Photo: Still
Footage of John Lennon mocking disabled people has gone viral and caused a great deal of upset as it continues to spread online.
The video was filmed at a Beatles concert when the Fab Four were at the peak of their powers, after coming to light on television show, It Was Alright in the ’60s. The footage shows Lennon awkwardly clapping his hands, speaking with a speech impediment and stomping his feet as he urges the crowd to do the same.
It makes for a pretty uncomfortable watch, to say the least.
"Times may have changed, but I always find it hard to believe how such famous people can have these horrible views about real people," Lorraine Bellamy from Mencap told The Independent, in a statement where she calls the clip 'shocking and painful to watch'.
Watch the footage below
"Any who followed Lennon and the Beatles would know he had a tough life growing up and it was really no surprise that he had a cruel and mean sense of humor," writes Youtube commentor Bourne Accident, explaining Lennon's actions. "Lennon also admitted it. However, once he matured, I believe he regretted his juvenile behavior and we never saw a repeat of it. Since he's not here to defend himself, I think those who are now cruel to him in return are really just as bad and learned no lesson. Maybe we can all can show more compassion when appropriate."
Meanwhile, Buckbumble adds: "Why is this a surprise to anyone?! Lennon was a known arsehole and made no bones about it. An extremely talented arsehole nonetheless....."
