Comedian Rosie Jones has sparked outrage with her new Channel 4 documentary as the title contains an ableist slur.
The title of the documentary, Rosie Jones: Am I A R*tard, has angered many people due to the use of the highly offensive word.
Yesterday, Jones posted a video to her Instagram and Twitter channels explaining her reasons for using the cruel term in the name of her programme.
She said, “The title of the film has a very shocking word in it, the R word. And I get it, a lot of people will find this word very shocking and upsetting. But, in my opinion, society doesn’t take this word and other ableist forms of language as seriously as any other form of abuse from any other minorities.
”So, I said to Channel 4: ‘Let's do it, let's tackle the problem head on and use that word in the title and then, hopefully, people will think twice about using the word and other ableist slurs ever again’.”
And a spokesperson for Channel 4 said: “This film is an authored documentary by Rosie Jones to raise awareness and educate viewers about the issue of ableism and the scale of abuse she and other disabled people face daily.
“The use of the R-word in the documentary is within context of the subject matter being explored and specific to the abuse Rosie receives on social media. The film makes very clear it is an unacceptable and offensive ableist term and its inclusion was carefully considered in conversations with the editorial team, Rosie and a disability consultant.”
The documentary focuses on online abuse against disabled people, but many people within the community are against the use of the disrespectful term in the title.
People online have expressed their shock that such a word was included within the documentary's titles, despite three contributors publicly speaking out about the choice of title.
Emma Blackmore tweeted: “My brain is going crazy with worry at what the future holds if this title airs! I have a #LearningDisability, have had this word said to me many of times it hurts so much @Channel4 please listen to the #Disabled community.”
While autistic activist and author Sarah O’Brien said: “We’re not at a point of being able to reclaim or use the r-word. It still severely harms members of the disabled community, particularly those with a learning disability.”
Activists and influencers who were involved in the documentary spoke out on social media to reveal their upset over the title.
Shelby Lynch, Kate Stanforth and Lucy Dawson spent time filming for the show. They said they shared their concerns over the damaging effects the title would have on disabled people and eventually pulled out of contributing to the documentary.
Shelby Lynch wrote on her Instagram story: “First off all I want to say thank you to everyone that has reached out to me to check that I’m okay. It’s very much appreciated and I love you so much
“The last few months have been very emotionally draining for me and two of my other amazing disabled friends. As some of you may know we were asked to take part in a documentary about Ableism and Online Trolling with a well known disabled comedian.
“Talking about ableism on mainstream TV its obviously something that needs to be discussed but the way it’s happened isn’t something that I can support and all three of us spoke out against them.
“We were told a few months ago that the documentary was going to include a slur that is used against disabled people and I was heartbroken. I didn’t want anything to do with the documentary unless the name was changed and we went backwards and forwards for what feels like forever.
“I cried so many tears over this situation as I was terrified that I would let the disabled community down and nothing would hurt me more.
“I try and make my platforms such a safe space for my community and I always talk about what type of language should and shouldn’t be used. So to be included in the documentary with the title as it is made me so angry and upset!
“I don’t know what I would do without the friends I made and my disabled followers and the thought of making their lives more difficult is just something that I would never ever get behind.
“Ultimately it was decided that the three of us would be removed from the documentary instead of the name being changed. I really hope you understand that we did all we could to change the title but unfortunately we weren’t listened to. Again thank you so much to people that have reached out and I am truly sorry.”
In a separate post on her Instagram story, Kate Stanforth said: “Just a little, but important, statement. Myself and a number of influencers were originally part of the new Rosie Jones documentary which is due to air soon. There have been a number of issues raised throughout the process, which lead to myself and all my friends to withdraw consent to use our material.
“This includes a lengthy discussion on why we think the title will be damaging to the disabled community and major pressure to change this. Regardless, I still hope the documentary highlights the abuse disabled people get on a daily basis and thank the disabled community who were involved in this for all rallying together on this one for putting as much pressure on the team as possible so we could try get the correct result, even if that meant scrapping our hard work. We got you.”
And Lucy Dawson added on her Instagram story: “I do think the doc will be brilliant & discuss real important topics which is why it’s even more of a shame to use that title – I definitely won’t be watching because it’s gonna be too triggering regardless of if it’s good or bad for me now because of what went on behind the scenes – a lot of what I haven’t even scratched the surface with.
“But yes ofc don’t spread any hatred towards anyone involved in this – I hope it was clear I was speaking 100% personally on my experience and the facts of what happened and how made me feel as a warning to any disabled people in future who are approached for documentaries, as well to support both @shelbykinsxo & @katestanforth x”.
A spokesperson for Channel 4 said: “We have removed the contributors from the documentary at their request and fully respect their decision to withdraw.”
Activists have expressed that the documentary and the subject is important and that they wish no harm on Rosie Jones. Stanforth said: “I still hope the documentary highlights the abuse disabled people face on a daily basis.”
Dawson agreed, “I bet the documentary will be really good, it just didn’t need a title like that.”
