A video clip from one of The Beatles' gigs back in the 1960's has triggered widespread criticism, as John Lennon, acclaimed singer and songwriter, was shown clearly mocking disabled people while onstage.
The singer's offensive behavior was broadcasted on a Channel 4 TV show, "It Was Alright In The 1960s," on Saturday night, shocking the singers fan's and inciting outrage from other viewers, according to The Daily Mail.
The short clip features Paul McCartney in the background, as he encouraged the audience to clap their hands. Imitating him, John Lennon also asks the audience to do the same, though he delivered the lines with his tongue on the side, adopting a false speech impediment.
He then began an exaggerated clap while stamping his feet, mimicking the way people with disabilities move, reports The Daily Star. While he was doing this, the audience can be heard cheering him on, clapping and hooting.
The reaction to the video clip has mostly been negative, with many quick to point out that the joke, which clearly ridicules the difficulties encountered by disabled people, was done in bad taste. Others, however, state that the singer was simply trying to be a comedian who was putting on a show, according to The Independent.
Nevertheless, the clip has been strongly condemned by a number of organizations supporting people with learning disabilities. Lorainne Bellamy, a spokeswoman for Mencap, a charitable organization, states that the footage was "shocking and painful to watch."
"Times may have changed but I always find it hard to believe how such famous people can have these horrible views about real people," she said.
"There is still a long way to go before the public realizes people with a learning disability have the same hopes, dreams and feelings as anyone else, and should be treated with the same level of respect as anyone. We are not here to be laughed at and I hope that today's celebrities would never consider acting like this," she added.
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