Comic Jerry Lewis will be honored with a special "Oscar" by virtue of a Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award which the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences announced it will bestow on the long-time performer at the upcoming awards ceremony on February 22nd (2009).
The Jean Hersholt Award is given periodically to an individual in the film business whose humanitarian efforts have brought credit to the industry.
I penned a post on the announcement a few days ago.
Post: 01/28/09
http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2009/01/jerry-lewisoscars-honor-comic-with-jean.html
Shortly after I published the notice online , I received a few communications from irate blog readers, who informed me that a number of individuals are opposed to Lewis receiving the award.
In one e-mail , a gentleman who identified himself as Ben Mattlin, noted as follows:
"Regarding your blog about Jerry Lewis' receiving the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, you and your readers should know that many of us object to it. He frequently calls people with disabilities, whom he supposedly helps, "cripples". He refers to gay men as "fags" and has said that women are nothing more than baby-making machines. Moreover, his annual telethon exploits kids with disabilities to garner pity as a fundraising tool, despite the constant entreaties of the disability community to stop the pity campaign. It does more harm than good. But Lewis and his organization have refused to work with our community. Instead, Lewis has threatened to have his critics killed. Lewis is no humanitarian and does not deserve this prize. It is an insult to people with disabilities, the gay rights movement and the memory of Jean Hersholt."
In closing, he added that he'd be happy to discuss the issues further with interested parties.
Mr. Mattlin also provided a link to a web site where an online petition has been posted.
http://thetroublewithjerry.com/
According to the webmaster at the site, over 2400 individuals have already signed the petition which calls on the Academy to cancel its plans to give Lewis the humanitarian award.
Visitors to the site may read and sign the petition in support of the cause, too.
At least twelve organizations, including the American Association of People with Disabilities and the Disability Rights Center, have endorsed the "The Trouble with Jerry" petition to be submitted to the Motion Picture Academy in advance of the Oscar ceremony.
Hollywood can expect to see protests during the days leading up to the February 22nd Oscar Awards ceremony, according to the organizers.
In an update on February 2nd (2009) the protestors noted as follows:
"We have a newly-designed, easy-to-navigate, super-jazzy website."
http://thetroublewithjerry.net/
"Tell everyone you know, post the link on your Facebook page, link your blog to it, etc."
Info and updates on protest actions may be obtained by contacting the organizers by e-mail.
info@thetroublewithjerry.com
Of course, I recall there was a big brouhaha in the press many years ago, when Mr. Lewis was accused - as he is today at the aforementioned website - of name-calling and engaging in questionable (distasteful) tactics to raise much-needed funds for the respected Muscular Dystrophy Association each year at the Labor Day week-end telethon.
At the time, I was quite young, and my head was in the clouds as I pursued my creative endeavours; consequently, I did not follow the news reports very closely.
But, it was my understanding - that in his defense - the comic stressed comments he made were not intended to be mean-spirited nor were they uttered up with the express purpose of putting-down or insulting anyone.
If I recall correctly, he apologized profusely, too.
But, Mr. Mattlin stated matter-of-fact in his e-mail that Jerry and his organization have refused to work with the community, which infers that issues are yet to be resolved.
For starters, Mattlin and his supporters argue that Jerry's means to an end each year as the Telethon rolls around, do not further the cause.
“Pity and charity, as practiced by Jerry Lewis, undermine our equality," they've accused.
A remarkallegedly made by Lewis - that a disabled individual is just “half a person" - infuriated many, as well.
In response to his disabled critics, the Telethon host snarled:
“You don’t want to be pitied because you’re a cripple in a wheelchair? Stay in your house!”
In view of the foregoing, it appears that Mr. Lewis may have to clear the air once and for all.
The honoree is welcome to post a comment at this blog site to tell his side of the story, clarify any issues or facts that he feels have been distorted or misrepresented - and ultimately - set the record straight.
In the alternative, I wholeheartedly suggest that when Mr. Lewis steps up to the podium to accept the prestigious humanitarian award on February 22nd at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, that he apologize for any misunderstandings, ask for forgiveness, whatever.
Otherwise, a cloud of controversy, will continue to plague the comic - and no doubt - haunt Jean Hersholt.
Albert Schweitzer once said:
"Anyone who proposes to do good must not expect people to roll stones out of his way, but must accept his lot calmly, even if they roll a few stones upon it."
Jean Hersholt
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