Love on the Spectrum star Dani Bowman it has some words to choose from Euphoria writers and wrestler-turned-actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson through – and arguably against – the use of the “R-word.”
“We worked very hard to be included and accepted to re-normalize the ‘R word,'” Bowman, who has appeared in all four seasons of the Netflix TV show, told. TMZ in a speech on Friday, May 15. “As someone who is on the Autism side, it is truly painful to watch this language become socially acceptable in pop culture. That word has been used for decades to abuse, humiliate and demean various people. And to bring it back as if it’s ‘cruel’ or ‘funny’ — that’s not progress, it’s a step backwards.”
Bowman, 31, continued, “We spent years trying to educate people that these words hurt real people.
Season 3 of Euphoria has been criticized for its content that pushes boundaries, including scenes of gang rape, nudity and frequent use of the “R-word,” which appeared in four of the first five episodes of the show’s final season.
“That’s just the beginning of the real damage Euphoria don’t care about treating the R word like weird slang,” Katy NeasCEO of The Arc of the United States, a non-profit organization that advocates for people with disabilities, wrote in an op-ed that Vogue Youth published on Wednesday, May 13.
Dani Bowman
Getty Images“Some people will say this is the way people talk now,” Neas continued in his story. “That’s exactly the problem. Pop culture helps determine what’s common enough to repeat. When Euphoria it wraps the R-word into normal conversation week after week, not only reflecting the culture, but helping to shape it.”
Bowman didn’t just address Euphoria’s apparent familiarity with the use of the R-word either – he also addressed The Rock’s decision to use the word during Netflix. Roast of Kevin Hart.
“I respect Dwayne Johnson and everything he’s accomplished, but using the R word even in a joke or a skit is disappointing,” he said. TMZ in the same on-camera interview. “Words like these have a real impact because they have been used for years to deride and tear down people with disabilities and other people.
Euphoria’s much-anticipated comeback was met with a lot of backlash due to a number of revealing – and controversial – scenes. The HBO series, which debuted in 2019, has been known for pushing boundaries as it follows young Rue (Zendaya)’s attempt to stay sober after battling addiction. While the first two seasons are set in high school, […]
The reality TV star continued, “We’ve made a lot of progress when it comes to inclusion and awareness, so to see that kind of language return to mainstream entertainment feels like a step backwards. Comedy can still be funny without targeting a community that has fought so hard to be respected.”
