OBJECTIFICATION + DISABILITY = INSPIRATION PORN
Story by Angela Kyle | Design by Dayana Huayana Montoya | Photos by Angela Kyle
“Another few steps,” I hear myself say as I walk on the treadmill. Sweat drips down my face. As I wipe it away, I spot a poster in the corner of the gym. An image of an amputee lifting weights with the bold letters of ‘NO EXCUSES’ positioned above his image. If he can work out, then I should be able to as well. Should I be inspired by what I see?
There’s a term for that, you know. It’s called inspiration porn. Yes, I said porn. Oh, now I have your attention!
Becoming an ally for people with disabilities is something you can start right now. Learn what inspiration porn is, how it impacts others, and other alternatives to inspire your life while in college and beyond.
What is inspiration porn?
Imagine going about your everyday errands and being the subject of everyone’s pity. On her podcast, Kayla Kingston with the Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education says, “Inspirational depictions of people with disabilities in the media are called ‘inspiration porn,’ a term coined by Australian disability rights activist Stella Young... Young’s point in creating this term is to draw attention to the fact that these stories aren’t shared to support disabled people. These stories instead are shared to make nondisabled people feel good about themselves, thus exploiting those with disabilities.”
| “No Excuses.”
Imagine being objectified in the media for having a disability; because able-bodied people want that dopamine, that warm fuzzy reward for sharing an inspirational story. According to Healthline, dopamine is released when your brain is expecting a reward, and aside from its feel-good function, dopamine is involved in many bodily functions including sleep stress response and feelings of happiness and motivation.
That is the relation to porn. It’s how it makes us feel and what we get out of it. Alternatively, what about those being scrutinized, how do they feel? CM Wright, senior Psychology and Deaf and Sign Language Studies major says, “Porn is objectification. People who live with disabilities... are marginalized in some way by society, turning them into objects of inspiration.”
The expectation of a disabled person being the one to motivate you to work harder, keep going and realize you have no excuses because it could be worse; where did that come from? For some, it starts with motivational speakers who are disabled, articles you read and movies that you watch featuring people with disabilities portrayed as villains.
Stella Young, Australian disability rights activist, comedian and journalist says, “We have been lied to about disability. We have been sold the lie that disability is a bad thing...and to live with disability makes you exceptional. It’s not a bad thing and it doesn’t make you exceptional.”
Why is it important to know?
Becky Engel, American Sign Language professor at Clark College states, “The shock of seeing or hearing the term leads to reflection on our part. It forces us to take a hard look at what we post in our office or classroom or home. Who we follow on social media. How we interact with folks with disabilities. How we think.”
A poll of CWU students and families illustrates that only 4 out of 22 respondents have heard the term inspiration porn and know what it means. 2 of those 4 are Accessibility Studies students here at CWU.
This small sample shows how little people know about the term, and what they see in the media, when it comes to disabilities and inspiration. It’s important to be aware of what inspiration porn is and point it out when we see others sharing.
| “Your excuse is invalid.”
When we click to share the story of a girl with Down Syndrome crowned prom queen, followed by hearts and likes, and that feel good feeling that comes as a result... THAT is inspiration porn. Ask yourself: “Why is my feed not filled daily with able-bodied crowned prom queens?” It’s important to understand the term and to be able to see it, and most importantly, to not share it.
Sam Coyle, junior Psychology major says, “When people aren't aware of how they could be analyzing media, they take the implicit messages in it without ever thinking to challenge them.”
What effect is it having?
Forbes estimates 4.9 billion people use social media globally, with an expected jump to approximately 5.85 billion users by 2027.
Everywhere I go, I see people on their devices. I can’t be the only one dodging fellow students whose eyes are glued to their phones as they walk to class. I’ll be the first to admit, I have stayed up late scrolling through Facebook posts and Instagram stories. With so much of this content available online, this increases the opportunities for sharing inspiring memes with a focus on people with disabilities, objectifying them in the process, whether intentional or not.
| “The only disability in life is a bad attitude.” - Scott Hamilton
“Every time I see an image of a disabled individual in some kind of advertisement, I wonder how much that corporation has done to promote awareness and education. Has it been involved in lobbying to ensure that insurance companies don’t exploit the loopholes that render disabled people left behind?" explains Chris Prange-Morgan, author of Broken, Brave, and Bittersweet.
Stella Young sums it up best: “That quote, ‘the only disability in life is a bad attitude,’ the reason that’s bullshit is no amount of smiling at a flight of stairs has ever made it turn into a ramp.”
What is a better alternative to inspiration porn?
Now that you know what inspiration porn is, ask yourself: “What should I share on social media instead?” Better yet, ask yourself: “How can I be an ally?” Go to the source. In this day of Snapchat and Instagram, follow those who are sharing their own stories. Many people with disabilities are bringing awareness to issues, trends and sharing their personal experiences.
“Fully understanding the stories of specific, disabled people in history and in modern life will do so much more than headlines of disabled people with no focus on them outside their disability,” explains Coyle.
| “What’s your excuse?”
I recently found the YouTube and TikTok channel for Andrew Montzingo, a CWU alum, teacher and content creator. Using the Instagram account @mrmontzingo, Montzingo shares stories about his life as a little person. Montzingo's mother and brother, Vicki and Pete Montzingo, collaborate to destigmatize being a little person using the account @petemontzingo.
I took the opportunity to ask everyone to share apps, influencers and more media related to this topic that they consume.
Wright shares, “An Instagram profile that I follow, and the username is Wheelchair Rapunzel...she uses a power chair, and she celebrates disabled bodies. Her own body in particular. She has body formation differences due to her disability and she posts pictures of herself in lingerie, in her swimsuits. And she's like, you know, disabled bodies can be sexy.”
Engel shares, “On IG, I follow @disabilityinsight, @reallyrenca, @disabilityreframed, @msdeafqueen, @la.spoonie.collective, and so many more.”
Being an ally is vital and doable. Take a minute to peruse one of the listed creators above and learn about the disabled community. Connect with CWU resources such as Disability Services or the Diversity and Equity Center. Join clubs on campus and connect with like-minded students: CWU ABLE, CWU ASC Club, and CWU ASL club are just a few that focus on disability and inclusivity.
Coyle expresses, "You don't realize in your day-to-day life. [So having actual, disabled people share their experiences.] And even if it's just quick, infographic, quick, one minute videos talking about something that happened to them that day. It opens you up to understanding them as people as well as the greater disabled community.”
