Let’s Talk: The Morgan Freeman Disability Meme
DisabilityTell me. What do you think of when you see this?
Do you hear Morgan Freeman's "wise" voice gently speaking the words?
Do you think of his eternal role in every movie as the good guy, the one who provides sound counsel to the younger, more foolish, less aware people?
Does the fact that he is black – and as such, a member of an oppressed minority in America – have anything to do with the words resonating a little more within?
The photo is of Morgan Freeman.
The caption reads, "Attacking People With Disabilities is the Lowest Display of Power I Can Think Of" – Morgan Freeman
Tell me now, when you think of "lowest display of power", what do you think?
Person low on the societal totem pole attacking someone lower, perhaps?
Because I know that's what comes to my mind. It's that if you are to display a more noble form of power, you will attack those worthy of attack (who would that be, I wonder?), and a person with a disablity couldn't, by virtue of this statement, be worthy of attack, right?
Right?
Because those of us with disabilities are somehow born more enlightened more "inspirational" or something simply because we might think, walk, talk, act, hear, see or feel differently, but we are still lower than the low.
Right?
Ever stop to really wrap your mind around people with disabilities being really just that – people?
That disability is indeed the only minority group that anyone can join at any time?
That by some accounting, 2/3 of the planet has a disability, or a connection with disability?
That it's really very common?
That disability is an opportunity for growth, as a human race?
That the issue we are really talking about here is simply to not attack anyone; that bullying others is wrong? That it has nothing to do, really, with having a disability?
Have you ever thought about the fact that memes like this promote this idea, this concept that people with disabilities are incapable people. That, as the weakest of our society, we especially should not be picked upon.
I am not denying that within a political framework, it may true, and I'm not denying that from a benefits/services standpoint, it also may be true.
But I am denying that a popular meme, read in Morgan Freeman's voice, set in simplistic terms holds any truth for me and feels anything other than dis-empowering.
And I am saying that we have simply got to stop thinking of "disability" as the smiling kid who uses a power chair with a ventilator. That "disability" also means famous people like Franklin D Roosevelt, Cher, Marlee Matlin, John Chambers, Robert David Hall, Michael J Fox, Stephen Hawkings. That there is tremendous diversity in disability; you can't simply throw out a statement making all disability one and the same and have that statement – made in Morgan Freeman's "wise" voice or not – be valid.
Morgan Freeman: Take a page from your own book:
Let us narrate our own shit!!
Interesting…that’s not at all what I read into that. I read that those cretins that *think* they are putting on a display of power by attacking people with disabilities, are actually defeating their own intention, making themselves pathetic and low as a result. Nowhere in there do I see a statment about people with disabilities being low on the totem pole. Maybe I missed something in the interpretation, but that’s *mine.* And Morgan Freeman’s voice is truly a wonderful, wonderful thing…makes everything seem okay. LOL But sheesh, I had *no* idea about his 27-year-old step whatever-she-is…yikes…*that’s* something to change my opinion of him, though…haha
Becca- that’s exactly what I thought when I read that meme. I’m not saying that I’m a fan of his, but I felt like he was saying what a small person it makes you to make fun of someone with a disability. Meriah, I find your perspective very interesting though…maybe your takeaway is more fitting with the context? I have no idea what that is…
Just throwing this out there…why did he have to single out people with disabilities? Aren’t you small any time you make fun of anyone?
I don’t want to speak for Meriah, but I think that’s the point she’s trying to get at. Why single out people with disabilities at all with this comment? Bullying is bullying.
That’s what I meant by context. What did he say before and after this statement? Was he truly only singling out disabilities or was it just part of a longer statement about all bullying? And why was he saying it? Was he replying back to someone who mentioned specific bullying of someone with a disability or did he just pull this statement out of thin air targeting individuals with a disability? That’s why when I read just this one sentence, I had a different takeaway. But because I have no idea what the context was, I’m not claiming to be right. (-:
Melissa – that IS the point I’m trying to make – bullying is bullying. Point blank.
I agree that bulllying is bullying period – but I wonder if I read it like Becca & Deanna because it comes on the heels of the Wayne Brady joke press. I took his joke personally because he used a child with a disability as an example of something terrible. That same joke using Howard Stern’s or some other celeberity’s appearence doesn’t bother me like it did when he used Trig Palin. To me targeting a disability to get a laugh is more of an example of this quote then bullying in general – but I’m sure thats partially a product of my experience not being very broad in the world of disability.
I agree with you 100%. I’d agree more, but math won’t allow it.
Yet another example of the insidious beliefs we hold about disability. People with disabilities are just people. Picking on someone with a disability is equal to picking on anyone else for any reason. Bullying is bullying, period.
The Lowest? No. There’s a lowness in making fun of any person for a trait that he or she simply happens to possess – gender, color, sexual orientation, disability, and THAT is low. But disability being the lowest of all those? Makes mocking people with disabilities sound like it’s on par with mocking wounded animals or something. It makes people with disabilities seem “helpless,” and THAT upsets me.
The way I seem to read Freeman’s quote is this:
Pick on somebody your own size, but not on the disabled ‘cuz they’re weak and can’t defend themselves.
This coming from a Hollywood star who said, “So if I believe in God, and I do, it’s because I think I’m God.”
Read more at http://www.inquisitr.com/251664/morgan-freeman-declares-i-think-im-god/#ppbCPDtdpKAOMzK2.99
Lol.
