Margaret Cho's Mea Culpa

It all started with this interview.

Then there was a first apology and another (I believe) heartfelt mea culpa HERE  It's hard to hear such stinging words as were spouted in the interview above but it always cuts deeper when it comes from someone whom you respect.

She has been an advocate in her own right for many years.  I cheered with her as she spoke of having self esteem in a revolution that's long overdue. Although she was not speaking about the special needs community, I took to heart these words and adopted them as my own. I posted a short video clip of Margaret to rally our community as we began our campaign to end the "R" word. (see my post with this video clip HERE) She knows what it feels like to be devalued, disrespected, abused, and unaccepted so I guess I always thought she would be one of the celebrities who would "get it" and see the dignity revolution among the special needs community as a sister cause.  I hope she will, someday.

I left her a comment on her website and will post it below.

Dear Margaret,
Thank you for the apology. I am a mother to a little girl with Down syndrome. I’m pro-choice & she was diagnosed prenatally. We chose to keep her because we valued her right from the start. Your words, especially as a long time fan of yours and LGBT Ally, were a slap in the face and an attack on our community. Your apology does appear heartfelt and we all make mistakes. However, I need to tell you that you are so very mistaken that having a child with a disability is a punishment. Our children with special needs are NOT our bodies exacting revenge on us. They are not a punishment for past deeds. As a parent I see my daughter as an equal in this world, not less-than my other children who do not have a disability. My girl is my joy, not a penalty. I fight the good fight every single day to get the rest of the world to see her beauty and her value. I consider it my privilege to be her advocate and look forward to the day that she can advocate for herself for the acceptance and respect she deserves. Come spend a day with us and you’ll quickly see that people with disabilities are so much more like us than different. I truly hope you take these words to heart, join is in the dignity revolution, and take the r word pledge at http://www.r-word.org