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This image is part of a multi-slide post made by Jill Cabernel on the experience of disabled bodies on popular social media platforms such as instagram. She explains that people are "uncomfortable seeing disabled bodies" due to societies beauty standards and the idea that disabled bodies are not normalized. This part of the post in particular takes a look at the historical context of this issue which has made me curious and eager to do more research surrounding the historical lens of disabled bodies and society/ social media. 

Citation: 

Cabernel, J. [@jillcabernel]. (2024, July 16). Why Are People So Uncomfortable Seeing Disabled Bodies? [Post]. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/C9fXmayPOw9/?igsh=ZDkzOTdrcnp6MnZw

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While continuing my research for the final project, I came across one of the first examples of horror media centered around mental asylums. The short story of "The System of Dr Tarr and Professor Fether" is a dark comedy short story published by Edgar Allen Poe in 1845. 

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Earlier this year, Barbie released its first blind Barbie doll and a Black Barbie doll with down syndrome. When making both dolls, they worked with the American Foundation for the Blind and the National Down Syndrome Society to ensure that the details for each doll were accurate. In 2023, Barbie released its first doll with down syndrome which they also collaborated with the NDSS to make.

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Object 2: It's Okay to Not Be Okay

Jo, Yong, creator. It’s Okay to Not Be Okay. Story Tv; Gold Medalist, 2020. Youtube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1H__LNPCc80.

It’s Okay to Not Be Okay follows Ko Moon-young, a children’s book author with antisocial personality disorder (ASPD), and Moon Gang-tae, a caregiver at OK Psychiatric Hospital and lives his autistic brother, Sang-tae. Initially at odds, the three form a bond as they challenge societal stigmas around mental health and disability, finding healing and connection along the way.

I chose it as my object 2 because it highlights disability in two main characters, showcasing both developmental and personality disorders while offering a broader perspective on disability. The show accurately portrays Korean society’s reactions to disability, similar to Extraordinary Attorney Woo Young-woo, with themes of isolation and societal judgment. While initially drawn to the cast, I grew to appreciate the storyline and characters for their depth and meaningful portrayal. It is another one of my favorite Korean dramas.

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@marissa_edob

Representation is important but that’s not the only thing that will save the disabled community. I need a lot of y’all (non-disabled people) to do the work. To dissect and unlearn your own ableism. Listen to disabled people. Follow other disabled people outside of just me. Read up on the disability rights movement/watch the documentary Crip Camp! I understand no one likes feeling like they’re being scolded. But true progress never comes with comfort. And that’s ok. #wicked #nessa 💗💚

♬ original sound - Marissa

This is a TikTok posted by Marissa Bode, the actress that plays Nessa Rose in the new Wicked movie. She is disabled and plays a disabled character in the movie. I happened upon this video while I was scrolling and it not only reminded me of the themes in this course, but made me aware that ableism is still extremely prominent and still a major issue. It broke my heart that Marissa even had to post the video, but also that she was so nervous to in the first place because she wasn't sure of the backlash she would face. It just goes to show that in popular media, even when, or especially when, we make strides to include disability and hire disabled actors to play disabled characters, hatred and ignorance come to light. 

Object 2

Bode, Marissa. "Representation is important but that’s not the only thing that will save the disabled community. I need a lot of y’all (non-disabled people) to do the work..." TikTok, 2024, https://www.tiktok.com/@marissa_edob/video/7442866182476041518?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

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I'm interested in foreign policy and I was doing research for a project when I came across this very recent press release. I felt it was a cool intersection of my interests and shows another side of disability in the world. 

“Secretary Antony J. Blinken – Disability Rights as Foreign Policy.” U.S. Department of State, 4 Nov. 2024, state.gov. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024. 

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This is the American Girl 2020 Girl of the Year, Joss Kendrick. She is a ten year old girl that surfs, skateboards, and then becomes a cheerleader. She is fully deaf in her left ear so she wears a hearing aid in her right ear to assist with hearing.

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This poem by Rudyard Kipling reminds me of the Secret Garden and has many themes of disability.

Kipling, Rudyard. "Child's Garden."

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Precious

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I came across this video as I was scrolling on youtube and it really stood out to me to see how cruel social media can get. This video draws on the societal pressures that are placed on girls to look a certain way and the idea that if one has a disability, they are not considered worthy or capable.  

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Extraordinary Attorney Woo Young-woo

Moon, Ji-won, creator. Extraordinary Attorney Woo | Official Trailer | Netflix. KT Studio Genie, 2022. Youtube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SdYFYflVbw&t=10s.

This is the citation to the official trailer of the Korean drama, Extraordinary Attorney Woo Young-woo. Young-woo is a young aspiring attorney with asperger's syndrome, which is under the larger umbrella of autism spectrum disorder. She starts working at a law firm as a trainee. She has a very high IQ and an exceptional memory, but lacks social skills and struggles with communication. However, she meets new people and forms relationships throughout the television series. This remains as one of my favorite Korean dramas.

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AHS Season 2 Asylum : A mixture of history and supernatural.  I watched this season a couple years ago and its still my favorite till this day. Despite the diverse themes and graphics in the show, it still conveys a similar topic for asylum treatment in the early 60s. Still a  good watch.