Writes Mindie Lind, about an excellent 5-minute animation, which you can watch at this free-access link to the NYT.
If you got to that link, the headline is "Applaud My Talent, Not My Disability," but the teaser on the front page is "I’m an Artist, Not 'Inspiration Porn.'" I was interested in the term "Inspiration Porn," but it doesn't even appear on the article page, where the text is by the person who has the disability. Oddly enough, she uses the term "supercrip."
I clicked the link on "supercrip," and, helpfully, I got to an article that used the term "inspiration porn." It's a 2022 article Ben Mattlin, "I Am Not Your Supercrip": "Supercrip stories are a subset of 'inspiration porn.' That term, coined by the late Australian comedian and journalist Stella Young, a wheelchair-user with dwarfism, refers to portrayals of disabled people that treat them as inspirations (rather than as individuals) in ways that effectively say disabled people only exist, or are only worth photographing and writing about, to inspire or motivate nondisabled people."
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20 comments:
Supercrip means something different to Chicagoans.
Just sayin'.
"You know she's bad, she's bad... very bad. And the whole world has to answer right now just to tell you once again: who's Bad?" Do they have their own colors and handsigns too, annie? "Supercrip, Supercrip... she super Crippy!"
Thank you Althouse! That is thought provoking.
This is a big shift in the Lefty zeitgeist, one for the better. I also saw that 'impostor syndrome' made an appearance in the written article.
That is a good start to the morning.
Ann, have you got a tag for "we can't win" or "both sides are right"?
A couple of decades ago, I attended a talk by a guy who had been a successful college wrestler while not having arms or legs. His limbs stopped at the knees and elbows. Other speakers in the lecture series were high-flyers like Lee Iacocca and Jaime Escalante.
The wrestler was part of the lecture series because he was a good speaker, with a good message about being a good wrestler with no arms or legs. Exploiting his disability and playing the hand he's dealt, look pretty similar.
With the movie, Snow White, currently flopping, the same issue comes up. Peter Dinklage thinks it would have been bad form to hire actors with dwarfism to portray mythical dwarfs. The actors who weren't hired, strongly disagree.
I am offended when a disabled athlete with no ability, gets to make one play in a season because the game is already lost or won. He's only on the team because of feelings. It's inspiration porn that is disrespectful to the sport and to the actual athletes.
There is no right answer because disabled people are all different, just like everybody else. Dwarf tossing doesn't appeal to me, but if it brings in customers and the person with dwarfism is making easy money, it's none of my business. Like many issues, we should just be honest about it, and let people decide for themselves.
Incidentally, I was skeptical of the wrestler until he showed some video from his matches. It was like watching a person wrestle a starfish. Once he and his coach honed his technique, his opponent couldn't apply many conventional wrestling moves. Also, with limbs missing, he was in a lower weight class so had a strength advantage.
How sad. How boring. The Goldilock cripple. I want this kind of positive coverage, but not too much, and not too little.
Yes, people with disabilities should be praised for their accomplishments, not just used as "Inspiration porn". I think this falls under the category of being a decent human being.
“I’m being followed by a Moonshadow, Moonshadow, Moonshadow”
And if I ever lose my legs
I won't moan, and I won't beg
Oh, if I ever lose my legs
Away, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
I won't have to walk no more
My Doberman is wobbly in the hind legs but doesn't know it. Getting an 80 pound dog upstairs every day requires technique, which can be admired. First, a tactical vest (used on police dogs, handholds on the top like a suitcase). Then, banister on right, dog on right, with left hand on vest handle, pull dog onto your right leg and knee. Step up and dog goes up with you, lifted by your leg. Proceed with next step. etc. Dog seems to enjoy it. She positions herself for it.
She uses and defines the term in the five minute video that heads the article.
Randomizer: the wrestler you describe wasn't handed anything. He was actually unhanded. One might say he was stumped
Howard: Despicable.
Long ago I was skiing heavy moguls at Loveland Basin under a ski lift and doing a miserable job of it. Falling, flailing, failing courage, but far from the bottom. When bop, bop, bop a one legged skier with grace and speed flies by. Inspired me. I finished the run and got right back on the lift for another go. The lift operator who'd seen the whole debacle asked if I was sure I wanted to try again, but I was inspired!
That girl is pretty wild now (the girl's a super crip)
The kind of girl you read about (in new-wave magazines)
That girl is pretty kinky (the girl's a super crip)
I really love to taste her (every time we meet)
She's alright, she's alright
That girl's alright with me
Yeah, hey, hey, hey, hey!
She's a super crip, super crip
She's super-crippy, yow
Everybody sing
Super crip, super crip
JSM
I used to read a blog called 'Grouchy old Cripple', a Mr Wilson who has sadly passed away, who was wheelchair bound after a swimming accident. He was quite capable, but there is a movement of leftist dogooders who see the disability while attesting that they don't, and praising 'everyday acts'. This fits with the 'supercrip' moniker I suppose.
There's bitterness in her voice. I can understand that but those sob stories and inspirational tales, whatever the motive behind them, lead to an outpouring of both sympathy and, more importantly, support for those with crippling disabilities.
For this, at least on behalf of others, she should be grateful.
Also,
What do,you call a quadriplegic pothead?
A baked potato.
Guy should be grateful he isn't a Republican Governor. Inspiration porn would be the least of his problems.
One glaring thing that came across for me was her caustic tone, her lack of self awareness and appreciation. She doesn't say it but obviously she was extremely fortunate to have a mother who wasn't ashamed or guilty about having a "handicapped" child, but rather supported all her dreams and encouraged her to perform. She was a child who experienced unconditional love and a mother who treated her like a star. Lots of people don't have that but instead have critical or abusive or disinterested parents who damage their self esteem and confidence. Mindie had an incredible mother and unfortunately seems tortured by the thought that maybe she wouldn't have gotten so much attention if she hadn't been disabled. So she attacks people for "using her as inspiration" and not celebrating her as a great singer and dancer.
The ironic thing for me is not that she inspires people to feel that they can overcome and accomplish something great, but rather that they should be grateful for what they have and don't have to deal with that challenge.
I'm thinking of the guy, Nick Vujicic, who was born without limbs and is one of the happiest people I've ever seen.
"... an Australian-American evangelist and motivational speaker born in 1982 with tetra-amelia syndrome, a rare disorder characterized by the absence of all four limbs. Despite his physical condition, Nick has dedicated his life to inspiring others and spreading messages of hope and positivity. He has traveled to over 78 countries, addressing millions of people in person and reaching billions through television appearances. Nick is also the founder of 'Life Without Limbs,' a nonprofit organization aimed at providing inspiration and support to those facing challenges." Inspiring people is his life's mission and he's become extremely successful doing so. <a href="https://youtu.be/aRXdT06bbW8?si=JQ14sZvobu0i1Pju>Inspirational man born with no arms and legs defying all odds | 60 Minutes Australia</a>
Inspirational man born with no arms and legs defying all odds | 60 Minutes Australia
Sorry link didn't work.
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