It's no secret to anyone that knows me that there are two VERY obvious facts about my life: I LOVE Lady Gaga...and I'm disabled. While these aren't things that would ever seem inherently connected, for me they are, and thanks to some media frenzy in the last 24 hours, here I sit to write about them.
So, here in a nutshell is the controversy: Gaga performed in Sydney, Australia and while performing You And I, she sang dressed as a mermaid while sitting in a wheelchair. From here it seems that there was outrage from an organization that advocates spinal cord research and said Gaga needed to educate herself on disabled people rather than do something for "shock value"
Yet, I have a question, exactly what is that this organization is so angry about? Is it as my cousin said to me earlier, that this organization is angry because Gaga is able-bodied and can leave her chair when her performance is over? If so, they have much to be angry about because Gaga isn't the first able-bodied person to use a wheelchair in performance. Most notably in comparison would definitely be legend Bette Middler (whom I love) when she performed 20 years ago (and in recent years in Vegas) as mermaid Delores DeLago. Arguably, the most visible person right now when it comes to portrayals of people with disabilities in pop culture would be able-bodied actor Kevin McHale who plays Artie on the smash hit Glee. While this is in no way a slam against the Divine Miss M or McHale, it does leave me wondering where is all the outrage is over these portrayals; not to mention the fact that in the case of Glee, there was and is, high prize for McHale (and I don't deny that I have been among those praising him).
I believe the outrage here is misguided for two major reasons. First, as shown in the link above, the criticism says Gaga needs to "...try 2 get us out of wheelchairs." Well, as I see it there is nothing more visible to the world than the most famous name in the world using her platform to highlight the fact that we exist. After all, what is everyone talking about now....the fact that she used a wheelchair. Last time I checked, there isn't anyone currently with Gaga's global position even coming close to raising any kind of awareness.
As was also mentioned in the link, the Sydney performance wasn't the first time Gaga has shined spotlight on disability. In her music video for Paparazzi, Gaga is shown in a wheelchair and using crutches. Not only that, in what many have called one of (if not her greatest) performance, Gaga performed at the 2009 Video Music Awards with one of her dancers in a wheelchair. In maybe the most powerful act of solidarity with those of us with disabilities, Gaga penned the following lyric in her anthem of self love and empowerment, Born This Way, "Whether life's disabilities left you outcast, bullied or teased, rejoice and love yourself today, "cause baby you were born this way!"
Even deeper than the issue of whether or not Gaga has done enough to highlight the issue of disability rights, I feel the organizations attacking her have directed their outrage in the wrong place. In my opinion, focus should be on how it is that our society at large treats disabled people. Speaking from my personal experience, people still perceive us as being something to be afraid of and they are scared to interact with us. I think of all the stares I get when I go to the mall or I remember the feeling of my first day of seventh grade when I was repeatedly called a "retard" for no other reason than people assumed that if you're disabled, you must not be as smart as them and have an intellectual disability.
I believe it is time that we start to address issues of discrimination of people with disabilities, we need to break down the stigmas and fear people have of the "other" and really claim the worth of all people, without attacking those who are huge allies in furthering that cause.
 |
| Delores DeLago |
 |
| Gaga |
 |
| Artie Abrams |
