Furthermore, another common stereotype against people with disability in the media is the villain. In movies, characters who are suffering from a disability are often the villains. In the media their disabilities are used to support evil. For example pirates who lost their eye, their arms or their legs through an accident often become the villain due to the fact that they try to seek revenge. Therefore, in movies these characters have been driven to commit crime due to the hatred of their disability. But in realty the majority of the people suffering from a disability are most likely to be the victims of the crime and not the ones who commit the crime.
Moreover, another common stereotype against people with disability in the media is the ones who overcome their disability. Although this positive stereotype is a better image than the other stereotypes, it is still a stereotype. For example the movie soul surfer, which is about this teenage girl who lost her arm in a shark attack and had the courage to go back in the ocean and surf again. I think that it is really great that this character has overcome her disability, and there are many people in reality who have overcome their disability as well. But what about those who have not? In the media, it focuses on the individuals who overcame their disability, but not those who have not. Also, it portrays disability as a challenge and individuals who are suffering from it can overcome it if they tried harder, which is not true.Question:
1. What do you think about people with disability in the media?
2. Do you think that the media should portray people with disability in the ways they do?
3. Do you think that they are being treated equally in the media? Why or Why not?
Before reading this article I never actually paid attention to roles the people with disability in media played, but now I when I think about they really don’t do justice to the reality. However I disagree with you when you say that people with disability in the media are often villains. There has never been a movie that I have seen (and I see a lot of movies) that a person with disability is the villain, well except the pirates. Although, they are shown to be rude, which I have to accept is a stereotype. I know people who have disabilities who are really sweet!
ReplyDeleteI definitely don’t think that the media should continue their way to portray people with disability. Media influences youngsters more than it should, and if they see people with disability as being rude and evil, they might be treating their elders in a different way than they would if the media had presented a more realistic version of those people.
There is no equality in the media, whether it is with males or females, or with people with disability and who are perfectly fine. I do believe that there SHOULD be equality within the media, and also outside the media. It will take time, but I believe that it will happen one day or the other, or at least I can hope so.....
I think disabled people in the media do make viewers feel pity. However, it’s not because of media that we feel pity for such people. Even if you were walking down the street and saw a disabled person you would feel bad for them.
ReplyDeleteI agree that in many movies disabled people are shown to overcome their disability which is a complimentary stereotype. I believe that the purpose that this stereotype serves is to encourage disabled people to move forward and overcome. But what if the media showed disabled people giving up…wouldn’t that make disabled people feel much worse and wouldn’t society discriminate against or look down on disabled people even more?
And you also said that most of the people who play the roles of disabled are not disabled themselves. An actor’s job is to ACT, whether they can relate to the character or not in their personal life is irrelevant.
2) I think the media should stop portraying disabled people as villains. It only makes people fear people with disabilities. However, the complimentary stereotype that disabled people can overcome their disability should exist because it encourages disabled people and helps society treat such people with more respect. Film makers should be conscious of being realistic while still having disabled characters triumph in the end. Obviously, not all films will show disabled people triumph, there should also be films that go against the stereotype, but the belief that disabled people can prevail over their disability should exist.
Also, most movies show people with physical disabilities because it is apparent. But film makers should also start focusing on people with mental disabilities.
I will have to disagree with one of your statements in your post:
“Also, it portrays disability as a challenge and individuals who are suffering from it can overcome it if they tried harder, which is not true.”
A disability is without any doubt, a challenge. And those who are suffering from it can certainly overcome it. Yes, there are people who do not, but to say that disabled people can’t overcome their disabilities if they try harder is incorrect. Personally I know people who have been in wheelchairs for almost all their life and have prevailed due to their will power.
3) Generally speaking, no one is portrayed realistically or equally in the media, and perfect equality will never exist. Instead I think people should be educated and aware of these stereotypes so that they can differentiate between reality and fiction. That’s the best way to deal with all stereotypes, because with all the stereotypes we have in society it will take a long time for them to end.
1)I agree with you that people with disability in the media is seen as an object of pity. They usually have trouble doing things that they want to do. Sometimes, there is someone to help them and in other times, it is tough luck for the person. They are also viewed as a hinder to society there society discriminates them.
