CLEVELAND -- A catchy new pop song that references Helen Keller is being played all over the local airwaves, but it's also creating quite a controversy.
The music video for the song titled "Don't Trust Me" shows band members from "3OH!3" wearing wrestling attire and dancing in their underwear with scantily clad young women.
But for parents, the lyrics are even more disturbing than the outfits. Near the end of the song, the band sings, "Shush girl. Shut your lips. Do the Helen Keller and talk with your hips."
"Helen Keller embodies the achievements of generations of us, whether or not we have a disability. This lyric perpetuates the stigma of disabilility," says Cleveland Sight Center Executive Director Steve Friedman.
Friedman says the song's lyrics aren't just offensive to those with disabilities. "It's perpetuating the sexualization of women, the objectification of women."
Friedman is also concerned that the lyrics will affect the way people with disabilities are treated.
"Someone listening to this who has never met someone who is blind or deaf or has a mental illness will think, 'Oh my gosh, this is someone I don't want to have anything to do with," says Friedman.
Although many people are offended by the song's lyrics, some parents say they're not surprised the song is being played on the radio.
"I'm sure kids are listening to it. They'll sing the lyrics not knowing how offensive it is," says Courtney Roman.
"I try to install values in my son. I don't want him to hear things like that when it comes to offending women," says Cathy Lacen.
The music video for the song titled "Don't Trust Me" shows band members from "3OH!3" wearing wrestling attire and dancing in their underwear with scantily clad young women.
But for parents, the lyrics are even more disturbing than the outfits. Near the end of the song, the band sings, "Shush girl. Shut your lips. Do the Helen Keller and talk with your hips."
"Helen Keller embodies the achievements of generations of us, whether or not we have a disability. This lyric perpetuates the stigma of disabilility," says Cleveland Sight Center Executive Director Steve Friedman.
Friedman says the song's lyrics aren't just offensive to those with disabilities. "It's perpetuating the sexualization of women, the objectification of women."
Friedman is also concerned that the lyrics will affect the way people with disabilities are treated.
"Someone listening to this who has never met someone who is blind or deaf or has a mental illness will think, 'Oh my gosh, this is someone I don't want to have anything to do with," says Friedman.
Although many people are offended by the song's lyrics, some parents say they're not surprised the song is being played on the radio.
"I'm sure kids are listening to it. They'll sing the lyrics not knowing how offensive it is," says Courtney Roman.
"I try to install values in my son. I don't want him to hear things like that when it comes to offending women," says Cathy Lacen.
