As far as the Special Olympics is concerned, Kid Rock has a lot to learn.
During an appearance on Fox News show Jesse Watters Primetime last week, the rap-rocker-turned-conservative-troll joke that he was going to be a “r—–” for Halloween while brandishing a mask more recently associated with COVID-19 prevention (Rock’s history of disdain towards vaccine mandates is well-documented). His callous use of the slur caught the attention of Lorretta Clairborne, vice chair of the Special Olympics organization, who’s doing her best to make the unfortunate situation into a teachable moment.
In an open letter posted to the Special Olympics website, Clairborne urged the “Bawitdaba” singer to reconsider throwing around words that “have a long, painful history of being used to belittle and dehumanize.
“I’m writing to you personally with an urgent request: please acknowledge the hurt caused and use this moment to stand with us in rejecting that word and the prejudice it represents,” the letter reads. “People with intellectual disabilities, one of the largest groups of people with disabilities in the world, have suffered generations of discrimination and humiliation. In the 21st century, we’re still continuing to fight for the simplest form of justice: the recognition of our full humanity, a recognition you undermine when you use the word retard.”
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Clairborne goes on to invite Kid Rock to have a conversation with her, in hopes of sharing “more about the movement for inclusion and respect that has changed so many lives, including my own. Together, we can use this moment to build a world where every person is valued and respected.” See the full letter below.
While the conservative singer has yet to respond to the Special Olympics’ open letter, he’s been directing a lot of energy lately towards ticket brokers, even attempting to reach across the aisle by eliciting the help of Pearl Jam.
It’s a crusade he publicly took on last year during a meeting with Trump’s Attorney General Pam Bondi where he vowed to “open a can of whoop ass on the bots, scalpers, venues, ticketing companies, managers and artists alike who rip off and deceive the public with the horse shit that has gone on for decades and only gotten worse.” Earlier this year, he stood by Donald Trump as the American president signed an executive order aimed at reforming the concert ticket industry and protecting fans from what he called “exploitative ticket scalping.”
An Open Letter to Kid Rock: Words Matter
Dear Kid Rock,
I watched with deep concern your recent appearance on Fox News with Jesse Watters, where you mentioned you were going to be a “retard” for Halloween. The R-Word deeply demeans and harms people with intellectual disabilities. I’m writing to you personally with an urgent request: please acknowledge the hurt caused and use this moment to stand with us in rejecting that word and the prejudice it represents.
You have a powerful voice and a massive platform, and the world is watching. As an artist and cultural figure who influences millions, you can shape conversations and attitudes across this country. People with intellectual disabilities, one of the largest groups of people with disabilities in the world, have suffered generations of discrimination and humiliation. In the 21st century, we’re still continuing to fight for the simplest form of justice: the recognition of our full humanity, a recognition you undermine when you use the word retard.
Language plays a crucial role in that fight. Words like “retarded” and “retard” have a long, painful history of being used to belittle and dehumanize. When anyone, especially someone in the public eye uses them, it reopens wounds that so many of us have worked so hard to heal.
Through our “Spread the Word” campaign, Special Olympics and Best Buddies have joined hundreds of thousands of advocates around the world to end the casual use of the R-word and replace it with something far more powerful respect. We’ve made great progress, but every public use of that word sets us back and reinforces the stigma we’re trying to overcome.
I know this pain personally. Growing up, I heard that word used against me again and again. It hurt deeply then, and it still hurts today. But I’ve also learned that every moment of hurt can become a moment to teach, to grow, and to move forward together. I believe this can be one of those moments.
You have the chance to turn this incident into a statement of strength, to acknowledge the harm, to stand with people with intellectual disabilities, and to help lead the conversation toward greater understanding and respect.
I would be honored to speak with you and share more about the movement for inclusion and respect that has changed so many lives, including my own. Together, we can use this moment to build a world where every person is valued and respected.
With hope and sincerity,
Loretta Claiborne
Chief Inspiration Officer, Special Olympics