Letters to the Editor
Boob tube strikes again
Feb 28, 2008 1:39 PM
To the Editor:
I am a member of the UFT and the National Association of Social Workers.
It was reported in the Daily News on Feb. 20 that a contestant on a reality TV show, who supposedly works with special-needs children, referred to autistic children as “retards.” The network on which this show airs has refused to take action against the show.
This is precisely the kind of issue about which the UFT, AFT and NEA should be outspoken. What’s more, we should be insisting that our candidate-of-choice, Hillary Clinton, assume the high ground here and speak out for these children and adults — often the most defenseless of populations — against this horrific ignorance.
Our professional organizations can and should immediately urge and organize a boycott against the sponsors’ merchandise.
So far, the silence of those who should be protecting these children is deafening.
Eli Mallon, Bronx Early College Academy for Teaching and Learning