ReplyDelete2)I think it is unfair for the disability for the way they are portrayed from the media. Not all the disability are like in the media and it is a stereotype. Like all stereotypes, it is unfair for the whole group. I think it is very wrong to make fun of disable people so I think we need to prohibit the media from doing so if they have not
3)I think they are being treated somewhat equally in media but I don't see a lot of disability in the media therefore I can't say much about this. You can say they are not treated equally by the media because they are being stereotyped.
1) I agree that many signs of any disability is seen in the media as pity. The character is usually shown striving to make it through obstacles because of their disability. Although in different cases like the one Tasnim has mentioned about a Villain with a disability, as a viewer we may feel the opposite of pity because of the fact that they are evil and rather feel "well there evil, so they deserve it." It depends on the actor or actresses role. Personally whether any one is evil or good, I'm usually a sympathetic viewer in terms of media and reality to anyone who is suffering from any type of disability. I don't know what it feels like and God forbid I ever do, but I can only imagine the challenges.
ReplyDelete2) The media is quite broad. People with disabilities are like people who do not suffer from disabilities, they all differ. Having one arm, or one leg, or even being in a wheel chair doesn't generalize any type of person. You can't be disabled and have one type of personality, everyone is different. Sometimes the media portrays a really content disabled person, and on the other hand we may see someone who's extremely dissatisfied with their life. Although I think it is important to remember that having a disability can surely change ones out look on life, but may not always change who they are or character, even in media. Personally I don't think that people need to change the roles that disable people get, however as viewers we should keep in mind that it is JUST A MOVIE! I really want to make it CLEAR that obviously if there is a disabled villain; it does NOT mean what so ever that disabled people are evil because of their condition.
3) In terms of media and disability, no one is targeted it is simply just for the sake of entertainment. There is always going to be stereotypes, or something someone got offended by. For example specifically looking at a disabled person, if someone who is in a wheel chair watch a movie where the villain is shown in a wheel chair, they may get offended because they personally struggle from the same condition and may in fact be a lovely nice person. Again remember it’s just a movie, we need to be more critical thinkers and let us be the analyzers of media, not the other way around.
1. I agree with you, media often shows disabled people overcoming their disability but I think it’s because they want to inspire and motivate the audiences and give a message that “you can do it.” I think because of movies like these disabled people are often encouraged and inspired to do what they really want to with their lives. They could live a normal life if they really want; however, it might take a lot more effort than someone who is not disabled. For example, there are some sports that disabled people (usually wheelchair) can participate in such as basketball, hockey etc, also they can become athletes and participate in the Olympics. ..
ReplyDelete2. I do think media should continue to stereotype disabled people as heroes because media always shows heroes or the protagonist as someone who is really attractive, strong etc and by doing this we are breaking the stereotype and showing that normal people, yes disabled people are normal, can have these characteristics and can be role models. However, the stereotype about disabled people being evil and revengeful is just silly. I do not think media is trying to represent disabled people as being evil but at the same time when we see them play evils roles, we automatically start to picture them as evil in our head. So on that note, I do think they should stop stereotyping them as being revengeful and evil.
3. I think back then media often showed them as being evil but nowadays, disabled people are respected a lot and they are treated as normal people. I have never seen anyone mock someone because of their disability. I think disabled people are mainly responsible for this. I have encountered many disabled people and they often like to do things on their own, i.e. they do not depend on anyone, which I believe is something to applaud to.
Comment by Tasnim Abukar:
ReplyDeleteSimmi, I understand your point about the third stereotype and how it serves a purpose to encourage disabled people to move forward and overcome their disability. But don’t you think that it shows disability as a challenge? Isn’t it showing that you could overcome your disability if you work harder? I think that they should both show individuals who overcome their disability and individuals who can’t overcome their disability, because not every individual who is suffering from a disability would or could overcome their disability. I understand that the media might be putting this type of stereotype to boost individuals to overcome their disability, but how about those who are satisfied with their disability? For example there are individuals who are born with a disability and are satisfied with it and are pleased with the way they cope with their disability. So why show disability as a challenge?
People with disabilities in media are sometimes portrayed as comical characters as well, for example, individuals who are suffering from Dwarfism are often used for comedy purposes and not for more serious roles. Mini-me from "Austin Powers" and Wee Man play comedic roles and are rarely cast in roles with intense drama.
ReplyDeleteI also think that people with disabilities should be portrayed as people who overcome their condition and persevere. Although this view of people with disabilities is not always realistic, it demonstrates the human will and the ability to overcome obstacles that may seem impossible.
