This Makes Me Sad

mamahawk12 · July 2013

It was brought to my attention today that the villain in the new Disney movie, The Lone Ranger, has a cleft lip. I guess I'm most bothered that it's a Disney movie. Why does the bad guy always have to have the "problem". Would they portray a villain with a different kind of birth defect or genetic issue? These kids will face enough judgement and prejudice throughout their lives, I would like to think a company like Disney would try to lift them up, not vilify them.

I realize I'm probably over reacting and I'm definitely hyper sensitive to the issue - but it just doesn't seem right. I wrote a strongly worded email to their corporate office which will probably go completely unread, but it felt good.

AutumnLeaves2 · July 2013

I think that's in really bad taste for them to use such a common thing as a simple cleft lip to portray a villain. I mean...give him some red eyes or a creepy moustache, but not something that can't be helped. That's really insensitive.
I'm glad you sent an email.

gracie__r · July 2013

Some people (like me and DH) always thought the villian was WAY cooler than the hero. I felt the same way when I was a kid. I don't know if that helps any, but I would have thought your DS was cool if he was like the villian...

jodegaard · July 2013

I don't think you're overreacting. Of course it will cut a little deeper with you than, say, moms who don't have a child with a birth defect or genetic issue. But I would still find it hurtful and unnecessary.

Megispreg · July 2013

Ugh, that's disappointing. They should be ashamed. If it makes you feel better, that movie bombed and lost Disney a ton of money. Karma.

mamahawk12 · July 2013

Megispreg:
Ugh, that's disappointing. They should be ashamed. If it makes you feel better, that movie bombed and lost Disney a ton of money. Karma.

That actually does make me fee a tad better.

amaite · July 2013

It is sad, but from Disney I really don't find it surprising. I'm glad their poor box office sales made you feel a bit better.

rp-chicago-mom · July 2013

Are you part of any moms of babies with cleft lip groups? You should all do something and send it to Disney or go public about it. That would get their attention. Sorry they suck so much! But it did bomb so they got what was coming to them, right?

SJandVA · July 2013

I can see what you mean and why it is upsetting.
Did you look at a picture? I just looked at a picture of the villain and I think it's supposed to be an injury scar. I'm not sure if that makes it better or not.

CLeigh03 · July 2013

I would feel the same exact way Mea. I'm so glad you wrote a letter and even happier that the movie bombed and lost them money. It's just poor taste, period.

mamahawk12 · July 2013

SJandVA:
I can see what you mean and why it is upsetting. Did you look at a picture? I just looked at a picture of the villain and I think it's supposed to be an injury scar. I'm not sure if that makes it better or not.

The actors have referred to him as the "cleft lipped villain" in interviews, so unfortunately, is it what it is.

mamahawk12 · July 2013

Baker_Bride:
Are you part of any moms of babies with cleft lip groups? You should all do something and send it to Disney or go public about it. That would get their attention. Sorry they suck so much! But it did bomb so they got what was coming to them, right?

I am - that's actually how it was brought to my attention. We're hoping all the moms on the board will write letters (there are hundreds of us.. and that's just the specific one I'm in...) I'd love to hear a response from them, however doubtful.

SJandVA · July 2013

meaknigh:
SJandVA:
I can see what you mean and why it is upsetting.
Did you look at a picture? I just looked at a picture of the villain and I think it's supposed to be an injury scar. I'm not sure if that makes it better or not.
The actors have referred to him as the "cleft lipped villain" in interviews, so unfortunately, is it what it is. 

Ahh! Ok. Then that really sucks.

britvahok · July 2013

I don't think you're over reacting at all. I would also be very upset.

piphigirl · July 2013

The NPR movie reviewer called this film "exhaustingly bad in ways you can't even imagine."

So, most people probably won't see it. However, I agree that the decision about the villain is in extremely poor taste.

Mrs. Rohde · July 2013

I'm glad that movie tanked. So sorry mea! Very insensitive and shiity of them.

mamahawk12 · July 2013

Thanks everyone - I'm glad to know I'm not being completely overreactive here. The thought of my sweet boy seeing a move like that and having the putrid villain be characterized by his birth defect that he had zero control over makes my heart hurt.

beckyfarrelly · July 2013

This makes me so sad! I just read your post to DH and he fully agreed with what you said too. He was wanting to go see it, but now probably not.

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