On 3/21, World Down Syndrome Day, a campaign to fight discrimination gives an answer to attacks on persons with Down syndrome on the internet
Lately, persons with Down syndrome have been the target of attacks on the internet from those who don’t’ respect diversity and human rights.
This 3/21, World Down Syndrome Day, Brazil gives a committed and upbeat response to those few intolerant that have been using social web-networks like Facebook, Orkut and YouTube to show their rage.
By accessing the website It´s Normal to be Different , the internet user is invited to take a picture that, through a digital tool, transforms his image to look like a person with Down syndrome.
Doing that, he assumes that It’s Normal to be Different and shows his support against any kind of discrimination, and can promote it within their friends on social networks.
Created by PR agency Giovanni + DraftFCB, this virtual petition has already received thousands of “face-signatures”, and won 2 national and one international publicity awards.
MetaSocial Institute, that promotes the campaign, says that the best defense is to attack back: “many are taking pictures of persons with Down syndrome out of the web because of fear. We pledge the contrary – let’s show our faces, making society realize that everyone has the same rights. Those who have these appalling and sickened actions are a minority, but cannot go unpunished”, says MetaSocial Coordinator, Helena Werneck.
Abusive actions like these happen in any part of the world, with anyone considered “different”.
Two cases that took place in Italy came up the last couple of weeks and had international repercussion. Three Google executives were considered guilty because of a video showing a young man with Down syndrome being humiliated on YouTube, and on Facebook, a site that called for persons with Down syndrome to be used for target practice was shut down.
“With Google executives’ condemnation, certainly there will be more control over abuses like those. But it is vital that we take legal action against this kind of violence, virtual or not. The law is on our side”.
Change the face of prejudice and say NO to abuse
Show it in your face that It’s Normal to be Different
Presentation video, in English with Portuguese subtitles:
http://www.itsnormaltobedifferent.com/pt/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=47&Itemid=54
Launch video in NYC, sep/2009:
http://www.youtube.com/user/HelenaWerneck
Source: MetaSocial Institute
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