Is this Halloween costume offensive? Yahoo users disagree with backlash against Olympian Shaun White
Shaun White’s Halloween costume in a now-deleted Instagram post raised a few eyebrows over the weekend, landing the Olympic star in hot water. The snowboarder dressed up as Simple Jack, a character from the 2008 comedy Tropic Thunder who is mentally challenged and repeatedly mocked throughout the movie.
The Special Olympics criticized White, in an official statement made to TMZ.
“We are truly disappointed that Shaun White, an acclaimed Olympian, would choose this costume which is so offensive and causes so much pain,” it read. “Disability is not a joke nor should it be a punchline. We hope that Shaun White and others learn that this just continues stigma, stereotypes and discrimination.”
The Olympic snowboarder quickly deleted the original post and apologized on Instagram.
A post shared by Shaun White (@shaunwhite) on Oct 29, 2018 at 3:56pm PDT
Most Yahoo commenters aren’t offended by White’s costume but are upset at those put off by the Halloween attire.
“People need to find real tragedies to be concerned about,” wrote one commenter. “It’s amazing how everything is dictated by the pc police now,” added another.
Others see the attire as only one thing: a funny Halloween costume.
“If you’re offended by a Halloween costume, please go to your safe place,” one user opined. “It was a funny movie, and Shaun White’s costume was equally funny,” stated another.
Simple Jack, portrayed by Ben Stiller’s character, Tugg Speedman, appears as a plot point to illustrate Speedman’s career choices. Simple Jack, a movie within Tropic Thunder, is a flop and was Speedman’s attempt to take on more serious acting roles. The Simple Jack character is mocked throughout the film, repeatedly called the R-word by various other characters.
The film received additional backlash at the time of its release because of Robert Downey Jr.‘s wearing blackface for his character. Despite the outcry, Downey nabbed a Best Supporting Actor nomination.
What do you think of Shaun White’s Halloween costume? Did the Olympian cross the line? Let us know in the comments below.
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