Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media
The media portrayal of disabled people is really disheartening for all of us especially who keeps a right-based approach of disability. To my mind, we are living in a highly demotivated, alienated and individualist society where society wants to extract some sorts of inspiration for itself, out of us. That is why, despite our explicit request such negative portrayal are been made about us. In this sense, we as a disabled bodied has transformed into an living objects through which so called normal people can derived a sense of inspiration or motivation. This is very dangerous for our existence and needs to be strongly resisted by all of us. The onus is upon us, to let the society understand that we are normal human being with similar capabilities of failure and success. On 3/23/18, Rahul Bajaj wrote: > Hi Everyone, > > In light of the fruitful conversation that we had on this thread, I > thought I should share this article that appeared about me in ToI > recently: > https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/nu-alumnus-1st-specially-abled-to-win-prestigious-rhodes-scholarship/articleshow/63347223.cms?utm_source=whatsapp&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=TOIMobile > > As you can see, even the headline of the article uses the phrase > 'specially abled'. Further, even though I made an explicit request to > them that my disability not be made the focal point of the article, > that is the very thing that they have highlighted. The point that I > made in this regard has been covered last. Further, I told them that I > am averse to the idea of saying that xyz is the first disabled person > to have achieved something, as this narrative is premised upon the > disabled being a separate class and further fuels their alienation, > they have attached great emphasis to that. > > I think that there is a natural propensity amongst media houses to > capture stories featuring the disabled in a way that their disability > remains at the forefront. At the end of the day, covering a narrative > about disability that is nuanced does not garner as much attention as > a narrative of someone overcoming their disability and being the first > disabled person to do something. And garnering attention remains the > primary consideration governing the media's coverage of any issue. > > Best, > Rahul > > > > > > > On 31/01/2018, Subramani L wrote: >> Hai Payal and others: >> >> I didn’t listen to the interview with Ashish, but the discussion >> throws plenty of light on how the subject has been handled. Television >> media has very little time for doing anything properly. I remember one >> of the TV reporters in Bangalore reading straight from a report I had >> published in my newspaper on Google’s bus to propagate the use of >> online platform among the elderly in rural areas. >> >> I wouldn’t suggest a strong or stern response lest we’d end up scaring >> away the media entirely. Instead, I have some suggestions for >> individuals, NGOs and the sector at large. See if it makes sense: >> >> *Be prepared at all times with a fact sheet on your accomplishments >> and a press note on what you want to say. Something like an FAQ about >> you. Keep it on soft so that you can forward to anyone anytime. >> Needless to say you have to keep it updated. >> >> *approach the media house with someone familiar with its workings. >> Some kind of a publicist would be a good idea. We need not >> individually hire one, but can have a common publicist to fall back >> on. >> >> *As someone personally witnessed how mishandling of media would set >> off a crises, I’d ask all of you to remember that you are handling a >> double edged sword. It could work to your advantage and it could work >> against as well. When in crises, please come out clean, state the >> facts and leave things at that. After all, that’s the only thing we >> can do. In such times, a media manager would come handy for NGOs. It’s >> not unheard of even in the case of individuals who have their >> reputation and image to protect. >> >> *As for Ashish’s case, put down your opinions on the issue (may be >> Ashish himself can do it). Don’t mention the name of the television >> channel or the person by name. Just a piece on how persons with >> disability should be treated and how stereotyping and typecasting >> actually eclipses their real accomplishments. We’ll see where we can >> publish it. I’ll personally see if my publication is interested in it. >> >> Hope this makes sense, >> >> Subramani >> >> >> On 1/29/18, Payal Kapoor wrote: >>> This message is eligible for Automatic Cleanup! (paya...@gmail.com) >>> Add cleanup rule: >>> https://www.boxbe.com/popup?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.boxbe.com%2Fcleanup%3Fkey%3DrOJr1XkROQe3aVoIouNcuaubY7rHjiGz5z%252FyXf8h3OY%253D%26token%3DSgjFPp4sRYcPe3hk76XuuQa9D0vciEPgtYZIPx8slERIG7J9ue8XU8nnGK5FQEfsALKilFeD9k7ZfuxNRYb%252FUXnZS4KaSfnnTT5ShPmuM3CHVWPyNfrl2cG2wEik84bVuJB68K33rIo%253D&tc_serial=36256873797&tc_rand=320660116&utm_source=stf&utm_medium=email&utm
Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media
Hi Everyone, In light of the fruitful conversation that we had on this thread, I thought I should share this article that appeared about me in ToI recently: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/nu-alumnus-1st-specially-abled-to-win-prestigious-rhodes-scholarship/articleshow/63347223.cms?utm_source=whatsapp&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=TOIMobile As you can see, even the headline of the article uses the phrase 'specially abled'. Further, even though I made an explicit request to them that my disability not be made the focal point of the article, that is the very thing that they have highlighted. The point that I made in this regard has been covered last. Further, I told them that I am averse to the idea of saying that xyz is the first disabled person to have achieved something, as this narrative is premised upon the disabled being a separate class and further fuels their alienation, they have attached great emphasis to that. I think that there is a natural propensity amongst media houses to capture stories featuring the disabled in a way that their disability remains at the forefront. At the end of the day, covering a narrative about disability that is nuanced does not garner as much attention as a narrative of someone overcoming their disability and being the first disabled person to do something. And garnering attention remains the primary consideration governing the media's coverage of any issue. Best, Rahul On 31/01/2018, Subramani L wrote: > Hai Payal and others: > > I didn’t listen to the interview with Ashish, but the discussion > throws plenty of light on how the subject has been handled. Television > media has very little time for doing anything properly. I remember one > of the TV reporters in Bangalore reading straight from a report I had > published in my newspaper on Google’s bus to propagate the use of > online platform among the elderly in rural areas. > > I wouldn’t suggest a strong or stern response lest we’d end up scaring > away the media entirely. Instead, I have some suggestions for > individuals, NGOs and the sector at large. See if it makes sense: > > *Be prepared at all times with a fact sheet on your accomplishments > and a press note on what you want to say. Something like an FAQ about > you. Keep it on soft so that you can forward to anyone anytime. > Needless to say you have to keep it updated. > > *approach the media house with someone familiar with its workings. > Some kind of a publicist would be a good idea. We need not > individually hire one, but can have a common publicist to fall back > on. > > *As someone personally witnessed how mishandling of media would set > off a crises, I’d ask all of you to remember that you are handling a > double edged sword. It could work to your advantage and it could work > against as well. When in crises, please come out clean, state the > facts and leave things at that. After all, that’s the only thing we > can do. In such times, a media manager would come handy for NGOs. It’s > not unheard of even in the case of individuals who have their > reputation and image to protect. > > *As for Ashish’s case, put down your opinions on the issue (may be > Ashish himself can do it). Don’t mention the name of the television > channel or the person by name. Just a piece on how persons with > disability should be treated and how stereotyping and typecasting > actually eclipses their real accomplishments. We’ll see where we can > publish it. I’ll personally see if my publication is interested in it. > > Hope this makes sense, > > Subramani > > > On 1/29/18, Payal Kapoor wrote: >> This message is eligible for Automatic Cleanup! (paya...@gmail.com) >> Add cleanup rule: >> https://www.boxbe.com/popup?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.boxbe.com%2Fcleanup%3Fkey%3DrOJr1XkROQe3aVoIouNcuaubY7rHjiGz5z%252FyXf8h3OY%253D%26token%3DSgjFPp4sRYcPe3hk76XuuQa9D0vciEPgtYZIPx8slERIG7J9ue8XU8nnGK5FQEfsALKilFeD9k7ZfuxNRYb%252FUXnZS4KaSfnnTT5ShPmuM3CHVWPyNfrl2cG2wEik84bVuJB68K33rIo%253D&tc_serial=36256873797&tc_rand=320660116&utm_source=stf&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ANNO_CLEANUP_ADD&utm_content=001 >> More info: >> http://blog.boxbe.com/general/boxbe-automatic-cleanup?tc_serial=36256873797&tc_rand=320660116&utm_source=stf&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ANNO_CLEANUP_ADD&utm_content=001 >> > > > -- > L. Subramani, > Snr. Subeditor, > Deccan Herald, > Bangalore, > M: 91-7204322451 > > Facebook: Subramani Lakshminarayanan > > Twitter: lsubramani60873 > > Linkedin: L. Subramani > > website: http://www.lsubramani.com > > If you are someone who need personal help to cope with blindness, a > little friendly chat about things that bother you or just an ear to > listen to your fears and frustrations, please don't hesitate to get in > touch. I've been through that and I can help. Just leave your > questions and if you don't want to give your name, that's fine. > > Are you an HR exec, a volunteer, a friend/relative of someone going > through blindness or do you want to
Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media
Hai Payal and others: I didn’t listen to the interview with Ashish, but the discussion throws plenty of light on how the subject has been handled. Television media has very little time for doing anything properly. I remember one of the TV reporters in Bangalore reading straight from a report I had published in my newspaper on Google’s bus to propagate the use of online platform among the elderly in rural areas. I wouldn’t suggest a strong or stern response lest we’d end up scaring away the media entirely. Instead, I have some suggestions for individuals, NGOs and the sector at large. See if it makes sense: *Be prepared at all times with a fact sheet on your accomplishments and a press note on what you want to say. Something like an FAQ about you. Keep it on soft so that you can forward to anyone anytime. Needless to say you have to keep it updated. *approach the media house with someone familiar with its workings. Some kind of a publicist would be a good idea. We need not individually hire one, but can have a common publicist to fall back on. *As someone personally witnessed how mishandling of media would set off a crises, I’d ask all of you to remember that you are handling a double edged sword. It could work to your advantage and it could work against as well. When in crises, please come out clean, state the facts and leave things at that. After all, that’s the only thing we can do. In such times, a media manager would come handy for NGOs. It’s not unheard of even in the case of individuals who have their reputation and image to protect. *As for Ashish’s case, put down your opinions on the issue (may be Ashish himself can do it). Don’t mention the name of the television channel or the person by name. Just a piece on how persons with disability should be treated and how stereotyping and typecasting actually eclipses their real accomplishments. We’ll see where we can publish it. I’ll personally see if my publication is interested in it. Hope this makes sense, Subramani On 1/29/18, Payal Kapoor wrote: > This message is eligible for Automatic Cleanup! (paya...@gmail.com) > Add cleanup rule: > https://www.boxbe.com/popup?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.boxbe.com%2Fcleanup%3Fkey%3DrOJr1XkROQe3aVoIouNcuaubY7rHjiGz5z%252FyXf8h3OY%253D%26token%3DSgjFPp4sRYcPe3hk76XuuQa9D0vciEPgtYZIPx8slERIG7J9ue8XU8nnGK5FQEfsALKilFeD9k7ZfuxNRYb%252FUXnZS4KaSfnnTT5ShPmuM3CHVWPyNfrl2cG2wEik84bVuJB68K33rIo%253D&tc_serial=36256873797&tc_rand=320660116&utm_source=stf&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ANNO_CLEANUP_ADD&utm_content=001 > More info: > http://blog.boxbe.com/general/boxbe-automatic-cleanup?tc_serial=36256873797&tc_rand=320660116&utm_source=stf&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ANNO_CLEANUP_ADD&utm_content=001 > -- L. Subramani, Snr. Subeditor, Deccan Herald, Bangalore, M: 91-7204322451 Facebook: Subramani Lakshminarayanan Twitter: lsubramani60873 Linkedin: L. Subramani website: http://www.lsubramani.com If you are someone who need personal help to cope with blindness, a little friendly chat about things that bother you or just an ear to listen to your fears and frustrations, please don't hesitate to get in touch. I've been through that and I can help. Just leave your questions and if you don't want to give your name, that's fine. Are you an HR exec, a volunteer, a friend/relative of someone going through blindness or do you want to understand disability because it's part of something that you are working on?... Pl get in touch for volunteer help. The list has now migrated to www.accessindia.inclusivehabitat.in You should now post to the id: a...@accessindia.inclusivehabitat.in Search for old postings at: http://www.mail-archive.com/accessindia@accessindia.org.in/ To unsubscribe send a message to accessindia-requ...@accessindia.org.in with the subject unsubscribe. To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in Disclaimer: 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails sent through this mailing list..
Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media
Since the main focus of the letter, article is to sensitise the able bodied, shouldn’t we also throw some light on stopping unnecessary favours like being compelled to sit when we visit banks with our companions sometimes our parents standing or strangely being allowed frisk free entry whilst others are scanned from head to toe? I know it’s slightly off topic, but such acts make me feel awkward and more conscious of my disability. Sent from my iPhone > On 31-Jan-2018, at 11:45 AM, Rajashekhar, Shekhar > wrote: > > We better clos this, lets not assume any individual's intention and make > useless discussions. > > -Original Message- > From: AccessIndia [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf > Of Rahul Bajaj > Sent: Wednesday, January 31, 2018 9:57 AM > To: geethas2...@gmail.com; AccessIndia: a list for discussing accessibility > and issues concerning the disabled. > Subject: Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media > > Geetha Ma'am, > > I would beg to slightly differ here. I think the view that you have outlined > is on the exact opposite end of the spectrum from the view that Arnab seems > to espouse. The best approach lies somewhere in the middle. I think having a > limiting disability is a supervening challenge which requires oodles of grit, > optimism and courage to deal with. Was it as easy for Ashish to go to Warten > or to work at JP Morgan as his sighted counterparts? Surely not. > > At the same time, my view is that they should not be deified or praised in a > way that comes across as patronizing. This can be done by demystifying their > challenges and asking more informed questions, as others have noted. > > Sent from my iPhone > >> On Jan 31, 2018, at 2:19 AM, Geetha Shamanna wrote: >> >> Hi all, >> >> We need to examine the issue from a broader perspective. The culture >> of deification of the disabled is more prevalent in India than in >> other countries, and not just in the media. Are movies on blind people >> in which they are portrayed as individuals with superhuman abilities >> or absolutely pitiable beings any different? Journalists are no >> different from movie makers. Some do their research and some don't. >> Republic TV, which is renowned for sensationalising all its news, >> cannot be expected to report this issue any differently. >> >> And of course, the disabled people themselves do their bit to promote >> this culture. Just look at the number of awards instituted to honour >> the disabled in India, many of them by NGO's working for the disabled. >> Can we justify the existence of all these awards? Are we not claiming >> to be 'special'? Do we really deserve to be honoured for living normal lives? >> >> Most disabled individuals who achieve 'success' forget that >> opportunity is the key. >> As long as some of us consider ourselves special and want the world to >> recognise us that way, the media will portray us as superhumans. If >> the disabled interviewee genuinely wishes to spread awareness through >> the interview and not just gain limelight, it is still possible to get >> the media to portray her in that light. But the initiative has to come >> from us; it is futile to blame the media for something for which we are >> mostly responsible. >> >> We cannot leave it to the media exclusively to create awareness among >> the public about how blind people live and function. Both NGO's >> working in the field as well as individuals should take responsibility >> and get out there to educate the public. The key here is for the >> public to see more and more blind people out and about shopping, going >> to the gym, taking a bus or whatever we do on a regular basis. I >> understand that the infrastructure in India makes it difficult for blind >> people to do these things independently. >> However, as long as we are not sufficiently visible to the public >> engaged in normal activities, these myths are likely to persist. >> >> Geetha >> >> -Original Message- >> From: AccessIndia [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On >> Behalf Of Rahul Bajaj >> Sent: 27 January 2018 16:28 >> To: accessindia@accessindia.org.in >> Subject: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media >> >> Hi everyone, >> >> I hope this message finds you well. I recently came across Ashish >> Goyal's interview to Arnab Goswami on Republic TV that was conducted >> on Republic >> Day: >> https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F
Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media
We better clos this, lets not assume any individual's intention and make useless discussions. -Original Message- From: AccessIndia [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf Of Rahul Bajaj Sent: Wednesday, January 31, 2018 9:57 AM To: geethas2...@gmail.com; AccessIndia: a list for discussing accessibility and issues concerning the disabled. Subject: Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media Geetha Ma'am, I would beg to slightly differ here. I think the view that you have outlined is on the exact opposite end of the spectrum from the view that Arnab seems to espouse. The best approach lies somewhere in the middle. I think having a limiting disability is a supervening challenge which requires oodles of grit, optimism and courage to deal with. Was it as easy for Ashish to go to Warten or to work at JP Morgan as his sighted counterparts? Surely not. At the same time, my view is that they should not be deified or praised in a way that comes across as patronizing. This can be done by demystifying their challenges and asking more informed questions, as others have noted. Sent from my iPhone > On Jan 31, 2018, at 2:19 AM, Geetha Shamanna wrote: > > Hi all, > > We need to examine the issue from a broader perspective. The culture > of deification of the disabled is more prevalent in India than in > other countries, and not just in the media. Are movies on blind people > in which they are portrayed as individuals with superhuman abilities > or absolutely pitiable beings any different? Journalists are no > different from movie makers. Some do their research and some don't. > Republic TV, which is renowned for sensationalising all its news, > cannot be expected to report this issue any differently. > > And of course, the disabled people themselves do their bit to promote > this culture. Just look at the number of awards instituted to honour > the disabled in India, many of them by NGO's working for the disabled. > Can we justify the existence of all these awards? Are we not claiming > to be 'special'? Do we really deserve to be honoured for living normal lives? > > Most disabled individuals who achieve 'success' forget that > opportunity is the key. > As long as some of us consider ourselves special and want the world to > recognise us that way, the media will portray us as superhumans. If > the disabled interviewee genuinely wishes to spread awareness through > the interview and not just gain limelight, it is still possible to get > the media to portray her in that light. But the initiative has to come > from us; it is futile to blame the media for something for which we are > mostly responsible. > > We cannot leave it to the media exclusively to create awareness among > the public about how blind people live and function. Both NGO's > working in the field as well as individuals should take responsibility > and get out there to educate the public. The key here is for the > public to see more and more blind people out and about shopping, going > to the gym, taking a bus or whatever we do on a regular basis. I > understand that the infrastructure in India makes it difficult for blind > people to do these things independently. > However, as long as we are not sufficiently visible to the public > engaged in normal activities, these myths are likely to persist. > > Geetha > > -Original Message- > From: AccessIndia [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On > Behalf Of Rahul Bajaj > Sent: 27 January 2018 16:28 > To: accessindia@accessindia.org.in > Subject: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media > > Hi everyone, > > I hope this message finds you well. I recently came across Ashish > Goyal's interview to Arnab Goswami on Republic TV that was conducted > on Republic > Day: > https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.re > publicworld.com%2Fs%2F20590%2Fmeet-the-first-visually-impaired-person& > data=02%7C01%7Csrajashe%40allegisgroup.com%7C31ef5e4f028347f5fe3308d56 > 863006d%7C371cb917b0984303b878c182ec8403ac%7C0%7C0%7C63652969677797444 > 2&sdata=ZucTkilICVE68rZiJAGeXZlq%2F5TvTMtRnxho1Yeqh9s%3D&reserved=0 > -to-attend-wharton-business-school > > At the outset, I think what Mr. Goyal has achieved is truly > commendable and worthy of appreciation. Despite the odds being heavily > stacked against him, he has overcome challenges that most would have > considered insurmountable. > However, I was somewhat troubled by the manner in which Mr. Goswami > sought to construct his narrative. More specifically, he called Mr. > Goyal an inspiration multiple times and framed his questions in such a > way that they made Mr. Goyal appear superhuman. For instance, the > i
Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media
Geetha Ma'am, I would beg to slightly differ here. I think the view that you have outlined is on the exact opposite end of the spectrum from the view that Arnab seems to espouse. The best approach lies somewhere in the middle. I think having a limiting disability is a supervening challenge which requires oodles of grit, optimism and courage to deal with. Was it as easy for Ashish to go to Warten or to work at JP Morgan as his sighted counterparts? Surely not. At the same time, my view is that they should not be deified or praised in a way that comes across as patronizing. This can be done by demystifying their challenges and asking more informed questions, as others have noted. Sent from my iPhone > On Jan 31, 2018, at 2:19 AM, Geetha Shamanna wrote: > > Hi all, > > We need to examine the issue from a broader perspective. The culture of > deification of the disabled is more prevalent in India than in other > countries, and not just in the media. Are movies on blind people in which > they are portrayed as individuals with superhuman abilities or absolutely > pitiable beings any different? Journalists are no different from movie > makers. Some do their research and some don't. Republic TV, which is > renowned for sensationalising all its news, cannot be expected to report > this issue any differently. > > And of course, the disabled people themselves do their bit to promote this > culture. Just look at the number of awards instituted to honour the disabled > in India, many of them by NGO's working for the disabled. Can we justify the > existence of all these awards? Are we not claiming to be 'special'? Do we > really deserve to be honoured for living normal lives? > > Most disabled individuals who achieve 'success' forget that opportunity is > the key. > As long as some of us consider ourselves special and want the world to > recognise us that way, the media will portray us as superhumans. If the > disabled interviewee genuinely wishes to spread awareness through the > interview and not just gain limelight, it is still possible to get the media > to portray her in that light. But the initiative has to come from us; it is > futile to blame the media for something for which we are mostly responsible. > > We cannot leave it to the media exclusively to create awareness among the > public about how blind people live and function. Both NGO's working in the > field as well as individuals should take responsibility and get out there to > educate the public. The key here is for the public to see more and more > blind people out and about shopping, going to the gym, taking a bus or > whatever we do on a regular basis. I understand that the infrastructure in > India makes it difficult for blind people to do these things independently. > However, as long as we are not sufficiently visible to the public engaged in > normal activities, these myths are likely to persist. > > Geetha > > -Original Message- > From: AccessIndia [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf > Of Rahul Bajaj > Sent: 27 January 2018 16:28 > To: accessindia@accessindia.org.in > Subject: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media > > Hi everyone, > > I hope this message finds you well. I recently came across Ashish Goyal's > interview to Arnab Goswami on Republic TV that was conducted on Republic > Day: > http://www.republicworld.com/s/20590/meet-the-first-visually-impaired-person > -to-attend-wharton-business-school > > At the outset, I think what Mr. Goyal has achieved is truly commendable and > worthy of appreciation. Despite the odds being heavily stacked against him, > he has overcome challenges that most would have considered insurmountable. > However, I was somewhat troubled by the manner in which Mr. Goswami sought > to construct his narrative. More specifically, he called Mr. Goyal an > inspiration multiple times and framed his questions in such a way that they > made Mr. Goyal appear superhuman. For instance, the interviewers considered > him an expert on overcoming obstacles as a student merely on the ground that > he has been able to accomplish so much despite his disability. This got me > thinking about whether the deification of the disabled in this fashion is a > healthy phenomenon. Doesn't it help perpetuate their otherization and > alienation which we work so hard to break down? Also, I wonder if we, as > disabled interviewees, have an obligation to actively engage with > interviewers to ensure that we are not helping perpetuate these harmful > stereotypes. > > To be clear, I don't have anything against Mr. Goyal personally. Indeed, I > confess to being all too willing to be made the subject matter of news
Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media
Hi all, We need to examine the issue from a broader perspective. The culture of deification of the disabled is more prevalent in India than in other countries, and not just in the media. Are movies on blind people in which they are portrayed as individuals with superhuman abilities or absolutely pitiable beings any different? Journalists are no different from movie makers. Some do their research and some don't. Republic TV, which is renowned for sensationalising all its news, cannot be expected to report this issue any differently. And of course, the disabled people themselves do their bit to promote this culture. Just look at the number of awards instituted to honour the disabled in India, many of them by NGO's working for the disabled. Can we justify the existence of all these awards? Are we not claiming to be 'special'? Do we really deserve to be honoured for living normal lives? Most disabled individuals who achieve 'success' forget that opportunity is the key. As long as some of us consider ourselves special and want the world to recognise us that way, the media will portray us as superhumans. If the disabled interviewee genuinely wishes to spread awareness through the interview and not just gain limelight, it is still possible to get the media to portray her in that light. But the initiative has to come from us; it is futile to blame the media for something for which we are mostly responsible. We cannot leave it to the media exclusively to create awareness among the public about how blind people live and function. Both NGO's working in the field as well as individuals should take responsibility and get out there to educate the public. The key here is for the public to see more and more blind people out and about shopping, going to the gym, taking a bus or whatever we do on a regular basis. I understand that the infrastructure in India makes it difficult for blind people to do these things independently. However, as long as we are not sufficiently visible to the public engaged in normal activities, these myths are likely to persist. Geetha -Original Message- From: AccessIndia [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf Of Rahul Bajaj Sent: 27 January 2018 16:28 To: accessindia@accessindia.org.in Subject: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media Hi everyone, I hope this message finds you well. I recently came across Ashish Goyal's interview to Arnab Goswami on Republic TV that was conducted on Republic Day: http://www.republicworld.com/s/20590/meet-the-first-visually-impaired-person -to-attend-wharton-business-school At the outset, I think what Mr. Goyal has achieved is truly commendable and worthy of appreciation. Despite the odds being heavily stacked against him, he has overcome challenges that most would have considered insurmountable. However, I was somewhat troubled by the manner in which Mr. Goswami sought to construct his narrative. More specifically, he called Mr. Goyal an inspiration multiple times and framed his questions in such a way that they made Mr. Goyal appear superhuman. For instance, the interviewers considered him an expert on overcoming obstacles as a student merely on the ground that he has been able to accomplish so much despite his disability. This got me thinking about whether the deification of the disabled in this fashion is a healthy phenomenon. Doesn't it help perpetuate their otherization and alienation which we work so hard to break down? Also, I wonder if we, as disabled interviewees, have an obligation to actively engage with interviewers to ensure that we are not helping perpetuate these harmful stereotypes. To be clear, I don't have anything against Mr. Goyal personally. Indeed, I confess to being all too willing to be made the subject matter of news stories like these. I do think that such stories serve the valuable purpose of driving home the point that, with access to opportunities and resources, there is nothing that the disabled cannot achieve. However, at the same time, I am wondering if this object can be attained without us being complicit in reinforcing harmful stereotypes. Best, Rahul Sent from my iPhone The list has now migrated to www.accessindia.inclusivehabitat.in You should now post to the id: a...@accessindia.inclusivehabitat.in Search for old postings at: http://www.mail-archive.com/accessindia@accessindia.org.in/ To unsubscribe send a message to accessindia-requ...@accessindia.org.in with the subject unsubscribe. To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in Disclaimer: 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails s
Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media
Poor journalism or brilliant journalism is a very subjective and personal view of the reader/listener/viewer. That is precisely why we have personal choices when we watch channels, read newspapers and tune into radio channels. We cannot dictate to a media person as to how he or she approaches a story. It is our choice however to decide if we want to be interviewed by someone or appear on a particular show. Also, we have the opportunity to educate/inform a journalist on our personal views when we are asked or when we are being interviewed ourselves. We live in a dynamic World and "control" is a bad word. Perceptions have to be changed vide a dynamic process which could be proof of concept. -Original Message- From: AccessIndia [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf Of Avichal Bhatnagar Sent: Tuesday, January 30, 2018 12:06 PM To: AccessIndia: a list for discussing accessibility and issues concerning the disabled. Subject: Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media Agree with you George Sir, but if any media person tries to take a wrong approach in the interview, shouldn't we tell him this there itself? Since Ashish did not have a problem, therefore we need to respect this interview. And its not poor journalism at all in my opinion. There are many approaches towards disability, and we need to respect them equally. On 1/30/18, George Abraham wrote: > Media persons and society have very low expectation from persons with > disability. They consider it awesome when someone with disability > lives a normal life . They think it is incredible. While it is > important to showcase stories of so called achievers, it is also > critical to focus on inputs that helped the person get to where he or > she has got to. Journeys of people who have made their mark are not > only inspirational, they are also educative and informative. While > assistive technology is important, quality of education is paramount. > The blind citizens of India receive education that is pathetic. It is > a miracle that people are still emerging and making a mark. > > On another note Arnabh claims to be a personal friend of Ashish. He > mentioned this to me when I had met with him during the India > Inclusive Summit a couple of years ago. Perhaps he knows enough to be > able to conduct an interview with Ashish. This interview should be put > down to poor journalism, insensitivity and irresponsibility. This happens all the time. > There are a number of things that are wrong with how people cover > disability in the media. > > > -Original Message- > From: AccessIndia [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On > Behalf Of Dinesh Kaushal > Sent: Tuesday, January 30, 2018 9:32 AM > To: 'AccessIndia: a list for discussing accessibility and issues > concerning the disabled.' > Subject: Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media > > Yes, I had observed earlier that he used to do extensive research > before interviewing popular people. > > Which means he didn't do his homework before interviewing Ashish. This > instance shows how much importance he accorded to the topic of disability. > > -Original Message- > From: AccessIndia [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On > Behalf Of Rahul Bajaj > Sent: Tuesday, January 30, 2018 9:08 AM > To: AccessIndia: a list for discussing accessibility and issues > concerning the disabled. > Subject: Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media > > I agree - it was clear that Arnab had done no preparation for the > interview or made the slightest attempt to figure how they function. > Not a single question was based on specifics. It was clear that the > sole purpose of the interview was to drive home the point that this is so inspiring. > > Best, > Rahul > > Sent from my iPhone > >> On Jan 29, 2018, at 10:54 PM, Turabh wrote: >> >> If the media wants to confer celebrity status on the disabled , >> they > ought to at least prepare specific questions. Parroting the same > thread for all disabled persons is pointless and baseless . >> >> Sent from my iPhone >> >>> On 29-Jan-2018, at 9:40 PM, Rahul Bajaj > wrote: >>> >>> Avichal, in addition to the brilliant points that Alok and Dinesh >>> have > made, I also think that it is worth remembering that this interview is > in many ways emblematic of the way mainstream media views the > disabled. So the interview cannot be viewed in isolation. Further, how > often do mainstream anchors like Arnab cover the disabled? Given how > rarely this happens, it is important for us to ensure that the > portrayal is not such as to reinforce harmful stereotypes. >>> >&
Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media
Glad and grateful that such a discussion has finally been initiated on this forum, with some very valid points raised by a lot of members. How others view, and portray us is largely our own responsibility to direct, and engaging with these regressive forms of media portrayal is very necessary, whether it yields immediate realisations or not. Its a shame if any1 things otherwise, and that has been the main obstacle holding us back: members of our own community who choose to remain complacent and ignorant of the larger discourse of disability and social access. Anyway, let us not let such deterrents hold us back, I just have 1 small suggestion regarding the letter: You might want to write this in the 1st-person plural, rather than as an individual, for it to have greater impact, and even if not, then do say in the beginning that you write this on behalf of the entire disabled community, who in unison concurs with the views put forth in the letter. 1 more thing: whether the interviewer is a friend of the interviewee or not, is irrelevant to how he conducts the interview, and what information he wants to make public. I really request for more of such discussions to take place, because what we convey about ourselves to the mainstream plays a huge part in determining how we are viewed and portrayed, and in turn, how much inclusion and access we are "allowed", Shireen. On 1/30/18, Avichal Bhatnagar wrote: > Again, its a completely useless discussion. > Ashish was interviewed, and since he doesn't have any problem with it, > it is useless to suggest otherwise. > When anybody amongst you gets interviewed, then you can of course tell > the anchor how to ask and what to ask. > And, its not for the first time that Arnab covered disability; he had > also interviewed Nidhi goel when she had been harassed at Mexico > airport. > > > On 1/30/18, turab chimthanawala wrote: >> On 1/30/18, Dinesh Kaushal wrote: >>> Yes, I had observed earlier that he used to do extensive research before >>> interviewing popular people. >>> >>> Which means he didn't do his homework before interviewing Ashish. This >>> instance shows how much importance he accorded to the topic of >>> disability. >>> >>> -Original Message- >>> From: AccessIndia [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On >>> Behalf >>> Of Rahul Bajaj >>> Sent: Tuesday, January 30, 2018 9:08 AM >>> To: AccessIndia: a list for discussing accessibility and issues >>> concerning >>> the disabled. >>> Subject: Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media >>> >>> I agree - it was clear that Arnab had done no preparation for the >>> interview >>> or made the slightest attempt to figure how they function. Not a single >>> question was based on specifics. It was clear that the sole purpose of >>> the >>> interview was to drive home the point that this is so inspiring. >>> >>> Best, >>> Rahul >>> >>> Sent from my iPhone >>> >>>> On Jan 29, 2018, at 10:54 PM, Turabh wrote: >>>> >>>> If the media wants to confer celebrity status on the disabled , they >>> ought to at least prepare specific questions. Parroting the same thread >>> for all disabled persons is pointless and baseless . >>>> >>>> Sent from my iPhone >>>> >>>>> On 29-Jan-2018, at 9:40 PM, Rahul Bajaj >>> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> Avichal, in addition to the brilliant points that Alok and Dinesh have >>> made, I also think that it is worth remembering that this interview is in >>> many ways emblematic of the way mainstream media views the disabled. So >>> the >>> interview cannot be viewed in isolation. Further, how often do mainstream >>> anchors like Arnab cover the disabled? Given how rarely this happens, it >>> is >>> important for us to ensure that the portrayal is not such as to reinforce >>> harmful stereotypes. >>>>> >>>>> Sent from my iPhone >>>>> >>>>>> On Jan 29, 2018, at 8:12 PM, Dinesh Kaushal >>>>>> >>> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>> You are right that we should not tell Ashish how he should represent >>>>>> his >>> situation. >>>>>> >>>>>> But we can certainly discuss among ourselves how we want to be >>> represented and whether we could do anything to change that. Anyone of us >>> who have any experience regarding media, know that often we do not have >>>
Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media
Agree with you George Sir, but if any media person tries to take a wrong approach in the interview, shouldn't we tell him this there itself? Since Ashish did not have a problem, therefore we need to respect this interview. And its not poor journalism at all in my opinion. There are many approaches towards disability, and we need to respect them equally. On 1/30/18, George Abraham wrote: > Media persons and society have very low expectation from persons with > disability. They consider it awesome when someone with disability lives a > normal life . They think it is incredible. While it is important to > showcase > stories of so called achievers, it is also critical to focus on inputs that > helped the person get to where he or she has got to. Journeys of people who > have made their mark are not only inspirational, they are also educative > and > informative. While assistive technology is important, quality of education > is paramount. The blind citizens of India receive education that is > pathetic. It is a miracle that people are still emerging and making a mark. > > On another note Arnabh claims to be a personal friend of Ashish. He > mentioned this to me when I had met with him during the India Inclusive > Summit a couple of years ago. Perhaps he knows enough to be able to conduct > an interview with Ashish. This interview should be put down to poor > journalism, insensitivity and irresponsibility. This happens all the time. > There are a number of things that are wrong with how people cover > disability in the media. > > > -Original Message- > From: AccessIndia [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf > Of Dinesh Kaushal > Sent: Tuesday, January 30, 2018 9:32 AM > To: 'AccessIndia: a list for discussing accessibility and issues concerning > the disabled.' > Subject: Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media > > Yes, I had observed earlier that he used to do extensive research before > interviewing popular people. > > Which means he didn't do his homework before interviewing Ashish. This > instance shows how much importance he accorded to the topic of disability. > > -Original Message- > From: AccessIndia [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf > Of Rahul Bajaj > Sent: Tuesday, January 30, 2018 9:08 AM > To: AccessIndia: a list for discussing accessibility and issues concerning > the disabled. > Subject: Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media > > I agree - it was clear that Arnab had done no preparation for the interview > or made the slightest attempt to figure how they function. Not a single > question was based on specifics. It was clear that the sole purpose of the > interview was to drive home the point that this is so inspiring. > > Best, > Rahul > > Sent from my iPhone > >> On Jan 29, 2018, at 10:54 PM, Turabh wrote: >> >> If the media wants to confer celebrity status on the disabled , >> they > ought to at least prepare specific questions. Parroting the same thread > for all disabled persons is pointless and baseless . >> >> Sent from my iPhone >> >>> On 29-Jan-2018, at 9:40 PM, Rahul Bajaj > wrote: >>> >>> Avichal, in addition to the brilliant points that Alok and Dinesh >>> have > made, I also think that it is worth remembering that this interview is in > many ways emblematic of the way mainstream media views the disabled. So the > interview cannot be viewed in isolation. Further, how often do mainstream > anchors like Arnab cover the disabled? Given how rarely this happens, it is > important for us to ensure that the portrayal is not such as to reinforce > harmful stereotypes. >>> >>> Sent from my iPhone >>> >>>> On Jan 29, 2018, at 8:12 PM, Dinesh Kaushal >>>> > wrote: >>>> >>>> You are right that we should not tell Ashish how he should represent >>>> his > situation. >>>> >>>> But we can certainly discuss among ourselves how we want to be > represented and whether we could do anything to change that. Anyone of us > who have any experience regarding media, know that often we do not have > much > control about how we want to be represented. >>>> >>>> We can also discuss what things we want to represent, but each > individual has full right how they want to be represented. >>>> >>>> Having said that, there are also some reasons why it would help >>>> everyone > if we could dimistify why we achieved what we did. Actually the point of > such interviews is not that we just praise people, we should also learn how > they did what they d
Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media