Ann_C
I’m on your page… And WHOAH! That’s some quote!!
Meriah
Yes! Thanks for writing this post. I agree with your thoughts on this statement.
How is picking on people with disabilities the LOWEST display of power? How is it lower than picking on someone for their socio-economic status? Lower than picking on someone for their hair color? Lower than picking on someone who prefers to study than party all of the time? Lower than picking on someone who dresses differently from you? Lower than picking on someone’s culture?
3 things. First, whatever Morgan Freeman may or may not do/have done with his grand stepdaughter, is irrelevant. Factually, note the following:
Freeman’s publicist, Dave Falkenstein with Sunshine Sachs, tells PerezHilton.com, “It’s complete garbage. The allegations are 100% made up.”
Second, why bring up his race? You’d be upset if your disability were raised when discussing an advertisement related to race. So why bring it up when he makes a statement regarding disability. That is as irrelevant as his alleged relationship with his grand stepdaughter.
Third, you are probably taking the statement out of context. If he is referring to the Republican plans to cut Medicare, then it is totally appropriate. It certainly would have been better if he had said something like “people with disabilities who need public assistance” rather than just “people with disabilities.” People with disabilities who are independent rightly chafe at being patronized and treated less than their not-yet-disabled counterparts. But there are a whole lot of people with disabilities who do need a lot more than equal access and who will be severely harmed by budget cuts. In that context, his statement is entirely appropriate.
Marc – I’m honored you stop by! Thank you.
About mentioning Morgan Freeman’s race – it’s because I know there are some people who do listen to him or others more based on the fact that they are from a minority group that has been oppressed. Like they know what they are talking about, based solely on the colour of their skin.
Then I mentioned his relationship with his step-grand-daughter as it speaks to me, personally, about those “wise” voices, to be careful about the real wisdom that may or may not be floating around. That appearances can be deceiving. That because Morgan Freeman always plays this wise old amazing soul in the movies doesn’t mean that he IS wise or amazing, and we should remember that, really.
I have no idea if I’m taking the statement out of context. I think it’s really just a matter of looking at the popular meme and reacting to what’s on it.
Just my two cents.
- meriah
Meriah, of course, whatever the intent of the ad or what is actually in Morgan Freeman’s mind, the mere fact that the ad has the effect on you that it does means that it is problematic.
I don’t see the issue with asking if Freeman’s race has anything to do with the way this resonates. He is part of a group of people that has experienced oppression based solely on appearance. There is a parallel there to people with disabilities, people who are often discriminated against based on appearance alone. Does his “been there, done that” knowledge affect how we view what he’s saying? If this was a quote from a white, able-bodied individual it might be worth talking about whether or not privilege influences the person’s world view.
As for Medicare, well, Freeman still doesn’t have an argument. He could have made a more blanket statement like “slashing programs people need to live day-to-day is the lowest display of power.” There are many demographics who use Medicare/Medicaid, all of which would be severely affected by the Republican’s proposed budget.
I’m going to take a stab in the dark here. Again, not speaking for
Meriah, but I think the issue is two-fold: one, the statement itself
(and I agree that context is important). It may or may not be out of
context; I’m not sure what he’s referencing here.
Two, and maybe just as important, that some of the disability community
is passing this around like it’s an amazing, inspirational quote – when
taken as is, in this format (the same format being passed around
Facebook, this format that lacks possibly important context) it has some
dangerous implications. When we pass it around, it’s like giving it an
endorsement. I think this post is asking us to take a step back and ask
ourselves: is this the message the community wants to send to the world?
Even more disturbing is that an actor’s quote is given more weight than say, an average Joe Blow-type disabled person’s words of real and truthful experience.
It’s the credibility of the source, straight from the horse’s mouth, that should speak for the disabled community and to the rest of the world.
Not some actor’s quote, whether he’s black American or not. This is not to discredit some actors/actresses who do live with disability, but many disabled ppl are NOT Hollywood actors. As is true for many able-bodied Americans.
Why do ppl fall all over themselves over Hollywood cache? They wanna have some glitter, but not the power of credibility?
Sheesh.
Ann_C
SO TRUE, Ann!
Meriah
Personally, I’m not at all offended by Morgan Freeman’s words. In most ways, I’m actually glad he said these words. I take it as him trying to defend us against politicians and others who are trying to hurt us.
After all, those of us who are active in the disability rights movement have said, and are constantly saying, the same thing. We are always calling out politicians/legislatures/governors who are basically making war on our community by cutting the social services (attendant care, healthcare, SSI, etc.) that most members of our community depend on for our basic survival. In fact, one of our primary tactics is to point out how politicians who are trying to hurt us, are cowards for attacking the disabled, seniors, and the poor, and any others who are in a more vulnerable position. Does this mean that pointing out our vulnerability is also wrong?
In my opinion, some of you need to lighten up and start attacking the real enemy; the cold-hearted, bigoted, and oppressive system that is trying to destroy us. Some of you are carrying on like Morgan Freeman is Jerry Lewis, and you are totally wrong in doing so. I think his words as showing himself to be someone who is being friendly to our cause, not as someone who is trying to put us down or insult us.
I really appreciated your take on this, Meriah. I totally understand what you are saying. Looks like you got a lot of people thinking on this one!
I love the way your mind works, Meriah. Excellent post!