Freaks or beasts? – the problem of what to call disabled people
Elsewhere I’ve waxed lyrical about how the media can perpetuate negative stereotypes of various groups. And whilst I’m not a fan of being overly politically correct, the use of language can affect how we view people.
- Image by scazon via Flickr
Channel 4 are scheduling a reality-style programme where a series of attractive people are put in a house lined by mirrors with people who have a variety of severe disfigurements. The idea, apparently, is to explore how society perceives beauty, and how different the lives of these two groups of people are. An admirable motive? Maybe (my guess is that the primary motive is entertainment, not enlightenment, but I hope I’m proved wrong). The name of the show? “Beauty and the Beast”.
To be fair to Channel 4, they are covering the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Which is great. They are running a trailer from this month, highlighting particular disabled athletes. Again, this is to be welcomed. The name of this show? “Freaks of Nature”.
I can’t comment on the reasons why those names were chosen for those shows, but I can fairly confidently predict that “Freak” and “Beast” will rise in popularity as names to call disabled people. Still, I suppose it makes a change from “benefit scrounger”.
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4 Responses to Freaks or beasts? – the problem of what to call disabled people
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This one is red rag to a bull, isn’t it?
“Beauty and the Beast”.
“Freaks of Nature”
Anybody ever heard of ‘perspective’ or ‘the eye of the beholder’? Give us strength…
“The idea, apparently, is to explore how society perceives beauty, and how different the lives of these two groups of people are” – and we believe that?
Twitter: Linda_Mattacks
This one is red rag to a bull, isn’t it?
“Beauty and the Beast”.
“Freaks of Nature”
Anybody ever heard of ‘perspective’ or ‘the eye of the beholder’? Give us strength…
“The idea, apparently, is to explore how society perceives beauty, and how different the lives of these two groups of people are” – and we believe that?
Twitter: Linda_Mattacks
I don’t know about tests, but I do believe they need to think carefully about the potential impact of their programme choices and language. They should show a degree of responsibility about how what they do affects people. I’m all for controversial and innovative, but calling disabled people “beasts” or “freaks” doesn’t seem to be either of those – it’s just downright offensive. And it’s a shame, because the show about disabled athletes might have been quite beneficial otherwise.
I think what’s really important here is how these two activities – TV series and sports coverage – will impact on the perception of disabled people generally and help the public to understand the realities of disability more accurately.
It’s unfortunate that the titles chosen are unpleasant, but with luck that unpleasantness – designed to appeal to TV viewers’ voyeuristic natures – ultimately will result in more viewers appreciating disabled people and the contributions they make to our community.
In other words, a nasty sprat to catch a potentially helpful mackerel.
Twitter: SuzeStMWrites