By Debbie Dot
Following the announcement of a new character in the Transformers toy line, dubbed ‘Spastic’, a fierce debate has ignited among fans in the UK and the US.
The creators of Transformers, Hasbro, seemingly unaware of the degree to which the term is considered offensive in the UK, which originally referred to individuals with spastic paralysis, have released promotional images featuring the new character.
A clash of opinions has erupted among online fans of the beloved toy and movie franchise, with British fans criticizing Hasbro for their lack of sensitivity.
In contrast, the term does not carry the same level of offense in the United States, where it has been abbreviated to ‘spaz’. Notably, golfer Tiger Woods made a prominent use of the term in 2006.
After completing his final round at that year’s US Masters, he remarked: “I putted atrociously today. Once I got on the greens I was a spaz.”
This offhand comment spurred a strong reaction from the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) and the charity Scope, prompting a response from Woods’ spokesman, Mark Steinberg, who stated: “Tiger meant nothing derogatory to any person or persons and apologises for any offence caused.”
