Ted Talk Analysis

For my Individual Assignment, I decided to look at two individuals perspectives on their disability. I watched two Ted Talks, One by Maysoon Zayid Called “I got 99 problems.. And palsy is just one”filmed on December 2013. As well as a Ted Talk by Aimee Mullins called “The Opportunity Of Adversity”. Both of these individuals had a very different approach to how they viewed themselves with there disability. As Maysoon’s approach was portrayed in a very comedic light. As she discussed her disability with the audience she made jokes to lighten the mood, and make things seem less serious. Maysoon’s Ted Talk address myths about her disability, which was Cerebral Palsy.She wanted people to know that even though she has disability, it doesn't make …show more content…
In the Merriam Webster Dictionary Disabled is defined as “deprived of the power to perform one or more natural bodily activities”. (2017) Some words that were considered related to Disabled were “special-needs halt, lame, diseased, unhealthy, unsound,blind, deaf, hard of hearing.”(2017). As well as some near antonyms of disabled consisted of “bouncing, chipper, fit, hale, healthy, hearty, robust, sound, well, whole, wholesome” (2017). To start off looking up what the current 2017 definition of “Disabled”. To see if we have evolved and changed within the last seven years since Aimee Mullins Talk. It seems as though we have not changed in the past seven years still using many negative and derogatory language to describe someone with a disability and or …show more content…
Maysoon touched on this but talking about the derogatory language that is posted online saying that she felt more attacked for having a disability online then she did in real life. People called her names such as “gumpy Mouthed terrorist”. Aimee touched on the power of language and stereotypes but stating our current language hasn’t caught with the reality of what our society is. Our language is holding individuals back. If we had better language, maybe individuals would see people with disabilities as capable. This makes me think why do individuals still use language that is derogatory and or hateful towards individuals or groups. They defined by individuals who do not identify with a disability. In the society we live in most people still see the hetrosexual white male as the person who is most valuable for example our society views who is an ideal and or good parent in the same way “a good parent should be – implicitly able bodied/minded, middle class, heteronormative and white” This is therefore reinforcing the “what is normal” stereotype.(Ignagni,Fudge Schormans