casually bandied about and when bumbling , clueless caricatures designed to mimic the behavior of people with intellectual disabilities are on screen , they have an unmistakable outcome : They mock , directly or indirectly , people with intellectual disabilities . They perpetuate the worst stereotypes . They further exclusion and isolation . They are simply mean . Mockery in any form , or for any purpose or directed at anyone , especially those least able to defend themselves , is neither funny nor acceptable . We must work together to bring it to an end . As chairman of the Special Olympics , I am inspired to be as vocal as possible about this important matter to effect positive change and to generate support for those who deserve our respect . Name-calling is a subtle but malicious practice that only serves to perpetuate stigma , fear , intolerance and more . iReport.com : Share your thoughts on 'Tropic Thunder ' Ridicule is a subtle but malicious practice that only serves to exclude and marginalize people with intellectual disabilities . Stop `` Tropic Thunder . '' People with intellectual disabilities can be great athletes , productive employees , positive friends , courageous role models . Let 's open our schools , doctors offices , businesses , communities , and most importantly , our hearts to the giftedness of every human being . No more exceptions . No more exclusion . Some may think we ought to lighten up and not get so worked up because this is , after all , just a film . But films become part of pop culture and character lines are repeated in other settings time and time again . It 's clear to me that lines from this particular film will provide hurtful ammunition outside the movie theatre . While I realize that the film 's creators call this a parody and they never intended to hurt anyone , it does n't mean those words wo n't . How can you help ? Ban the R-word . Ban the movie . Take a stand . The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the writer .
Shriver : Members of our group shocked and disgusted by `` Tropic Thunder '' Use of the word `` retard '' and depiction of disabled go too far , Shriver says . Mockery of those least able to defend themselves is n't funny , he says . Shriver : Take a stand by banning the R-word and not seeing the film .