Again, its a completely useless discussion. Ashish was interviewed, and since he doesn't have any problem with it, it is useless to suggest otherwise. When anybody amongst you gets interviewed, then you can of course tell the anchor how to ask and what to ask. And, its not for the first time that Arnab covered disability; he had also interviewed Nidhi goel when she had been harassed at Mexico airport. On 1/30/18, turab chimthanawala wrote: > On 1/30/18, Dinesh Kaushal wrote: >> Yes, I had observed earlier that he used to do extensive research before >> interviewing popular people. >> >> Which means he didn't do his homework before interviewing Ashish. This >> instance shows how much importance he accorded to the topic of disability. >> >> -Original Message- >> From: AccessIndia [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On >> Behalf >> Of Rahul Bajaj >> Sent: Tuesday, January 30, 2018 9:08 AM >> To: AccessIndia: a list for discussing accessibility and issues concerning >> the disabled. >> Subject: Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media >> >> I agree - it was clear that Arnab had done no preparation for the >> interview >> or made the slightest attempt to figure how they function. Not a single >> question was based on specifics. It was clear that the sole purpose of the >> interview was to drive home the point that this is so inspiring. >> >> Best, >> Rahul >> >> Sent from my iPhone >> >>> On Jan 29, 2018, at 10:54 PM, Turabh wrote: >>> >>> If the media wants to confer celebrity status on the disabled , they >> ought to at least prepare specific questions. Parroting the same thread >> for all disabled persons is pointless and baseless . >>> >>> Sent from my iPhone >>> >>>> On 29-Jan-2018, at 9:40 PM, Rahul Bajaj >> wrote: >>>> >>>> Avichal, in addition to the brilliant points that Alok and Dinesh have >> made, I also think that it is worth remembering that this interview is in >> many ways emblematic of the way mainstream media views the disabled. So >> the >> interview cannot be viewed in isolation. Further, how often do mainstream >> anchors like Arnab cover the disabled? Given how rarely this happens, it >> is >> important for us to ensure that the portrayal is not such as to reinforce >> harmful stereotypes. >>>> >>>> Sent from my iPhone >>>> >>>>> On Jan 29, 2018, at 8:12 PM, Dinesh Kaushal >> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> You are right that we should not tell Ashish how he should represent >>>>> his >> situation. >>>>> >>>>> But we can certainly discuss among ourselves how we want to be >> represented and whether we could do anything to change that. Anyone of us >> who have any experience regarding media, know that often we do not have >> much >> control about how we want to be represented. >>>>> >>>>> We can also discuss what things we want to represent, but each >> individual has full right how they want to be represented. >>>>> >>>>> Having said that, there are also some reasons why it would help >>>>> everyone >> if we could dimistify why we achieved what we did. Actually the point of >> such interviews is not that we just praise people, we should also learn >> how >> they did what they did. So I can only request everyone that please >> acknowledge role of assistive technology when you talk about your >> achievements. >>>>> >>>>> Not acknowledging role of assistive technology is equivalent for a >> scientist not disclosing the tools used for the discovery and just >> claiming >> that she discovered what she did. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> -Original Message- >>>>> From: AccessIndia [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On >>>>> Behalf Of Avichal Bhatnagar >>>>> Sent: Monday, January 29, 2018 6:31 PM >>>>> To: AccessIndia: a list for discussing accessibility and issues >>>>> concerning the disabled. >>>>> Subject: Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media >>>>> >>>>> Well, I completely disagree with this. >>>>> If Ashish doesn't find anything wrong in the way his interview was >> conducted, then who are we to impose our viewpoint on him? >>>>> Its high time that we stop poking our noses unn
Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media
Rahul, You were recently interviewed on a TV channel I did not get to watch. How did that go?. -Original Message- From: AccessIndia [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf Of Rahul Bajaj Sent: Tuesday, January 30, 2018 9:08 AM To: AccessIndia: a list for discussing accessibility and issues concerning the disabled. Subject: Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media I agree - it was clear that Arnab had done no preparation for the interview or made the slightest attempt to figure how they function. Not a single question was based on specifics. It was clear that the sole purpose of the interview was to drive home the point that this is so inspiring. Best, Rahul Sent from my iPhone > On Jan 29, 2018, at 10:54 PM, Turabh wrote: > > If the media wants to confer celebrity status on the disabled , they ought to at least prepare specific questions. Parroting the same thread for all disabled persons is pointless and baseless . > > Sent from my iPhone > >> On 29-Jan-2018, at 9:40 PM, Rahul Bajaj wrote: >> >> Avichal, in addition to the brilliant points that Alok and Dinesh have made, I also think that it is worth remembering that this interview is in many ways emblematic of the way mainstream media views the disabled. So the interview cannot be viewed in isolation. Further, how often do mainstream anchors like Arnab cover the disabled? Given how rarely this happens, it is important for us to ensure that the portrayal is not such as to reinforce harmful stereotypes. >> >> Sent from my iPhone >> >>> On Jan 29, 2018, at 8:12 PM, Dinesh Kaushal wrote: >>> >>> You are right that we should not tell Ashish how he should represent his situation. >>> >>> But we can certainly discuss among ourselves how we want to be represented and whether we could do anything to change that. Anyone of us who have any experience regarding media, know that often we do not have much control about how we want to be represented. >>> >>> We can also discuss what things we want to represent, but each individual has full right how they want to be represented. >>> >>> Having said that, there are also some reasons why it would help everyone if we could dimistify why we achieved what we did. Actually the point of such interviews is not that we just praise people, we should also learn how they did what they did. So I can only request everyone that please acknowledge role of assistive technology when you talk about your achievements. >>> >>> Not acknowledging role of assistive technology is equivalent for a scientist not disclosing the tools used for the discovery and just claiming that she discovered what she did. >>> >>> >>> >>> -Original Message- >>> From: AccessIndia [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On >>> Behalf Of Avichal Bhatnagar >>> Sent: Monday, January 29, 2018 6:31 PM >>> To: AccessIndia: a list for discussing accessibility and issues >>> concerning the disabled. >>> Subject: Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media >>> >>> Well, I completely disagree with this. >>> If Ashish doesn't find anything wrong in the way his interview was conducted, then who are we to impose our viewpoint on him? >>> Its high time that we stop poking our noses unnecessarily in every affair. >>> >>>> On 1/29/18, Rahul Bajaj wrote: >>>> Thanks for your thoughtful responses, everyone. I did engage with >>>> Ashish on this issue on Twitter, and our conversation can be found >>>> here: https://twitter.com/Rahul400/with_replies >>>> His handle is InsaneOdyssey. >>>> >>>> To his credit, he did appreciate my viewpoint but was of the view >>>> that all accomplishments should be celebrated, by the able-bodied >>>> or the disabled. With respect, I think that did not address the >>>> central point that I was trying to make. >>>> >>>> Based on Alok's suggestion, I think we should write an open letter >>>> to Arnab and get it published on a platform like the Wire or >>>> Scroll. I am happy to craft it and share it with others who concur >>>> with the sentiment that I have voiced here. I think these >>>> principles are important and ought to be voiced, irrespective of >>>> how many people read them. Does this make sense? >>>> >>>> Best, >>>> Rahul >>>> >>>>> On 29/01/2018, wheelchairman.nlc wrote: >>>>> Please clarify whether SC/SC or OBC fall under state list or >>>>> concur
Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media
Media persons and society have very low expectation from persons with disability. They consider it awesome when someone with disability lives a normal life . They think it is incredible. While it is important to showcase stories of so called achievers, it is also critical to focus on inputs that helped the person get to where he or she has got to. Journeys of people who have made their mark are not only inspirational, they are also educative and informative. While assistive technology is important, quality of education is paramount. The blind citizens of India receive education that is pathetic. It is a miracle that people are still emerging and making a mark. On another note Arnabh claims to be a personal friend of Ashish. He mentioned this to me when I had met with him during the India Inclusive Summit a couple of years ago. Perhaps he knows enough to be able to conduct an interview with Ashish. This interview should be put down to poor journalism, insensitivity and irresponsibility. This happens all the time. There are a number of things that are wrong with how people cover disability in the media. -Original Message- From: AccessIndia [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf Of Dinesh Kaushal Sent: Tuesday, January 30, 2018 9:32 AM To: 'AccessIndia: a list for discussing accessibility and issues concerning the disabled.' Subject: Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media Yes, I had observed earlier that he used to do extensive research before interviewing popular people. Which means he didn't do his homework before interviewing Ashish. This instance shows how much importance he accorded to the topic of disability. -Original Message- From: AccessIndia [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf Of Rahul Bajaj Sent: Tuesday, January 30, 2018 9:08 AM To: AccessIndia: a list for discussing accessibility and issues concerning the disabled. Subject: Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media I agree - it was clear that Arnab had done no preparation for the interview or made the slightest attempt to figure how they function. Not a single question was based on specifics. It was clear that the sole purpose of the interview was to drive home the point that this is so inspiring. Best, Rahul Sent from my iPhone > On Jan 29, 2018, at 10:54 PM, Turabh wrote: > > If the media wants to confer celebrity status on the disabled , > they ought to at least prepare specific questions. Parroting the same thread for all disabled persons is pointless and baseless . > > Sent from my iPhone > >> On 29-Jan-2018, at 9:40 PM, Rahul Bajaj wrote: >> >> Avichal, in addition to the brilliant points that Alok and Dinesh >> have made, I also think that it is worth remembering that this interview is in many ways emblematic of the way mainstream media views the disabled. So the interview cannot be viewed in isolation. Further, how often do mainstream anchors like Arnab cover the disabled? Given how rarely this happens, it is important for us to ensure that the portrayal is not such as to reinforce harmful stereotypes. >> >> Sent from my iPhone >> >>> On Jan 29, 2018, at 8:12 PM, Dinesh Kaushal >>> wrote: >>> >>> You are right that we should not tell Ashish how he should represent >>> his situation. >>> >>> But we can certainly discuss among ourselves how we want to be represented and whether we could do anything to change that. Anyone of us who have any experience regarding media, know that often we do not have much control about how we want to be represented. >>> >>> We can also discuss what things we want to represent, but each individual has full right how they want to be represented. >>> >>> Having said that, there are also some reasons why it would help >>> everyone if we could dimistify why we achieved what we did. Actually the point of such interviews is not that we just praise people, we should also learn how they did what they did. So I can only request everyone that please acknowledge role of assistive technology when you talk about your achievements. >>> >>> Not acknowledging role of assistive technology is equivalent for a scientist not disclosing the tools used for the discovery and just claiming that she discovered what she did. >>> >>> >>> >>> -Original Message- >>> From: AccessIndia [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On >>> Behalf Of Avichal Bhatnagar >>> Sent: Monday, January 29, 2018 6:31 PM >>> To: AccessIndia: a list for discussing accessibility and issues >>> concerning the disabled. >>> Subject: Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media >>> >>> Well, I completely disagree w
Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media
On 1/30/18, Dinesh Kaushal wrote: > Yes, I had observed earlier that he used to do extensive research before > interviewing popular people. > > Which means he didn't do his homework before interviewing Ashish. This > instance shows how much importance he accorded to the topic of disability. > > -Original Message- > From: AccessIndia [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf > Of Rahul Bajaj > Sent: Tuesday, January 30, 2018 9:08 AM > To: AccessIndia: a list for discussing accessibility and issues concerning > the disabled. > Subject: Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media > > I agree - it was clear that Arnab had done no preparation for the interview > or made the slightest attempt to figure how they function. Not a single > question was based on specifics. It was clear that the sole purpose of the > interview was to drive home the point that this is so inspiring. > > Best, > Rahul > > Sent from my iPhone > >> On Jan 29, 2018, at 10:54 PM, Turabh wrote: >> >> If the media wants to confer celebrity status on the disabled , they > ought to at least prepare specific questions. Parroting the same thread > for all disabled persons is pointless and baseless . >> >> Sent from my iPhone >> >>> On 29-Jan-2018, at 9:40 PM, Rahul Bajaj > wrote: >>> >>> Avichal, in addition to the brilliant points that Alok and Dinesh have > made, I also think that it is worth remembering that this interview is in > many ways emblematic of the way mainstream media views the disabled. So the > interview cannot be viewed in isolation. Further, how often do mainstream > anchors like Arnab cover the disabled? Given how rarely this happens, it is > important for us to ensure that the portrayal is not such as to reinforce > harmful stereotypes. >>> >>> Sent from my iPhone >>> >>>> On Jan 29, 2018, at 8:12 PM, Dinesh Kaushal > wrote: >>>> >>>> You are right that we should not tell Ashish how he should represent >>>> his > situation. >>>> >>>> But we can certainly discuss among ourselves how we want to be > represented and whether we could do anything to change that. Anyone of us > who have any experience regarding media, know that often we do not have > much > control about how we want to be represented. >>>> >>>> We can also discuss what things we want to represent, but each > individual has full right how they want to be represented. >>>> >>>> Having said that, there are also some reasons why it would help >>>> everyone > if we could dimistify why we achieved what we did. Actually the point of > such interviews is not that we just praise people, we should also learn how > they did what they did. So I can only request everyone that please > acknowledge role of assistive technology when you talk about your > achievements. >>>> >>>> Not acknowledging role of assistive technology is equivalent for a > scientist not disclosing the tools used for the discovery and just claiming > that she discovered what she did. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> -Original Message- >>>> From: AccessIndia [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On >>>> Behalf Of Avichal Bhatnagar >>>> Sent: Monday, January 29, 2018 6:31 PM >>>> To: AccessIndia: a list for discussing accessibility and issues >>>> concerning the disabled. >>>> Subject: Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media >>>> >>>> Well, I completely disagree with this. >>>> If Ashish doesn't find anything wrong in the way his interview was > conducted, then who are we to impose our viewpoint on him? >>>> Its high time that we stop poking our noses unnecessarily in every > affair. >>>> >>>>> On 1/29/18, Rahul Bajaj wrote: >>>>> Thanks for your thoughtful responses, everyone. I did engage with >>>>> Ashish on this issue on Twitter, and our conversation can be found >>>>> here: https://twitter.com/Rahul400/with_replies >>>>> His handle is InsaneOdyssey. >>>>> >>>>> To his credit, he did appreciate my viewpoint but was of the view >>>>> that all accomplishments should be celebrated, by the able-bodied >>>>> or the disabled. With respect, I think that did not address the >>>>> central point that I was trying to make. >>>>> >>>>> Based on Alok's suggestion, I think we should write an open letter >>
Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media
