In class, we explored disability portrayed in the media. I feel as though every film or TV show defines a disability as something that a person must 'overcome' or something that hinders them from succeeding at certain things. I often think that the media focuses so much on a person's disability that we forget they are a human being with feelings. I think that our society is molded to force people who are different to adapt in order to survive. We expect everyone to assimilate to what is convenient for those who fit into the category of normalcy, we created, and the media only sustains this idea. It is understandable that those who have a disability: physical, social, or learning, often need a little more assistance than those who do not have a disability; however, this does not mean that they aren't 'normal' and need to be shown as overcoming a struggle. Also, people's lack of education and experience, as well as their immense exposure to the media, make their view and ideas of disabled persons, extremely falsified. For example, when someone who does not know much about cerebral palsy, but has only seen a show with a character (who, generally, does not actually have the disability in real life) with that specific disability, they base their expectations on what they saw. They do not know that there are many levels of severity of cerebral palsy and what causes the disability. We also have a limited supply of educators and people willing to work with those who need assistance, which I feel, might be a cause of our stereotyping system and the lack of educated people about disabilities, all sustained through the media.
Well said! The media helps to form a lot of our opinions on many topics and issues, especially when it's regarding something that we aren't exposed to in our daily lives. Disability is definitely an example of this. Not everyone knows someone who is disabled in a "traditional" sense (mentally or physically), so we tend to base our opinions on what we see in the media and pop culture. Unfortunately these representations are stereotypical and don't always shed light on the deeper side of the issues. The media can portray these characters as being one dimensional. This can lead to the audience basing their real life experiences on how people in the media react.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with the point you made about these characters always seeming to want to "fight" against their disability, rather than embrace it and accept it for what it is. Perhaps this is easy for me to say, being "able-bodied." And I'm not saying that being disabled should stop people from wanting to aspire to do various things and following their dreams. But it would be nice to see a character who doesn't fight so hard to be "normal" and who isn't defined by their disability. I can't help but to think of Artie on Glee. There have been a few episodes since the show started a couple years ago where he strives to be "normal" and even dreams about being out of the chair and dancing. Like I mentioned, I don't know first hand what this is like and I'm sure many people in wheelchairs can relate to this idea. But I also think it further perpetuates the shame and embarrassment that can come with being disabled, and it's showing the audience that he's different than everyone else and is constantly defined by his inabilities rather than his abilities.
It would also be nice to see disabled characters played by people who do actually have a disability in real life. I'm sure there has to be some exceptions to this, but again I feel as though it further perpetuates the idea that able-bodied people are the only ones who can make it in Hollywood, are the only ones who can work those types of jobs and deserve the fame. I think it would help us all if we saw more disabled people in show business, without them being labeled as the "disabled" character. Just the same as I would love to see more LGBT characters integrated into casts of shows and movies without them just being the "gay character." I think shows like Glee and Modern Family are moving in the right direction; at least certain groups are being represented in the media more than they have been in the past. I just can't help but to think that perhaps some representations may reinforce stereotypes. Having these characters integrated into the cast without having their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or ability as the forefront of their character can help us to redefine the "norms" that are damaging to so many people.