TW: ABLEISM

In this recently unearthed footage circa 1999, Danisx Latinx John Melendez is seen being nervously coaxed to speak on mic while being cruelly ridiculed by aryan cishet male Fred Norris (who's grandfather was a confirmed Hitler Youth member.). After being unjustly screamed at, John tries to promote peace and tolerance by telling Fred that he is 'acting nuts'. Fredolf Nitler instantly asks if John 'wants to take this outside', which has been identified as a outdated way of challenging someone (particularly those who belong to oppressed groups) to a fight. John says anytime and before he can even react Fred jumps up to lunge at the stutterer. Bravely, John challenges the bully to hit him. Fred opens the door to coax John outside of the room, a move that has direct parallels to jewish people being forced into Zyklon showers. Eventually Fred returns to his seat without hitting the poor man, but what follows is more unacceptable toxic verbally abusive gaslamping.

This is very painful to watch in current year and should serve as a reminder to us all of how far we've come, but also how we must never give up the fight against bigotry and hatred. If you wish to support stutterers during these trying times, consider buying a copy of Melendez's hit 2008 film "One, Two, Many" which features many pro s*x, pro s*x work, pro women, and pro stutterer messages.

John Melendez, we salute you.