Yes, I had observed earlier that he used to do extensive research before interviewing popular people. Which means he didn't do his homework before interviewing Ashish. This instance shows how much importance he accorded to the topic of disability. -Original Message- From: AccessIndia [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf Of Rahul Bajaj Sent: Tuesday, January 30, 2018 9:08 AM To: AccessIndia: a list for discussing accessibility and issues concerning the disabled. Subject: Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media I agree - it was clear that Arnab had done no preparation for the interview or made the slightest attempt to figure how they function. Not a single question was based on specifics. It was clear that the sole purpose of the interview was to drive home the point that this is so inspiring. Best, Rahul Sent from my iPhone > On Jan 29, 2018, at 10:54 PM, Turabh wrote: > > If the media wants to confer celebrity status on the disabled , they ought to at least prepare specific questions. Parroting the same thread for all disabled persons is pointless and baseless . > > Sent from my iPhone > >> On 29-Jan-2018, at 9:40 PM, Rahul Bajaj wrote: >> >> Avichal, in addition to the brilliant points that Alok and Dinesh have made, I also think that it is worth remembering that this interview is in many ways emblematic of the way mainstream media views the disabled. So the interview cannot be viewed in isolation. Further, how often do mainstream anchors like Arnab cover the disabled? Given how rarely this happens, it is important for us to ensure that the portrayal is not such as to reinforce harmful stereotypes. >> >> Sent from my iPhone >> >>> On Jan 29, 2018, at 8:12 PM, Dinesh Kaushal wrote: >>> >>> You are right that we should not tell Ashish how he should represent his situation. >>> >>> But we can certainly discuss among ourselves how we want to be represented and whether we could do anything to change that. Anyone of us who have any experience regarding media, know that often we do not have much control about how we want to be represented. >>> >>> We can also discuss what things we want to represent, but each individual has full right how they want to be represented. >>> >>> Having said that, there are also some reasons why it would help everyone if we could dimistify why we achieved what we did. Actually the point of such interviews is not that we just praise people, we should also learn how they did what they did. So I can only request everyone that please acknowledge role of assistive technology when you talk about your achievements. >>> >>> Not acknowledging role of assistive technology is equivalent for a scientist not disclosing the tools used for the discovery and just claiming that she discovered what she did. >>> >>> >>> >>> -Original Message- >>> From: AccessIndia [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On >>> Behalf Of Avichal Bhatnagar >>> Sent: Monday, January 29, 2018 6:31 PM >>> To: AccessIndia: a list for discussing accessibility and issues >>> concerning the disabled. >>> Subject: Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media >>> >>> Well, I completely disagree with this. >>> If Ashish doesn't find anything wrong in the way his interview was conducted, then who are we to impose our viewpoint on him? >>> Its high time that we stop poking our noses unnecessarily in every affair. >>> >>>> On 1/29/18, Rahul Bajaj wrote: >>>> Thanks for your thoughtful responses, everyone. I did engage with >>>> Ashish on this issue on Twitter, and our conversation can be found >>>> here: https://twitter.com/Rahul400/with_replies >>>> His handle is InsaneOdyssey. >>>> >>>> To his credit, he did appreciate my viewpoint but was of the view >>>> that all accomplishments should be celebrated, by the able-bodied >>>> or the disabled. With respect, I think that did not address the >>>> central point that I was trying to make. >>>> >>>> Based on Alok's suggestion, I think we should write an open letter >>>> to Arnab and get it published on a platform like the Wire or >>>> Scroll. I am happy to craft it and share it with others who concur >>>> with the sentiment that I have voiced here. I think these >>>> principles are important and ought to be voiced, irrespective of >>>> how many people read them. Does this make sense? >>>> >>>> Best, >>>> Rahul >>>> >
Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media
I agree - it was clear that Arnab had done no preparation for the interview or made the slightest attempt to figure how they function. Not a single question was based on specifics. It was clear that the sole purpose of the interview was to drive home the point that this is so inspiring. Best, Rahul Sent from my iPhone > On Jan 29, 2018, at 10:54 PM, Turabh wrote: > > If the media wants to confer celebrity status on the disabled , they > ought to at least prepare specific questions. Parroting the same thread for > all disabled persons is pointless and baseless . > > Sent from my iPhone > >> On 29-Jan-2018, at 9:40 PM, Rahul Bajaj wrote: >> >> Avichal, in addition to the brilliant points that Alok and Dinesh have made, >> I also think that it is worth remembering that this interview is in many >> ways emblematic of the way mainstream media views the disabled. So the >> interview cannot be viewed in isolation. Further, how often do mainstream >> anchors like Arnab cover the disabled? Given how rarely this happens, it is >> important for us to ensure that the portrayal is not such as to reinforce >> harmful stereotypes. >> >> Sent from my iPhone >> >>> On Jan 29, 2018, at 8:12 PM, Dinesh Kaushal >>> wrote: >>> >>> You are right that we should not tell Ashish how he should represent his >>> situation. >>> >>> But we can certainly discuss among ourselves how we want to be represented >>> and whether we could do anything to change that. Anyone of us who have any >>> experience regarding media, know that often we do not have much control >>> about how we want to be represented. >>> >>> We can also discuss what things we want to represent, but each individual >>> has full right how they want to be represented. >>> >>> Having said that, there are also some reasons why it would help everyone if >>> we could dimistify why we achieved what we did. Actually the point of such >>> interviews is not that we just praise people, we should also learn how they >>> did what they did. So I can only request everyone that please acknowledge >>> role of assistive technology when you talk about your achievements. >>> >>> Not acknowledging role of assistive technology is equivalent for a >>> scientist not disclosing the tools used for the discovery and just claiming >>> that she discovered what she did. >>> >>> >>> >>> -Original Message- >>> From: AccessIndia [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf >>> Of Avichal Bhatnagar >>> Sent: Monday, January 29, 2018 6:31 PM >>> To: AccessIndia: a list for discussing accessibility and issues concerning >>> the disabled. >>> Subject: Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media >>> >>> Well, I completely disagree with this. >>> If Ashish doesn't find anything wrong in the way his interview was >>> conducted, then who are we to impose our viewpoint on him? >>> Its high time that we stop poking our noses unnecessarily in every affair. >>> >>>> On 1/29/18, Rahul Bajaj wrote: >>>> Thanks for your thoughtful responses, everyone. I did engage with >>>> Ashish on this issue on Twitter, and our conversation can be found >>>> here: https://twitter.com/Rahul400/with_replies >>>> His handle is InsaneOdyssey. >>>> >>>> To his credit, he did appreciate my viewpoint but was of the view that >>>> all accomplishments should be celebrated, by the able-bodied or the >>>> disabled. With respect, I think that did not address the central point >>>> that I was trying to make. >>>> >>>> Based on Alok's suggestion, I think we should write an open letter to >>>> Arnab and get it published on a platform like the Wire or Scroll. I am >>>> happy to craft it and share it with others who concur with the >>>> sentiment that I have voiced here. I think these principles are >>>> important and ought to be voiced, irrespective of how many people read >>>> them. Does this make sense? >>>> >>>> Best, >>>> Rahul >>>> >>>>> On 29/01/2018, wheelchairman.nlc wrote: >>>>> Please clarify whether SC/SC or OBC fall under state list or >>>>> concurrent list. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone. >>>>> ---
Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media
If the media wants to confer celebrity status on the disabled , they ought to at least prepare specific questions. Parroting the same thread for all disabled persons is pointless and baseless . Sent from my iPhone > On 29-Jan-2018, at 9:40 PM, Rahul Bajaj wrote: > > Avichal, in addition to the brilliant points that Alok and Dinesh have made, > I also think that it is worth remembering that this interview is in many ways > emblematic of the way mainstream media views the disabled. So the interview > cannot be viewed in isolation. Further, how often do mainstream anchors like > Arnab cover the disabled? Given how rarely this happens, it is important for > us to ensure that the portrayal is not such as to reinforce harmful > stereotypes. > > Sent from my iPhone > >> On Jan 29, 2018, at 8:12 PM, Dinesh Kaushal >> wrote: >> >> You are right that we should not tell Ashish how he should represent his >> situation. >> >> But we can certainly discuss among ourselves how we want to be represented >> and whether we could do anything to change that. Anyone of us who have any >> experience regarding media, know that often we do not have much control >> about how we want to be represented. >> >> We can also discuss what things we want to represent, but each individual >> has full right how they want to be represented. >> >> Having said that, there are also some reasons why it would help everyone if >> we could dimistify why we achieved what we did. Actually the point of such >> interviews is not that we just praise people, we should also learn how they >> did what they did. So I can only request everyone that please acknowledge >> role of assistive technology when you talk about your achievements. >> >> Not acknowledging role of assistive technology is equivalent for a scientist >> not disclosing the tools used for the discovery and just claiming that she >> discovered what she did. >> >> >> >> -Original Message- >> From: AccessIndia [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf >> Of Avichal Bhatnagar >> Sent: Monday, January 29, 2018 6:31 PM >> To: AccessIndia: a list for discussing accessibility and issues concerning >> the disabled. >> Subject: Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media >> >> Well, I completely disagree with this. >> If Ashish doesn't find anything wrong in the way his interview was >> conducted, then who are we to impose our viewpoint on him? >> Its high time that we stop poking our noses unnecessarily in every affair. >> >>> On 1/29/18, Rahul Bajaj wrote: >>> Thanks for your thoughtful responses, everyone. I did engage with >>> Ashish on this issue on Twitter, and our conversation can be found >>> here: https://twitter.com/Rahul400/with_replies >>> His handle is InsaneOdyssey. >>> >>> To his credit, he did appreciate my viewpoint but was of the view that >>> all accomplishments should be celebrated, by the able-bodied or the >>> disabled. With respect, I think that did not address the central point >>> that I was trying to make. >>> >>> Based on Alok's suggestion, I think we should write an open letter to >>> Arnab and get it published on a platform like the Wire or Scroll. I am >>> happy to craft it and share it with others who concur with the >>> sentiment that I have voiced here. I think these principles are >>> important and ought to be voiced, irrespective of how many people read >>> them. Does this make sense? >>> >>> Best, >>> Rahul >>> >>>> On 29/01/2018, wheelchairman.nlc wrote: >>>> Please clarify whether SC/SC or OBC fall under state list or >>>> concurrent list. >>>> >>>> >>>> Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone. >>>> Original message From: avinash shahi >>>> Date: 29/01/2018 15:33 (GMT+05:30) To: >>>> "AccessIndia: a list for discussing accessibility and issues >>>> concerning the disabled." Subject: >>>> Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media This discussion >>>> reminds me of the late Stella Young who put is so bluntly that >>>> disabled people are presented as 'inspiration porn' by the media. In >>>> India our Prime Minister himself is hellbent in bestowing divinity to >>>> our ordinary and mortal lives. For those interested who have joined >>>> the group lately or have missed
Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media
Hi all, I concur with the thought on this thread. Well heartiest congratulations to Ashish o n his accomplishments! But the interview was patronising rather than inspiring. The least news anchors can do if at all they want to make some sense of the interview is to ask about the challenges faced and the means adopted to counter them. Do r instance, in stead of asking stupid questions of world economy , if Ashish would have been asked about how he dealt with long balance sheets or complex ratios. If the media wants to confer celebrity status, they ought to have the courtesy to plan suitable questions. Sent from my iPhone > On 29-Jan-2018, at 9:40 PM, Rahul Bajaj wrote: > > Avichal, in addition to the brilliant points that Alok and Dinesh have made, > I also think that it is worth remembering that this interview is in many ways > emblematic of the way mainstream media views the disabled. So the interview > cannot be viewed in isolation. Further, how often do mainstream anchors like > Arnab cover the disabled? Given how rarely this happens, it is important for > us to ensure that the portrayal is not such as to reinforce harmful > stereotypes. > > Sent from my iPhone > >> On Jan 29, 2018, at 8:12 PM, Dinesh Kaushal >> wrote: >> >> You are right that we should not tell Ashish how he should represent his >> situation. >> >> But we can certainly discuss among ourselves how we want to be represented >> and whether we could do anything to change that. Anyone of us who have any >> experience regarding media, know that often we do not have much control >> about how we want to be represented. >> >> We can also discuss what things we want to represent, but each individual >> has full right how they want to be represented. >> >> Having said that, there are also some reasons why it would help everyone if >> we could dimistify why we achieved what we did. Actually the point of such >> interviews is not that we just praise people, we should also learn how they >> did what they did. So I can only request everyone that please acknowledge >> role of assistive technology when you talk about your achievements. >> >> Not acknowledging role of assistive technology is equivalent for a scientist >> not disclosing the tools used for the discovery and just claiming that she >> discovered what she did. >> >> >> >> -Original Message- >> From: AccessIndia [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf >> Of Avichal Bhatnagar >> Sent: Monday, January 29, 2018 6:31 PM >> To: AccessIndia: a list for discussing accessibility and issues concerning >> the disabled. >> Subject: Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media >> >> Well, I completely disagree with this. >> If Ashish doesn't find anything wrong in the way his interview was >> conducted, then who are we to impose our viewpoint on him? >> Its high time that we stop poking our noses unnecessarily in every affair. >> >>> On 1/29/18, Rahul Bajaj wrote: >>> Thanks for your thoughtful responses, everyone. I did engage with >>> Ashish on this issue on Twitter, and our conversation can be found >>> here: https://twitter.com/Rahul400/with_replies >>> His handle is InsaneOdyssey. >>> >>> To his credit, he did appreciate my viewpoint but was of the view that >>> all accomplishments should be celebrated, by the able-bodied or the >>> disabled. With respect, I think that did not address the central point >>> that I was trying to make. >>> >>> Based on Alok's suggestion, I think we should write an open letter to >>> Arnab and get it published on a platform like the Wire or Scroll. I am >>> happy to craft it and share it with others who concur with the >>> sentiment that I have voiced here. I think these principles are >>> important and ought to be voiced, irrespective of how many people read >>> them. Does this make sense? >>> >>> Best, >>> Rahul >>> >>>> On 29/01/2018, wheelchairman.nlc wrote: >>>> Please clarify whether SC/SC or OBC fall under state list or >>>> concurrent list. >>>> >>>> >>>> Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone. >>>> Original message From: avinash shahi >>>> Date: 29/01/2018 15:33 (GMT+05:30) To: >>>> "AccessIndia: a list for discussing accessibility and issues >>>> concerning the disabled." Subject: >>>> Re: [AI] Deification of the di
Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media
