By ANGELA GREGORY
The rap song Let's Get Retarded, played by The Edge radio station, has upset people working in the disability sector.
The song, by the Black Eyed Peas, features the title in its lyrics, with "bob your head like epilepsy" and "let's get cuckoo".
Jonny Wilkinson, manager of Tai Tokerau Disability
Empowerment Advocacy Support Service, said he was disappointed when he heard the song.
Mr Wilkinson was further annoyed by the treatment The Edge's morning show gave it by polling listeners on whether they thought it should be broadcast. "They were - in a very self-congratulatory manner - promoting it as a worthy case of freedom of speech."
Mr Wilkinson, who has cerebral palsy, said the song damaged the self-esteem of people with disabilities whether intellectual or not. "The station is being neither progressive nor hip. It is damaging, ignorant and extremist."
He said radio was an influential media with a strong influence on youth culture. "The Edge should stop playing the song immediately."
Discrimination specialist Helen Gilbert said the song clearly intended to shock but the lyrics were born of ignorance. She was also concerned at the underlying message to use drugs and alcohol to the point where you could not control your limbs.
The Edge programme director Leon Wratt said there had been many requests for the track which had been popular in clubs.
Mr Wratt said it was all about losing control and having a good time. He pointed out that the lyrics early on included "in this context, there's no disrespect" and none was intended.
He said the song had been playing for a few months and he had had a couple of complaints, including one from a teacher of disabled students in Christchurch who had sent him a 100-strong petition.
The station decided to poll its listeners on the issue. About 3500 had said the station should continue to play the track and 600 objected. "Our decision was to continue to play it."
He said there was a similar version called "let's get it started", which was an option.
