David Paterson – Saturday Night Live

15 December 2008 – Albany, NY, USA Advocacy groups representing people who are blind or visually impaired have joined New York Governor David Paterson in sharp criticism of NBC’s Saturday Night Live’s recent depiction of Governor Paterson. While they recognize that Governor Paterson is as fitting a subject for satire as any other politician, they suggest that that the skit reinforced negative stereotypes of blindness and other disabilities.Among other issues , Fred Armisen portraying  Paterson discussing the appointment of a Senator to fill the term left vacant by Hillary Clinton, suggested that he would appoint someone who is disabled and unprepared for the job. Governor Paterson has joked about his own blindness in the past, but considered the SNL skit to be demeaning to people with disabilities by reinforcing negative stereotypes.

Associated Press quoted Governor Paterson was quoted as saying:

I don’t mind that they make fun of me, but I thought it was important of me to stand up for people who don’t have a voice and don’t have a job.

He is also quoted by the Los Angeles Times saying:

I can take a joke,” Paterson told the Daily News on Sunday. “But only 37% of disabled people are working, and I’m afraid that that kind of third-grade humor certainly adds to this atmosphere.

Patericia E. Bauer’s outstanding blog on disability issues provides this additional quote:

“There is only one way that people could have an unemployment rate that’s six times the national average — it’s attitude,” he said in response to reporters’ questions. “And I’m afraid that the kind of third-grade depiction of individuals and the way they look and the way they move add to that negative environment.”

Tara A. Cortes of Lighthouse International issued a brief statement saying:

Lorne Michaels, the cast and writers of Saturday Night Live should know better. In their skit of Governor Paterson they crossed the line between parody and pandering to demeaning stereotypes.

Governor Paterson, like all elected officials, should be judged by his actions. To use his disability as the focal point of comedy is in very poor taste. We applaud the courage it takes every day for people who are blind and visually impaired to live productively and effectively. Saturday Night Live has taken a cheap shot at that courage. When Governor Paterson assumed office, Lighthouse International, along with many advocates for people who are visually impaired, shared a sense of pride that progress had been made in dispelling stereotypes. SNL has set that progress back. They should issue an on-air apology.

The American Foundation for the Blind also reacted sharply:

It is difficult to understand why SNL, a show known for its clever, political satire, would take cheap shots at people with disabilities instead of coming up with better material—especially when mimicking a politician known for his sense of humor. Next time, we hope SNL judges Governor Paterson the way we do all politicians, based on his political record and not his disability.

The Los Angeles Times also quotes a spokesman for The National Federation of the Blind:

“The biggest problem faced by blind people is not blindness itself, but the stereotypes held by the general public,” spokesman Chris Danielsen said. “The idea that blind people are incapable of the simplest tasks and are perpetually disoriented and befuddled is absolutely wrong.”

According to the Associated Press, NBC Spokesperson, Marc Liepis indicted that the network would not comment on the issue.

Here is my personal opinion….Unfortunately, this debate will most likely degenerate into the typical freedom of speech, political correctness, when does satire go to far?, good-taste-bad taste issues. icad supports freedom of speech… but  freedom of speech means that SNL has a right to portray things as they want to… but it also means that others have a right to critique their portrayals.  

This is unfortunate. It tends to pit disability rights advocacy against popular entertainment media… a battle that we will almost always lose in the minds of the general public.  I don’t think SNL can or even should be silenced but I applaud Governor Paterson for pointing out how this portrayal reinforces negative stereotypes and hope that this issue provides an opportunity for people to gain a better understanding of the underlying issues of negative stereotypes and the portrayals that perpetuate them. The best thing that can come out of this is a “teachable moment,” an opportunity to help the general public see the underlying issues. If that happens, maybe something good can come out of this.

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