Check out Lovelines - Vincent Martella

Vincent Martella
Vincent Martella (dark shirt) with Special Olympics Southern California
athletes at Pier del Sol 2006 in Santa Monica, California (USA). (Photo
courtesy of VIN Man Enterprises, Inc.)
“Sometimes they'll ask, 'What's the problem, because I don't actually mean it,'”
he says. “I'll tell them that it's offensive and it's one of those words you should
learn not to use - because it's a hurtful thing to say and it does affect other
people.”
In fact, Martella says, “There's really no use for the word, and even the
dictionary, it has nothing to do with intellectually disabled people.”
If more people spoke up on this subject, he says, more people would stop and
think before using the word. Hooray for Hollywood for the part the film industry
has played in opening eyes and altering attitudes. Martella refers to the Farrelly
Brothers' film, “The Ringer,” starring Johnny Knoxville and Special Olympics
International Board Member Eddie Barbanell.
“When I talk to people about [“The Ringer”], they tell me it changed their
attitude,” Martella says. “Now they catch themselves before they start to stay the
'R' word.”
Martella also predicts that the upcoming film, “My Brother,” starring Special
Olympics International Board Member Vanessa Williams, will help create a ripple
effect - not just among celebrities who think twice about the roles they accept,
but also the public, who would do well to watch their words, realizing the
ramifications of “labeling” anyone.
“I believe that the world needs somebody to tell them that it just isn't right to say
that word,” he says. “And all it takes is a little bit of knowledge and caring for
somebody to speak up.”
As for the statement he made in refusing to audition, Martella says many actors
refuse to read for roles based on personal principles. “This was just a personal
reason of mine and they were fine with it,” he says, referring to his agents and
the casting director. “It was just a simple, 'I'm not gonna say it, so I'd rather not
even bother.'”
http://www.specialolympics.org/Special+Olympics+Public+Website/English/Press_Room/...
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2/8/2007