Avichal, in addition to the brilliant points that Alok and Dinesh have made, I also think that it is worth remembering that this interview is in many ways emblematic of the way mainstream media views the disabled. So the interview cannot be viewed in isolation. Further, how often do mainstream anchors like Arnab cover the disabled? Given how rarely this happens, it is important for us to ensure that the portrayal is not such as to reinforce harmful stereotypes. Sent from my iPhone > On Jan 29, 2018, at 8:12 PM, Dinesh Kaushal wrote: > > You are right that we should not tell Ashish how he should represent his > situation. > > But we can certainly discuss among ourselves how we want to be represented > and whether we could do anything to change that. Anyone of us who have any > experience regarding media, know that often we do not have much control about > how we want to be represented. > > We can also discuss what things we want to represent, but each individual has > full right how they want to be represented. > > Having said that, there are also some reasons why it would help everyone if > we could dimistify why we achieved what we did. Actually the point of such > interviews is not that we just praise people, we should also learn how they > did what they did. So I can only request everyone that please acknowledge > role of assistive technology when you talk about your achievements. > > Not acknowledging role of assistive technology is equivalent for a scientist > not disclosing the tools used for the discovery and just claiming that she > discovered what she did. > > > > -Original Message- > From: AccessIndia [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf > Of Avichal Bhatnagar > Sent: Monday, January 29, 2018 6:31 PM > To: AccessIndia: a list for discussing accessibility and issues concerning > the disabled. > Subject: Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media > > Well, I completely disagree with this. > If Ashish doesn't find anything wrong in the way his interview was conducted, > then who are we to impose our viewpoint on him? > Its high time that we stop poking our noses unnecessarily in every affair. > >> On 1/29/18, Rahul Bajaj wrote: >> Thanks for your thoughtful responses, everyone. I did engage with >> Ashish on this issue on Twitter, and our conversation can be found >> here: https://twitter.com/Rahul400/with_replies >> His handle is InsaneOdyssey. >> >> To his credit, he did appreciate my viewpoint but was of the view that >> all accomplishments should be celebrated, by the able-bodied or the >> disabled. With respect, I think that did not address the central point >> that I was trying to make. >> >> Based on Alok's suggestion, I think we should write an open letter to >> Arnab and get it published on a platform like the Wire or Scroll. I am >> happy to craft it and share it with others who concur with the >> sentiment that I have voiced here. I think these principles are >> important and ought to be voiced, irrespective of how many people read >> them. Does this make sense? >> >> Best, >> Rahul >> >>> On 29/01/2018, wheelchairman.nlc wrote: >>> Please clarify whether SC/SC or OBC fall under state list or >>> concurrent list. >>> >>> >>> Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone. >>> Original message From: avinash shahi >>> Date: 29/01/2018 15:33 (GMT+05:30) To: >>> "AccessIndia: a list for discussing accessibility and issues >>> concerning the disabled." Subject: >>> Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media This discussion >>> reminds me of the late Stella Young who put is so bluntly that >>> disabled people are presented as 'inspiration porn' by the media. In >>> India our Prime Minister himself is hellbent in bestowing divinity to >>> our ordinary and mortal lives. For those interested who have joined >>> the group lately or have missed reading it earlier, can find time to >>> read my write up written over the divinity issue which was appeared >>> in the Tribune. "Deifying people with disabilities a cruel joke" >>> http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/comment/deifying-people-with-disabil >>> ities-a-cruel-joke/181902.html >>> Best >>> >>> >>>> On 1/29/18, Alok Kaushik wrote: >>>> Hi, >>>> Rahul, Dinesh and Payal have already put down the essence of >>>> this discussion. While we can keep putting down our views amongst >>>>
Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media
You are right that we should not tell Ashish how he should represent his situation. But we can certainly discuss among ourselves how we want to be represented and whether we could do anything to change that. Anyone of us who have any experience regarding media, know that often we do not have much control about how we want to be represented. We can also discuss what things we want to represent, but each individual has full right how they want to be represented. Having said that, there are also some reasons why it would help everyone if we could dimistify why we achieved what we did. Actually the point of such interviews is not that we just praise people, we should also learn how they did what they did. So I can only request everyone that please acknowledge role of assistive technology when you talk about your achievements. Not acknowledging role of assistive technology is equivalent for a scientist not disclosing the tools used for the discovery and just claiming that she discovered what she did. -Original Message- From: AccessIndia [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf Of Avichal Bhatnagar Sent: Monday, January 29, 2018 6:31 PM To: AccessIndia: a list for discussing accessibility and issues concerning the disabled. Subject: Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media Well, I completely disagree with this. If Ashish doesn't find anything wrong in the way his interview was conducted, then who are we to impose our viewpoint on him? Its high time that we stop poking our noses unnecessarily in every affair. On 1/29/18, Rahul Bajaj wrote: > Thanks for your thoughtful responses, everyone. I did engage with > Ashish on this issue on Twitter, and our conversation can be found > here: https://twitter.com/Rahul400/with_replies > His handle is InsaneOdyssey. > > To his credit, he did appreciate my viewpoint but was of the view that > all accomplishments should be celebrated, by the able-bodied or the > disabled. With respect, I think that did not address the central point > that I was trying to make. > > Based on Alok's suggestion, I think we should write an open letter to > Arnab and get it published on a platform like the Wire or Scroll. I am > happy to craft it and share it with others who concur with the > sentiment that I have voiced here. I think these principles are > important and ought to be voiced, irrespective of how many people read > them. Does this make sense? > > Best, > Rahul > > On 29/01/2018, wheelchairman.nlc wrote: >> Please clarify whether SC/SC or OBC fall under state list or >> concurrent list. >> >> >> Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone. >> Original message From: avinash shahi >> Date: 29/01/2018 15:33 (GMT+05:30) To: >> "AccessIndia: a list for discussing accessibility and issues >> concerning the disabled." Subject: >> Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media This discussion >> reminds me of the late Stella Young who put is so bluntly that >> disabled people are presented as 'inspiration porn' by the media. In >> India our Prime Minister himself is hellbent in bestowing divinity to >> our ordinary and mortal lives. For those interested who have joined >> the group lately or have missed reading it earlier, can find time to >> read my write up written over the divinity issue which was appeared >> in the Tribune. "Deifying people with disabilities a cruel joke" >> http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/comment/deifying-people-with-disabil >> ities-a-cruel-joke/181902.html >> Best >> >> >> On 1/29/18, Alok Kaushik wrote: >>> Hi, >>> Rahul, Dinesh and Payal have already put down the essence of >>> this discussion. While we can keep putting down our views amongst >>> ourselves, it would be better if they are heard by those who >>> perpetuate these stereotypes. Would it be good idea to collect >>> more views on this thread, collate them in form of an article, >>> and send it to Arnab Goswami. >>> Ideally it would be best if Ashish sends it, but I am not sure if >>> he would be willing to do it. If anyone on this list interacts >>> with him at a personal level, he / she can possibly convey this >>> to him. >>> >>> Thanks. >>> Alok >>> >>> >>> -Original Message- >>> From: AccessIndia [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On >>> Behalf Of Dinesh Kaushal >>> Sent: Monday, January 29, 2018 10:05 AM >>> To: 'AccessIndia: a list for discussing accessibility and issues >>> concerning the disabled.' &g
Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media
This is not at all about Ashish or his opinion. This is about how the main person running a national channel presents about a subject and how that presentation could be made better or more useful to others with disability or make society more aware in general and how more such examples can find their path. We generally appreciate interviews in which the interviewer is well aware about the subject matter and is able to make the interview really relevant in the context. This discussion is aimed at that. -Original Message- From: AccessIndia [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf Of Avichal Bhatnagar Sent: Monday, January 29, 2018 6:31 PM To: AccessIndia: a list for discussing accessibility and issues concerning the disabled. Subject: Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media Well, I completely disagree with this. If Ashish doesn't find anything wrong in the way his interview was conducted, then who are we to impose our viewpoint on him? Its high time that we stop poking our noses unnecessarily in every affair. On 1/29/18, Rahul Bajaj wrote: > Thanks for your thoughtful responses, everyone. I did engage with > Ashish on this issue on Twitter, and our conversation can be found > here: https://twitter.com/Rahul400/with_replies > His handle is InsaneOdyssey. > > To his credit, he did appreciate my viewpoint but was of the view that > all accomplishments should be celebrated, by the able-bodied or the > disabled. With respect, I think that did not address the central point > that I was trying to make. > > Based on Alok's suggestion, I think we should write an open letter to > Arnab and get it published on a platform like the Wire or Scroll. I am > happy to craft it and share it with others who concur with the > sentiment that I have voiced here. I think these principles are > important and ought to be voiced, irrespective of how many people read > them. Does this make sense? > > Best, > Rahul > > On 29/01/2018, wheelchairman.nlc wrote: >> Please clarify whether SC/SC or OBC fall under state list or >> concurrent list. >> >> >> Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone. >> Original message From: avinash shahi >> Date: 29/01/2018 15:33 (GMT+05:30) To: >> "AccessIndia: a list for discussing accessibility and issues >> concerning the disabled." Subject: >> Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media This discussion >> reminds me of the late Stella Young who put is so bluntly that >> disabled people are presented as 'inspiration porn' by the media. In >> India our Prime Minister himself is hellbent in bestowing divinity to >> our ordinary and mortal lives. For those interested who have joined >> the group lately or have missed reading it earlier, can find time to >> read my write up written over the divinity issue which was appeared >> in the Tribune. "Deifying people with disabilities a cruel joke" >> http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/comment/deifying-people-with-disabil >> ities-a-cruel-joke/181902.html >> Best >> >> >> On 1/29/18, Alok Kaushik wrote: >>> Hi, >>> Rahul, Dinesh and Payal have already put down the essence of >>> this discussion. While we can keep putting down our views amongst >>> ourselves, it would be better if they are heard by those who >>> perpetuate these stereotypes. Would it be good idea to collect >>> more views on this thread, collate them in form of an article, >>> and send it to Arnab Goswami. >>> Ideally it would be best if Ashish sends it, but I am not sure if >>> he would be willing to do it. If anyone on this list interacts >>> with him at a personal level, he / she can possibly convey this >>> to him. >>> >>> Thanks. >>> Alok >>> >>> >>> -Original Message- >>> From: AccessIndia [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On >>> Behalf Of Dinesh Kaushal >>> Sent: Monday, January 29, 2018 10:05 AM >>> To: 'AccessIndia: a list for discussing accessibility and issues >>> concerning the disabled.' >>> Subject: Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media >>> >>> Thanks for starting conversation on an important topic. >>> >>> The way media houses distort and push people around is well-known. I >>> think that Arnab Goswami would not have allowed Ashish to say what >>> he might have wanted to say. >>> >>> It was evident from the way Arnab constantly kept saying that I want >>> people to get inspired. So he m
Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media
Well, I completely disagree with this. If Ashish doesn't find anything wrong in the way his interview was conducted, then who are we to impose our viewpoint on him? Its high time that we stop poking our noses unnecessarily in every affair. On 1/29/18, Rahul Bajaj wrote: > Thanks for your thoughtful responses, everyone. I did engage with > Ashish on this issue on Twitter, and our conversation can be found > here: https://twitter.com/Rahul400/with_replies > His handle is InsaneOdyssey. > > To his credit, he did appreciate my viewpoint but was of the view that > all accomplishments should be celebrated, by the able-bodied or the > disabled. With respect, I think that did not address the central point > that I was trying to make. > > Based on Alok's suggestion, I think we should write an open letter to > Arnab and get it published on a platform like the Wire or Scroll. I am > happy to craft it and share it with others who concur with the > sentiment that I have voiced here. I think these principles are > important and ought to be voiced, irrespective of how many people read > them. Does this make sense? > > Best, > Rahul > > On 29/01/2018, wheelchairman.nlc wrote: >> Please clarify whether SC/SC or OBC fall under state list or concurrent >> list. >> >> >> Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone. >> Original message From: avinash shahi >> Date: 29/01/2018 15:33 (GMT+05:30) To: >> "AccessIndia: a list for discussing accessibility and issues concerning >> the >> disabled." Subject: Re: [AI] Deification >> of >> the disabled in the media >> This discussion reminds me of the late Stella Young who put is so >> bluntly that disabled people are presented as 'inspiration porn' by >> the media. In India our Prime Minister himself is hellbent in >> bestowing divinity to our ordinary and mortal lives. For those >> interested who have joined the group lately or have missed reading it >> earlier, can find time to read my write up written over the divinity >> issue which was appeared in the Tribune. "Deifying people with >> disabilities a cruel joke" >> http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/comment/deifying-people-with-disabilities-a-cruel-joke/181902.html >> Best >> >> >> On 1/29/18, Alok Kaushik wrote: >>> Hi, >>> Rahul, Dinesh and Payal have already put down the essence of this >>> discussion. While we can keep putting down our views amongst ourselves, >>> it >>> would be better if they are heard by those who perpetuate these >>> stereotypes. Would it be good idea to collect more views on this >>> thread, collate them in form of an article, and send it to Arnab >>> Goswami. >>> Ideally it would be best if Ashish sends it, but I am not sure if he >>> would be willing to do it. If anyone on this list interacts with >>> him >>> at a personal level, he / she can possibly convey this to him. >>> >>> Thanks. >>> Alok >>> >>> >>> -Original Message- >>> From: AccessIndia [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On >>> Behalf >>> Of Dinesh Kaushal >>> Sent: Monday, January 29, 2018 10:05 AM >>> To: 'AccessIndia: a list for discussing accessibility and issues >>> concerning >>> the disabled.' >>> Subject: Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media >>> >>> Thanks for starting conversation on an important topic. >>> >>> The way media houses distort and push people around is well-known. I >>> think >>> that Arnab Goswami would not have allowed Ashish to say what he might >>> have >>> wanted to say. >>> >>> It was evident from the way Arnab constantly kept saying that I want >>> people >>> to get inspired. So he might have not allowed him to talk about role of >>> assistive technology. The reason that Arnab might have not allowed that >>> description is that the fact that technology could help people with >>> blindness would not make him look so super human. >>> >>> Even then, I feel that we have missed a great opportunity to bring >>> awareness >>> about how assistive technology could help millions. As Rahul said, This >>> instance highlights that we should not help in perpetuating these harmful >>> stereotypes. I also suggest that we need to be vigilant about our >>> responsibility of making people aware about how technology has made so >>> many >>> things possib
Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media
