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"There's a lot of kids starting school [for the first time]; there's enough pressure out there [to fit in]... .kids don't need to be challenged like this," Hart said.
Groups all over the country have been pressuring the makers of the pen to cease production. For her part, she contacted all the schools in town, and she heard back from three already, saying that they would confiscate the pens from children if they were seen with one. Hart notes that the pens violate a zero tolerance policy on student harassment.
"The schools must convey the message that it is not OK to marginalize students with intellectual disabilities," Hart said.
The pen retails for $6.95 and will be sold in Rite Aid, CVS, Wal-Mart, and Target. They are also available for purchase online.
According to Gail Williamson, the executive director of the Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles, Target is the only retailer that is known to be selling the pens right now.
"Due to the popularity of the film, Target is carrying an array of Napoleon Dynamite merchandise featuring quotes from the movie. I apologize that you've been disappointed by the inclusion of this item in our Napoleon Dynamite merchandise assortment. Your feedback is important to us, and I'll be sure to share your comments with our buyers and headquarters team," said a letter to Mrs. Hart from Target.
The film was released last year, and it has become an instant cult classic. It's about an outcast in an Idaho high school, and it has spawned all sorts of novelty items from T-shirts to talking dolls (the doll also says the "retarded" line).
According to funtalking.com, an online distributor of the pens, the product is officially licensed by 20th Century Fox, the film's studio. When you click the top of the pen, it says seven phrases, which include "Freakin' Idiot," "Yessss," "Tina, you fat lard, come get some dinner," and "Sweet." All are considered signature lines/phrases from the film.
Kamhi World, a novelty company based in Clearwater, Fla., produces the pens. They also make a line of talking plush toys called "Spice Mice."
"Any comment would have to be made by Fox, because they would be best suited [because they licensed the product]," said Kamhi World President Jay Kamhi.
"99.9 percent of people love the pen," said Kamhi.
He would not comment any further, and calls to Fox Licensing and Marketing were not immediately returned.
However, on the Trisomy 21 Down Syndrome message board where Melissa Hart first learned about the pens, there is a posting saying that Virginia King, Fox's head of licensing and marketing, promised to take the "You guys are retarded" line off the product.
Gail Williamson of the Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles also confirmed this in an e-mail to Hart and other individuals who are trying to get the pens off the shelves.
However, that doesn't solve the problem for the pens that have already been distributed, which is why some groups, like the Arc of the United States (an advocate group for people with intellectual disabilities), is trying to get Fox to recall the product. Fox has said it is looking into it.
Back in Wethersfield, Hart is doing her part to contribute to the national backlash over these pens.
She started an online petition on Monday, Aug.22, and she had collected more than 205 signatures in two days - some from as far away as Denmark.
"This petition will be sent to Fox, ABC, NBC, and CBS, as well as investors for Walgreens, Wal-Mart, Rite Aid, CVS, and Target," says Hart on the petition's Web site.
She also said she plans on sending it to Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal. To add your name to the petition, which will be sent on Sept. 1, visit www.ipetitions.com/campaigns/stop_napoleon/.
