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What you guys need to understand is that while Shaq might have intended this as a joke, when a household name like him, on a social networking site, no less, posts a picture of Jahmel for millions to see, that opens up this huge gate where others can make fun of him for his disorder (ectodermal dysplasia), and that's before you factor in everything that's been said to him in real life over the years prior to this incident. To me, there's more to it than just Jahmel's reaction. You can't simply say "Jahmel seemed to handle it fine, what's the problem?" Shaq saw it as a joke, but others who see the picture will push the envelope and use it to make even crueler jokes. There are countless others with obvious disorders and deformations that you should thank whoever it is you pray to at night that you live what Jahmel would see as a "normal" life. You go to the store, go to a concert, go out for a walk, you do all of these things in public and nobody you pass by gives you a second look, right? Imagine, for just one day, that you have ectordermal dysplasia and dozens upon dozens of people look at you like you're some foreign species not of this planet. Now, imagine such reactions over a lifetime, not just one day. Jahmel's decision to start an anti-bullying campaign isn't purely self-serving. He's not doing for his and only his interests. He's doing it because there are others like him who have suffered from years of being bullied and made fun of. Google any website about this story that has a section at the bottom of the page for comments. You will be appalled at some of what you read. Of course, you'd probably just dismiss them as "trolls looking for attention," right? Sweep them under the rug.
Moreover, the fact that Shaq still has not said anything publicly yet in the form of an apology is nothing short of egregious.
What you guys need to understand is that while Shaq might have intended this as a joke, when a household name like him, on a social networking site, no less, posts a picture of Jahmel for millions to see, that opens up this huge gate where others can make fun of him for his disorder (ectodermal dysplasia), and that's before you factor in everything that's been said to him in real life over the years prior to this incident. To me, there's more to it than just Jahmel's reaction. You can't simply say "Jahmel seemed to handle it fine, what's the problem?" Shaq saw it as a joke, but others who see the picture will push the envelope and use it to make even crueler jokes. There are countless others with obvious disorders and deformations that you should thank whoever it is you pray to at night that you live what Jahmel would see as a "normal" life. You go to the store, go to a concert, go out for a walk, you do all of these things in public and nobody you pass by gives you a second look, right? Imagine, for just one day, that you have ectordermal dysplasia and dozens upon dozens of people look at you like you're some foreign species not of this planet. Now, imagine such reactions over a lifetime, not just one day. Jahmel's decision to start an anti-bullying campaign isn't purely self-serving. He's not doing for his and only his interests. He's doing it because there are others like him who have suffered from years of being bullied and made fun of. Google any website about this story that has a section at the bottom of the page for comments. You will be appalled at some of what you read. Of course, you'd probably just dismiss them as "trolls looking for attention," right? Sweep them under the rug.
Moreover, the fact that Shaq still has not said anything publicly yet in the form of an apology is nothing short of egregious.
You nailed it.
I mostly like Shaq but at times he can be a d-bag. A sincere apology, given his reputation as a jokester, would have carried some weight IMO.
A lot of racial comments are just joking around and tasteless, but are they ever treated that way?
And perhaps your idea of bullying is different than most. In my book, making fun of the way a disabled person looks is certainly bullying. If Shaq and these other celebs do it in private -- not good, but whatever. Once they do it on a worldwide level to get laughs - it crosses the line.
Your playing devils advocate too much on here
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