The movie "127 Hours" is based on the true story of Aron Ralston, who was forced to amputate his right arm, and today he continues to mounatin climb among other activities. This demonstarates that some people with disabilities are still capable of doing what some would consider "extraordinay" things, and they should not be viewed as anything less than human.
comment by Tasnim:
ReplyDelete@ Ryan Maharj:
I agree with your point another stereotype that the media portrays people with disability is as comical characters. In the media, characters disabilities are placed in humorous situations, which I find to being wrong. Since people with disabilities are used as comical characters, it makes it seem okay in reality to make to jokes regarding disabilities.
I think they are portrayed very inaccurately, because of the fact that they are mainly portrayed as a false ideal based on a few certain stereotypes. Though in reality the personalities of people with disabilities are no different then anybody else. In regards to the stereotype that portrays them as overcoming their past disabilities, I find this to be very negative to when we actually meet a disabled person. This is because when we see a disabled person in real life we may consider them as lazy or something of that sort because of the fact that they are not as great or heroic or optimistic as those disabled people we see portrayed in the media. Though in reality sometimes certain situations will simply make you depressed,or certain people may simply want to be sad. That doesn't mean they are lazy, or not as great as the stereotyped disabled person. Also the fact that the media uses pity to stereotype certain disabled people is also very negative towards real disabled people. This is because whenever a disabled person encounters somebody that person may immediately treat them differently based on the fact that they feel pity for the disabled person. In this act, the disabled person may get upset and see through what the person is doing, and may not appreciate the pity at all. In regards to disabled people being treated equally in the media, I would say definitely not. We need to see more disabled people taking up the jobs that are displayed by the media more often, such as jobs in new stations. We are all human after all, disabilities should not put labels on us.
ReplyDelete1. Yes, I do care a lot about disabled people. It has always been my wish to find a profession for such persons despite their situation. Back home; Ghana, disabled people tend to find a job they can do best in or are eager to do something to be successful (they don’t encourage the state they are in). They mostly turn out to be successful. I would rather give someone; a disabled person money and see him or her use the money to buy food or something beneficial rather than using the money to buy drugs or something worthless.
ReplyDelete2. No, I don’t think the media should portray people with disability in the ways they do. They should rather provide videos or images of individual who have helped make a difference in the lives of these disabled to encourage others that disabled people are not to be feared but rather to have mercy or pity for them
3. Disabled people are not treated the same as ordinary people. They are basically discriminated against. Disabled people are normally not allowed to move about freely in public as compared to normal people. They are being confined at a particular area or environment do to their appearance and the reaction of the media when they come across disabled people. For instance, when a disabled person is seen at a fast food joint, majority of the people there would feel a bit uncomfortable or gross being around such a person; the disabled person. They mostly turn-out to leave that place or move away from such a person.
People with disability in the media? To me they are portrayed as either heroes who overcome their disability to attain some great achievements which seem to be impossible, or simply a target for sympathy. Simmi said that it is not the media that makes us feel sorry for those people, but the people themselves. However, I think that the way the media portray a certain characters does have an impact on how we feel about them. In the case of people with disability in the media, the way they are portrayed actually decides the degree of sympathy we have for them. For example, the image of a child with a walker struggling to get over the curb when no one is around would make us feel more sympathetic than when a child is sitting on a wheelchair surrounded by his parents who are kissing and hugging him.
ReplyDelete1. What do you think about people with disability in the media?
ReplyDeleteI think people with disabilities in the media are extremely influential. To be faced with physical or mental difficulties, and then take on the stereotypes fed by the media and be out in the public displaying their talent, I applaud them. It takes a lot of strength to do that as any type of person, and to in a sense, stick it to the haters, is extremely influential and really beautiful to watch.
2. Do you think that the media should portray people with disability in the ways they do?
I do not think that the media should portray people with disabilities in the media because then people have certain perceptions of what they are, which can be completely false. Also, it really is hurtful to someone who's even family members with a person with disabilities because to watch all the struggles they go through and then sit and take the negativity from the media must be even worse.
3. Do you think that they are being treated equally in the media? Why or Why not?
I do not think they are being treated equally in the media. I mean let's be brutally honest, how many Down Syndrome people do we see acting alongside other actors on Everybody Loves Raymond? Pretty much none. They're working perfectly fine and I think a disability should not be the reason for a person to be treated unequally.