Editing Timothy Shriver (section)

===Activism===
As chairman of [[Special Olympics]], Timothy Shriver has campaigned against [[Insult|mocking]] of and discrimination against participants in Special Olympics. He has specifically argued against use of what he calls "the R word," meaning ''[[mental retardation|retarded]]'', stating that the word, "retard", is very offensive and people with intellectual disabilities should be respected and treated like all other people.

In 2008, Shriver and supporters called for a [[boycott]] of the movie ''[[Tropic Thunder]]'', claiming that it mocks people with mental disabilities. The movie is written, produced by, and stars Ben Stiller. In a commentary for [[CNN]], Shriver wrote in part,

{{Blockquote|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. Don'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 [[Retard (pejorative)|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.<ref name="rwordban">
{{cite web|last = Shriver |first = Timothy |title = Commentary: Why 'Tropic Thunder' shouldn't be seen| publisher = [[CNN.com]]| date = August 13, 2008 |url = http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Movies/08/12/shriver.thunder/ |access-date = August 15, 2009}}</ref>}}