Thanks for your thoughtful responses, everyone. I did engage with Ashish on this issue on Twitter, and our conversation can be found here: https://twitter.com/Rahul400/with_replies His handle is InsaneOdyssey. To his credit, he did appreciate my viewpoint but was of the view that all accomplishments should be celebrated, by the able-bodied or the disabled. With respect, I think that did not address the central point that I was trying to make. Based on Alok's suggestion, I think we should write an open letter to Arnab and get it published on a platform like the Wire or Scroll. I am happy to craft it and share it with others who concur with the sentiment that I have voiced here. I think these principles are important and ought to be voiced, irrespective of how many people read them. Does this make sense? Best, Rahul On 29/01/2018, wheelchairman.nlc wrote: > Please clarify whether SC/SC or OBC fall under state list or concurrent > list. > > > Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone. > Original message From: avinash shahi > Date: 29/01/2018 15:33 (GMT+05:30) To: > "AccessIndia: a list for discussing accessibility and issues concerning the > disabled." Subject: Re: [AI] Deification of > the disabled in the media > This discussion reminds me of the late Stella Young who put is so > bluntly that disabled people are presented as 'inspiration porn' by > the media. In India our Prime Minister himself is hellbent in > bestowing divinity to our ordinary and mortal lives. For those > interested who have joined the group lately or have missed reading it > earlier, can find time to read my write up written over the divinity > issue which was appeared in the Tribune. "Deifying people with > disabilities a cruel joke" > http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/comment/deifying-people-with-disabilities-a-cruel-joke/181902.html > Best > > > On 1/29/18, Alok Kaushik wrote: >> Hi, >> Rahul, Dinesh and Payal have already put down the essence of this >> discussion. While we can keep putting down our views amongst ourselves, >> it >> would be better if they are heard by those who perpetuate these >> stereotypes. Would it be good idea to collect more views on this >> thread, collate them in form of an article, and send it to Arnab Goswami. >> Ideally it would be best if Ashish sends it, but I am not sure if he >> would be willing to do it. If anyone on this list interacts with him >> at a personal level, he / she can possibly convey this to him. >> >> Thanks. >> Alok >> >> >> -Original Message- >> From: AccessIndia [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On >> Behalf >> Of Dinesh Kaushal >> Sent: Monday, January 29, 2018 10:05 AM >> To: 'AccessIndia: a list for discussing accessibility and issues >> concerning >> the disabled.' >> Subject: Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media >> >> Thanks for starting conversation on an important topic. >> >> The way media houses distort and push people around is well-known. I think >> that Arnab Goswami would not have allowed Ashish to say what he might have >> wanted to say. >> >> It was evident from the way Arnab constantly kept saying that I want >> people >> to get inspired. So he might have not allowed him to talk about role of >> assistive technology. The reason that Arnab might have not allowed that >> description is that the fact that technology could help people with >> blindness would not make him look so super human. >> >> Even then, I feel that we have missed a great opportunity to bring >> awareness >> about how assistive technology could help millions. As Rahul said, This >> instance highlights that we should not help in perpetuating these harmful >> stereotypes. I also suggest that we need to be vigilant about our >> responsibility of making people aware about how technology has made so >> many >> things possible. Granted that it has become part of our lives so much that >> we may not realize that for people who have no exposure to these >> technologies, this could be the difference in making us look super human >> vs >> people using specialized tool that anyone could learn. >> >> For those who might want to be seen as amazing people, even though when we >> show people how technology helps us to do regular stuff, people think we >> are >> so inspirational! >> >> >> >> -Original Message- >> From: AccessIndia [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On >> Behalf >> Of Rahul Bajaj >> Sent: Saturday, January 27, 20
Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media
Please clarify whether SC/SC or OBC fall under state list or concurrent list. Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone. Original message From: avinash shahi Date: 29/01/2018 15:33 (GMT+05:30) To: "AccessIndia: a list for discussing accessibility and issues concerning the disabled." Subject: Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media This discussion reminds me of the late Stella Young who put is so bluntly that disabled people are presented as 'inspiration porn' by the media. In India our Prime Minister himself is hellbent in bestowing divinity to our ordinary and mortal lives. For those interested who have joined the group lately or have missed reading it earlier, can find time to read my write up written over the divinity issue which was appeared in the Tribune. "Deifying people with disabilities a cruel joke" http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/comment/deifying-people-with-disabilities-a-cruel-joke/181902.html Best On 1/29/18, Alok Kaushik wrote: > Hi, > Rahul, Dinesh and Payal have already put down the essence of this > discussion. While we can keep putting down our views amongst ourselves, it > would be better if they are heard by those who perpetuate these > stereotypes. Would it be good idea to collect more views on this > thread, collate them in form of an article, and send it to Arnab Goswami. > Ideally it would be best if Ashish sends it, but I am not sure if he > would be willing to do it. If anyone on this list interacts with him > at a personal level, he / she can possibly convey this to him. > > Thanks. > Alok > > > -Original Message- > From: AccessIndia [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf > Of Dinesh Kaushal > Sent: Monday, January 29, 2018 10:05 AM > To: 'AccessIndia: a list for discussing accessibility and issues concerning > the disabled.' > Subject: Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media > > Thanks for starting conversation on an important topic. > > The way media houses distort and push people around is well-known. I think > that Arnab Goswami would not have allowed Ashish to say what he might have > wanted to say. > > It was evident from the way Arnab constantly kept saying that I want people > to get inspired. So he might have not allowed him to talk about role of > assistive technology. The reason that Arnab might have not allowed that > description is that the fact that technology could help people with > blindness would not make him look so super human. > > Even then, I feel that we have missed a great opportunity to bring awareness > about how assistive technology could help millions. As Rahul said, This > instance highlights that we should not help in perpetuating these harmful > stereotypes. I also suggest that we need to be vigilant about our > responsibility of making people aware about how technology has made so many > things possible. Granted that it has become part of our lives so much that > we may not realize that for people who have no exposure to these > technologies, this could be the difference in making us look super human vs > people using specialized tool that anyone could learn. > > For those who might want to be seen as amazing people, even though when we > show people how technology helps us to do regular stuff, people think we are > so inspirational! > > > > -Original Message----- > From: AccessIndia [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf > Of Rahul Bajaj > Sent: Saturday, January 27, 2018 9:58 PM > To: accessindia@accessindia.org.in > Subject: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media > > Hi everyone, > > I hope this message finds you well. I recently came across Ashish Goyal's > interview to Arnab Goswami on Republic TV that was conducted on Republic > Day: > http://www.republicworld.com/s/20590/meet-the-first-visually-impaired-person > -to-attend-wharton-business-school > > At the outset, I think what Mr. Goyal has achieved is truly commendable and > worthy of appreciation. Despite the odds being heavily stacked against him, > he has overcome challenges that most would have considered insurmountable. > However, I was somewhat troubled by the manner in which Mr. Goswami sought > to construct his narrative. More specifically, he called Mr. Goyal an > inspiration multiple times and framed his questions in such a way that they > made Mr. Goyal appear superhuman. For instance, the interviewers considered > him an expert on overcoming obstacles as a student merely on the ground that > he has been able to accomplish so much despite his disability. This got me > thinking about whether the deification of the disabled in this fashion is a > healthy phenomenon. Doesn&#
Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media
This discussion reminds me of the late Stella Young who put is so bluntly that disabled people are presented as 'inspiration porn' by the media. In India our Prime Minister himself is hellbent in bestowing divinity to our ordinary and mortal lives. For those interested who have joined the group lately or have missed reading it earlier, can find time to read my write up written over the divinity issue which was appeared in the Tribune. "Deifying people with disabilities a cruel joke" http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/comment/deifying-people-with-disabilities-a-cruel-joke/181902.html Best On 1/29/18, Alok Kaushik wrote: > Hi, > Rahul, Dinesh and Payal have already put down the essence of this > discussion. While we can keep putting down our views amongst ourselves, it > would be better if they are heard by those who perpetuate these > stereotypes. Would it be good idea to collect more views on this > thread, collate them in form of an article, and send it to Arnab Goswami. > Ideally it would be best if Ashish sends it, but I am not sure if he > would be willing to do it. If anyone on this list interacts with him > at a personal level, he / she can possibly convey this to him. > > Thanks. > Alok > > > -Original Message- > From: AccessIndia [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf > Of Dinesh Kaushal > Sent: Monday, January 29, 2018 10:05 AM > To: 'AccessIndia: a list for discussing accessibility and issues concerning > the disabled.' > Subject: Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media > > Thanks for starting conversation on an important topic. > > The way media houses distort and push people around is well-known. I think > that Arnab Goswami would not have allowed Ashish to say what he might have > wanted to say. > > It was evident from the way Arnab constantly kept saying that I want people > to get inspired. So he might have not allowed him to talk about role of > assistive technology. The reason that Arnab might have not allowed that > description is that the fact that technology could help people with > blindness would not make him look so super human. > > Even then, I feel that we have missed a great opportunity to bring awareness > about how assistive technology could help millions. As Rahul said, This > instance highlights that we should not help in perpetuating these harmful > stereotypes. I also suggest that we need to be vigilant about our > responsibility of making people aware about how technology has made so many > things possible. Granted that it has become part of our lives so much that > we may not realize that for people who have no exposure to these > technologies, this could be the difference in making us look super human vs > people using specialized tool that anyone could learn. > > For those who might want to be seen as amazing people, even though when we > show people how technology helps us to do regular stuff, people think we are > so inspirational! > > > > -Original Message- > From: AccessIndia [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf > Of Rahul Bajaj > Sent: Saturday, January 27, 2018 9:58 PM > To: accessindia@accessindia.org.in > Subject: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media > > Hi everyone, > > I hope this message finds you well. I recently came across Ashish Goyal's > interview to Arnab Goswami on Republic TV that was conducted on Republic > Day: > http://www.republicworld.com/s/20590/meet-the-first-visually-impaired-person > -to-attend-wharton-business-school > > At the outset, I think what Mr. Goyal has achieved is truly commendable and > worthy of appreciation. Despite the odds being heavily stacked against him, > he has overcome challenges that most would have considered insurmountable. > However, I was somewhat troubled by the manner in which Mr. Goswami sought > to construct his narrative. More specifically, he called Mr. Goyal an > inspiration multiple times and framed his questions in such a way that they > made Mr. Goyal appear superhuman. For instance, the interviewers considered > him an expert on overcoming obstacles as a student merely on the ground that > he has been able to accomplish so much despite his disability. This got me > thinking about whether the deification of the disabled in this fashion is a > healthy phenomenon. Doesn't it help perpetuate their otherization and > alienation which we work so hard to break down? Also, I wonder if we, as > disabled interviewees, have an obligation to actively engage with > interviewers to ensure that we are not helping perpetuate these harmful > stereotypes. > > To be clear, I don't have anything against Mr. Goyal personally. Indeed, I &g
Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media
i totally agree with Alok on this idea. an attempt should be made to get this across to Arnab Goswami. as for Ashish sending it, we could write to him ourselves in case there is nobody who knows him on a personal level is willing to do so. On 1/29/18, Alok Kaushik wrote: > Hi, > Rahul, Dinesh and Payal have already put down the essence of this > discussion. While we can keep putting down our views amongst ourselves, it > would be better if they are heard by those who perpetuate these > stereotypes. Would it be good idea to collect more views on this > thread, collate them in form of an article, and send it to Arnab Goswami. > Ideally it would be best if Ashish sends it, but I am not sure if he > would be willing to do it. If anyone on this list interacts with him > at a personal level, he / she can possibly convey this to him. > > Thanks. > Alok > > > -Original Message- > From: AccessIndia [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf > Of Dinesh Kaushal > Sent: Monday, January 29, 2018 10:05 AM > To: 'AccessIndia: a list for discussing accessibility and issues concerning > the disabled.' > Subject: Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media > > Thanks for starting conversation on an important topic. > > The way media houses distort and push people around is well-known. I think > that Arnab Goswami would not have allowed Ashish to say what he might have > wanted to say. > > It was evident from the way Arnab constantly kept saying that I want people > to get inspired. So he might have not allowed him to talk about role of > assistive technology. The reason that Arnab might have not allowed that > description is that the fact that technology could help people with > blindness would not make him look so super human. > > Even then, I feel that we have missed a great opportunity to bring awareness > about how assistive technology could help millions. As Rahul said, This > instance highlights that we should not help in perpetuating these harmful > stereotypes. I also suggest that we need to be vigilant about our > responsibility of making people aware about how technology has made so many > things possible. Granted that it has become part of our lives so much that > we may not realize that for people who have no exposure to these > technologies, this could be the difference in making us look super human vs > people using specialized tool that anyone could learn. > > For those who might want to be seen as amazing people, even though when we > show people how technology helps us to do regular stuff, people think we are > so inspirational! > > > > -Original Message- > From: AccessIndia [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf > Of Rahul Bajaj > Sent: Saturday, January 27, 2018 9:58 PM > To: accessindia@accessindia.org.in > Subject: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media > > Hi everyone, > > I hope this message finds you well. I recently came across Ashish Goyal's > interview to Arnab Goswami on Republic TV that was conducted on Republic > Day: > http://www.republicworld.com/s/20590/meet-the-first-visually-impaired-person > -to-attend-wharton-business-school > > At the outset, I think what Mr. Goyal has achieved is truly commendable and > worthy of appreciation. Despite the odds being heavily stacked against him, > he has overcome challenges that most would have considered insurmountable. > However, I was somewhat troubled by the manner in which Mr. Goswami sought > to construct his narrative. More specifically, he called Mr. Goyal an > inspiration multiple times and framed his questions in such a way that they > made Mr. Goyal appear superhuman. For instance, the interviewers considered > him an expert on overcoming obstacles as a student merely on the ground that > he has been able to accomplish so much despite his disability. This got me > thinking about whether the deification of the disabled in this fashion is a > healthy phenomenon. Doesn't it help perpetuate their otherization and > alienation which we work so hard to break down? Also, I wonder if we, as > disabled interviewees, have an obligation to actively engage with > interviewers to ensure that we are not helping perpetuate these harmful > stereotypes. > > To be clear, I don't have anything against Mr. Goyal personally. Indeed, I > confess to being all too willing to be made the subject matter of news > stories like these. I do think that such stories serve the valuable purpose > of driving home the point that, with access to opportunities and resources, > there is nothing that the disabled cannot achieve. However, at the same > time, I am wondering if this object can be attained wit
Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media
Hi, Rahul, Dinesh and Payal have already put down the essence of this discussion. While we can keep putting down our views amongst ourselves, it would be better if they are heard by those who perpetuate these stereotypes. Would it be good idea to collect more views on this thread, collate them in form of an article, and send it to Arnab Goswami. Ideally it would be best if Ashish sends it, but I am not sure if he would be willing to do it. If anyone on this list interacts with him at a personal level, he / she can possibly convey this to him. Thanks. Alok -Original Message- From: AccessIndia [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf Of Dinesh Kaushal Sent: Monday, January 29, 2018 10:05 AM To: 'AccessIndia: a list for discussing accessibility and issues concerning the disabled.' Subject: Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media Thanks for starting conversation on an important topic. The way media houses distort and push people around is well-known. I think that Arnab Goswami would not have allowed Ashish to say what he might have wanted to say. It was evident from the way Arnab constantly kept saying that I want people to get inspired. So he might have not allowed him to talk about role of assistive technology. The reason that Arnab might have not allowed that description is that the fact that technology could help people with blindness would not make him look so super human. Even then, I feel that we have missed a great opportunity to bring awareness about how assistive technology could help millions. As Rahul said, This instance highlights that we should not help in perpetuating these harmful stereotypes. I also suggest that we need to be vigilant about our responsibility of making people aware about how technology has made so many things possible. Granted that it has become part of our lives so much that we may not realize that for people who have no exposure to these technologies, this could be the difference in making us look super human vs people using specialized tool that anyone could learn. For those who might want to be seen as amazing people, even though when we show people how technology helps us to do regular stuff, people think we are so inspirational! -Original Message- From: AccessIndia [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf Of Rahul Bajaj Sent: Saturday, January 27, 2018 9:58 PM To: accessindia@accessindia.org.in Subject: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media Hi everyone, I hope this message finds you well. I recently came across Ashish Goyal's interview to Arnab Goswami on Republic TV that was conducted on Republic Day: http://www.republicworld.com/s/20590/meet-the-first-visually-impaired-person -to-attend-wharton-business-school At the outset, I think what Mr. Goyal has achieved is truly commendable and worthy of appreciation. Despite the odds being heavily stacked against him, he has overcome challenges that most would have considered insurmountable. However, I was somewhat troubled by the manner in which Mr. Goswami sought to construct his narrative. More specifically, he called Mr. Goyal an inspiration multiple times and framed his questions in such a way that they made Mr. Goyal appear superhuman. For instance, the interviewers considered him an expert on overcoming obstacles as a student merely on the ground that he has been able to accomplish so much despite his disability. This got me thinking about whether the deification of the disabled in this fashion is a healthy phenomenon. Doesn't it help perpetuate their otherization and alienation which we work so hard to break down? Also, I wonder if we, as disabled interviewees, have an obligation to actively engage with interviewers to ensure that we are not helping perpetuate these harmful stereotypes. To be clear, I don't have anything against Mr. Goyal personally. Indeed, I confess to being all too willing to be made the subject matter of news stories like these. I do think that such stories serve the valuable purpose of driving home the point that, with access to opportunities and resources, there is nothing that the disabled cannot achieve. However, at the same time, I am wondering if this object can be attained without us being complicit in reinforcing harmful stereotypes. Best, Rahul Sent from my iPhone The list has now migrated to www.accessindia.inclusivehabitat.in You should now post to the id: a...@accessindia.inclusivehabitat.in Search for old postings at: http://www.mail-archive.com/accessindia@accessindia.org.in/ To unsubscribe send a message to accessindia-requ...@accessindia.org.in with the subject unsubscribe. To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in Disclaimer: 1. Contents of the mai
Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media
i agree with Rahul's concerns here as well while all of us have been referred to as being inspirational at some time or the other in our lives, and have soaked in the praise and adulation happily, this one simply pushed the objectifying way too far. so much that it grated on the ears to hear Arnab's constant references to blind and visually impaired folks as being super human. like Dinesh has rightfully said, we sometimes need to consciously break these attempts at blatant perpetuation of stereotypes by the media. all of us want to have our voices heard on media at some point or the other, but for them to take away from what are important, core issues is irresponsible journalism to say the least. Payal On 1/29/18, Dinesh Kaushal wrote: > Thanks for starting conversation on an important topic. > > The way media houses distort and push people around is well-known. I think > that Arnab Goswami would not have allowed Ashish to say what he might have > wanted to say. > > It was evident from the way Arnab constantly kept saying that I want people > to get inspired. So he might have not allowed him to talk about role of > assistive technology. The reason that Arnab might have not allowed that > description is that the fact that technology could help people with > blindness would not make him look so super human. > > Even then, I feel that we have missed a great opportunity to bring > awareness > about how assistive technology could help millions. As Rahul said, This > instance highlights that we should not help in perpetuating these harmful > stereotypes. I also suggest that we need to be vigilant about our > responsibility of making people aware about how technology has made so many > things possible. Granted that it has become part of our lives so much that > we may not realize that for people who have no exposure to these > technologies, this could be the difference in making us look super human vs > people using specialized tool that anyone could learn. > > For those who might want to be seen as amazing people, even though when we > show people how technology helps us to do regular stuff, people think we > are > so inspirational! > > > > -Original Message- > From: AccessIndia [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf > Of Rahul Bajaj > Sent: Saturday, January 27, 2018 9:58 PM > To: accessindia@accessindia.org.in > Subject: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media > > Hi everyone, > > I hope this message finds you well. I recently came across Ashish Goyal's > interview to Arnab Goswami on Republic TV that was conducted on Republic > Day: > http://www.republicworld.com/s/20590/meet-the-first-visually-impaired-person > -to-attend-wharton-business-school > > At the outset, I think what Mr. Goyal has achieved is truly commendable and > worthy of appreciation. Despite the odds being heavily stacked against him, > he has overcome challenges that most would have considered insurmountable. > However, I was somewhat troubled by the manner in which Mr. Goswami sought > to construct his narrative. More specifically, he called Mr. Goyal an > inspiration multiple times and framed his questions in such a way that they > made Mr. Goyal appear superhuman. For instance, the interviewers considered > him an expert on overcoming obstacles as a student merely on the ground > that > he has been able to accomplish so much despite his disability. This got me > thinking about whether the deification of the disabled in this fashion is a > healthy phenomenon. Doesn't it help perpetuate their otherization and > alienation which we work so hard to break down? Also, I wonder if we, as > disabled interviewees, have an obligation to actively engage with > interviewers to ensure that we are not helping perpetuate these harmful > stereotypes. > > To be clear, I don't have anything against Mr. Goyal personally. Indeed, I > confess to being all too willing to be made the subject matter of news > stories like these. I do think that such stories serve the valuable purpose > of driving home the point that, with access to opportunities and resources, > there is nothing that the disabled cannot achieve. However, at the same > time, I am wondering if this object can be attained without us being > complicit in reinforcing harmful stereotypes. > > Best, > Rahul > > > > > Sent from my iPhone > The list has now migrated to www.accessindia.inclusivehabitat.in > > You should now post to the id: a...@accessindia.inclusivehabitat.in > > > > > Search for old postings at: > http://www.mail-archive.com/accessindia@accessindia.org.in/ > > To unsubscribe send a message to > accessindia-requ...@accessindia.org.in > with the subject unsub
Re: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media
Thanks for starting conversation on an important topic. The way media houses distort and push people around is well-known. I think that Arnab Goswami would not have allowed Ashish to say what he might have wanted to say. It was evident from the way Arnab constantly kept saying that I want people to get inspired. So he might have not allowed him to talk about role of assistive technology. The reason that Arnab might have not allowed that description is that the fact that technology could help people with blindness would not make him look so super human. Even then, I feel that we have missed a great opportunity to bring awareness about how assistive technology could help millions. As Rahul said, This instance highlights that we should not help in perpetuating these harmful stereotypes. I also suggest that we need to be vigilant about our responsibility of making people aware about how technology has made so many things possible. Granted that it has become part of our lives so much that we may not realize that for people who have no exposure to these technologies, this could be the difference in making us look super human vs people using specialized tool that anyone could learn. For those who might want to be seen as amazing people, even though when we show people how technology helps us to do regular stuff, people think we are so inspirational! -Original Message- From: AccessIndia [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf Of Rahul Bajaj Sent: Saturday, January 27, 2018 9:58 PM To: accessindia@accessindia.org.in Subject: [AI] Deification of the disabled in the media Hi everyone, I hope this message finds you well. I recently came across Ashish Goyal's interview to Arnab Goswami on Republic TV that was conducted on Republic Day: http://www.republicworld.com/s/20590/meet-the-first-visually-impaired-person -to-attend-wharton-business-school At the outset, I think what Mr. Goyal has achieved is truly commendable and worthy of appreciation. Despite the odds being heavily stacked against him, he has overcome challenges that most would have considered insurmountable. However, I was somewhat troubled by the manner in which Mr. Goswami sought to construct his narrative. More specifically, he called Mr. Goyal an inspiration multiple times and framed his questions in such a way that they made Mr. Goyal appear superhuman. For instance, the interviewers considered him an expert on overcoming obstacles as a student merely on the ground that he has been able to accomplish so much despite his disability. This got me thinking about whether the deification of the disabled in this fashion is a healthy phenomenon. Doesn't it help perpetuate their otherization and alienation which we work so hard to break down? Also, I wonder if we, as disabled interviewees, have an obligation to actively engage with interviewers to ensure that we are not helping perpetuate these harmful stereotypes. To be clear, I don't have anything against Mr. Goyal personally. Indeed, I confess to being all too willing to be made the subject matter of news stories like these. I do think that such stories serve the valuable purpose of driving home the point that, with access to opportunities and resources, there is nothing that the disabled cannot achieve. However, at the same time, I am wondering if this object can be attained without us being complicit in reinforcing harmful stereotypes. Best, Rahul Sent from my iPhone The list has now migrated to www.accessindia.inclusivehabitat.in You should now post to the id: a...@accessindia.inclusivehabitat.in Search for old postings at: http://www.mail-archive.com/accessindia@accessindia.org.in/ To unsubscribe send a message to accessindia-requ...@accessindia.org.in with the subject unsubscribe. To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in Disclaimer: 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails sent through this mailing list.. The list has now migrated to www.accessindia.inclusivehabitat.in You should now post to the id: a...@accessindia.inclusivehabitat.in Search for old postings at: http://www.mail-archive.com/accessindia@accessindia.org.in/ To unsubscribe send a message to accessindia-requ...@accessindia.org.in with the subject unsubscribe. To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in Disclaimer: 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/om
[AI] Deification of the disabled in the media
Hi everyone, I hope this message finds you well. I recently came across Ashish Goyal's interview to Arnab Goswami on Republic TV that was conducted on Republic Day: http://www.republicworld.com/s/20590/meet-the-first-visually-impaired-person-to-attend-wharton-business-school At the outset, I think what Mr. Goyal has achieved is truly commendable and worthy of appreciation. Despite the odds being heavily stacked against him, he has overcome challenges that most would have considered insurmountable. However, I was somewhat troubled by the manner in which Mr. Goswami sought to construct his narrative. More specifically, he called Mr. Goyal an inspiration multiple times and framed his questions in such a way that they made Mr. Goyal appear superhuman. For instance, the interviewers considered him an expert on overcoming obstacles as a student merely on the ground that he has been able to accomplish so much despite his disability. This got me thinking about whether the deification of the disabled in this fashion is a healthy phenomenon. Doesn't it help perpetuate their otherization and alienation which we work so hard to break down? Also, I wonder if we, as disabled interviewees, have an obligation to actively engage with interviewers to ensure that we are not helping perpetuate these harmful stereotypes. To be clear, I don't have anything against Mr. Goyal personally. Indeed, I confess to being all too willing to be made the subject matter of news stories like these. I do think that such stories serve the valuable purpose of driving home the point that, with access to opportunities and resources, there is nothing that the disabled cannot achieve. However, at the same time, I am wondering if this object can be attained without us being complicit in reinforcing harmful stereotypes. Best, Rahul Sent from my iPhone The list has now migrated to www.accessindia.inclusivehabitat.in You should now post to the id: a...@accessindia.inclusivehabitat.in Search for old postings at: http://www.mail-archive.com/accessindia@accessindia.org.in/ To unsubscribe send a message to accessindia-requ...@accessindia.org.in with the subject unsubscribe. To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in Disclaimer: 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails sent through this mailing list..
