Yesterday’s NY Times had a story examining how comedy explores issues of disability. The article looks at the upcoming movie The Ringer, which features several actors with intellectual disabilities. The film is produced by the Farrelly brothers, who have cast people with disabilities in several of their films. Many in the disability community are concerned that this movie will portray people with disabilities in a negative light; that audiences will laugh at them instead of with them.
I’m not so sure. I haven’t seen many of the Farrelly brothers’ works, but I think the creators of South Park have a similar take on disability. I’ve always admired how the show treats its characters with disabilities. I understand the desire to protect people who seem vulnerable from the unthinking cruelty of the ignorant. I experienced a little of that cruelty when I was a kid. But life is full of comic moments and life with a disability is no different. I get all kinds of amusement from the peculiarities of my existence and I’d feel a little lonely if nobody laughed along with me. But most people are conditioned to view disability as an utter tragedy, devoid of humor or absurdity. I think that’s why my first instinct, when meeting someone new, is to make a remark that will provoke laughter or at least a smile. Because once you can make someone laugh with you, everything else becomes so much easier.
Cripple Fight!