The comedian reveals the levels of ableist hate speech she has to put up with – and how fixing it is the responsibility of all of us
“I said to Channel 4, let’s use that word in the title,” says comedian Rosie Jones in the intro to this powerful documentary about the ableist abuse she receives. “And then, hopefully,” she adds, levelling her gaze at the camera imploringly, as if to say: now that I’ve got your attention, please, listen, “by the end of this film, people will think twice before ever using [it] again.”
We see her walk outside with her headphones on, her voiceover explaining that they are a tool she uses to drown out the daily abuse she faces while walking down the street. Meanwhile, social media comments flash up on the screen, illustrating the kind of hate speech she is regularly greeted with online: from the disgusting slur “you are a retard” to the less overt, but still incredibly offensive, “windowlicker” and “the crowd drenched in dribble”. Is there any escape for Jones, you begin to wonder? Is there a safe place for her to exist?
Rosie Jones: Am I A R*tard? is available on Channel 4.
For advice on reporting a disability hate crime, please visit Scope.
