The best part about Avatar's disability rep is the fact they knew how to make blind jokes without being insulting about it. None of the jokes were mean or felt like they were specifically directed towards Toph's disability, as you said- most of the jokes are the fact she's so capable her friends forget she's blind.
if i remember correctly, most of the jokes being said actually come from toph herself then the other members of the cast. i think toph being self-aware while also being capable is really good story telling to remind the audience that she is indeed blind but that does not mean she is incapable.
@@DoremiFasolatido1979 She is still blind though. hence the joke of the poster being upside down and the whole 'it's so dark down here, I can't see a thing' Toph: "Oh no, what a nightmare!" dripping with sarcasm lol. Sure within the show and how it works, she's a bender, like a lot of people. Her blindness helped her connect to her bending on a deeper level than other earth benders.
@@merlin5662 At least a few just came from Sokka being the air-headed dufous that we love. There are a limited number of cases were her vision is less, but most of the time her vision isn't less than theirs, it's more. SO it's easy for her friends (Sokka) to forget because most of the time she's more capable than the rest of the gaang when it comes to "seeing"
As a disabled person, I hate when people act like my disability isn't disabling. Yes, you can write a character who overcomes it, but I would prefer it if we didn't just pretend that it goes away after you get powerful enough. Anyway, yes, characters are more than their disabilities but we need to remember that it is disabling. Toph, does it right. Super powerful but can't do everything due to her disability, which is relatable.
Thank you ! I keep seeing people pushing these ideas that are blatantly false and I can't understand why. Even without a big disability, with something as little and "trivial" as being shortsighted, which I am to a large degree, IS a weakness. My eyes need a heavy correction, and without it, I would be greatly impaired in my day to day life, and it still manages to have an impact (any time water is involved). Of course, it is a weakness. The point should never be that it is not, but that it does not define you or make you somehow inferior as a human.
This. My disability is crippling, so yes, it's empowering when a disabled person succeeds, but it's absolutely a weakness. Saying it's not undercuts our feelings and struggles.
This! I'm autistic, and yeah, it did help me do well in school, but a 30-minute grocery run will wipe me out for half the day. I'm still a full person with a life, complex emotions and a rich inner world (which some people apparently find hard to believe 🙄), there's just some things I can't do. And that's not a character flaw! A person's worth is not decided by their ability to contribute to society, it's decided by the fact that they're a _person._
Sevika is disabled BECAUSE of her loyalty, she sacrificed her hand for Silco's life. Throughout the show her prosthetic shows her allegiance. Toph's disability is treated as such only by her parents, in the rest of the show it's a difference - she can perceive through walls, in the dark and through lies, but she can't read or perceive drawings or printings. Isha's deafness is shown rather than told, but the core of her character is her commitment to Zaun, second only to Sevika's.
@@Simon-A.-Tan I think she's severely hearing impaired. She doesn't react to spoken words whenever her back is turned, even if its some big ass revelations by jinx when she looks up she just seems confused. She seems to rely on reading lips if she really wanted to understand something.
@@Simon-A.-Tan Not necessarity. As mentioned by someone somewhere (I don't remember where I saw it), Isha doesn't react to what Jinx says when she's not looking at her (aka isn't lip-reading her). She also looks vaguely confused when Vander gets startled by the hammer noise in the commune and steps to protect him. And we know she's not really mute because she screams for Jinx when Sevika runs away with her from Stillwater at Jinx's request. I think the person who brought it up said something along the lines that Isha seems to be at least partially deaf, in the sense that she can't hear the frequencies at which people talk but might hear louder, lower or more high-pitched sounds (I don't remember what they said exactly but it make sense), and she makes little noises that are apparently characteristic of deaf children (noises she is probably not aware that she's making). That, and there is the mention of how Isha's montage of her time with Jinx doesn't consist of spoken words, but of fun experiences they've had together. Someone also brought up the fact of Isha's Song not being sung in English being part of giving a portion of the audience an experience of having to feel the moment without understanding what is being said verbally (this specific point might just be reading a little too far into things, but still, conceptually it's a great idea that I choose to believe in).
@veronicawexel1291 I see you saw schnees video :) I'm not sure if she's deaf or not, I don't know the definition of being mute, but either way Isha is nonverbal, she can make sounds, but she can't talk. I'm not sure if she'd be able to learn lip reading in such a short time and in this environment if she was deaf all her life and if she became deaf later in life that can't be the reason why she's nonverbal. I'm more leaning towards her just being nonverbal, but being in her world most of the time when people talk to her. Maybe she can't comprehend words well. Either way she is really well written and I love her. It hurt to see her go
I mean his disability is a big part of the plot. The true reason he became the machine herald was to rid himself of his imperfections, including his disability. While he hides it behind his snarky personality, he experiences deep self hatred and because he could never form meaningful relationships (besides Jayce) he fears leaving behind nothing after he dies (which is why he was so obsessed with making the hexcore work). His motivations are inheretly human, which makes him so relatable.
@Elizabeth-hc3miyeah I liked how Jayces line near the end was about “beauty in imperfections” and how things don’t need fixing because they made viktor who he was
@@JoshThomas892 What got me was his line to jayce: "in all futures, in all timelines, only you were the one to show me grace." The thought of grace is so important to me, to understand without being able to experientially understand.
the way I forget Sevika is an amputee kinda shows this cause I see her as one of the most Imposing strong and badass characters that you don't see her disability as a weakness.
funny thing, i allways forget toph blindness, because she is writen so good, i dont focus on her personality and her strengh rather then her lack of vison.
Hiccup and Toothless from httyd are also disabled! Toothless can’t fly without his tail fin prosthetic and Hiccup lost his leg. Instead of being put in a negative light, their disabilities are used as plot devices both in the movies and in the shows. In movie one, Toothless’s prosthetic catching fire gives them a time limit to defeat the Red Death. In movie 3, Hiccup disconnects his prosthetic leg to doom the villain to a cold icy fate. In the Race to the Edge show, there’s an episode revolving around Hiccup running out of his spare legs, but that just a plot device for the story of Barf and Belch in that episode.
I agree with all of these points, but when writing disabled characters, remember we are still average people. Like if you make all your disabled characters super heroes or people who do things in spite of your disability, it's not the best representation of disabled characters. Like my accomplishments aren't in spite of my disabilities, I work with them in order to do things. And being disabled doesn't automatically give me super powers or make me better than anyone else at things. It's okay to write characters like this especially when their disability is supernatural, but also keep in mind how real disabled people are and try to write more like that.
I think Isha is maybe a good example of this. She is pretty heroic in the end, but that's neither because of or in spite of her disability. Other then that she is just a kid, pretty capable but still reliant on the help of older people
also the fact that they are called disabilities because, inherently, they make things more difficult. im physically disabled and deal with a lot of chronic pain. some would argue this is a "superpower" because i have a higher pain tolerance because of it. its not, though, because i can still struggle to do certain tasks, because it Hurts More to do so sometimes. im not saying this is the case for everyone, of course, but it would be nice to keep in mind that while disabilities arent always Horrible and Awful, they do sometimes make things difficult. make your disabled characters need a day to rest after doing something big like a huge fight or even walking around all day, make them know their limits and tell others "i really cant do that, itll just hurt me" instead of forcing them to push through. make your disabled characters actually disabled.
@@raviosolaire im also kinda disabled. Is having a medical condition count as disabled even if all my limbs and senses are still working..? Either way, its hard for me to do physical tasks and it gets really hard to breath. So reading the "know your limits" part of your comment really gets me. Because sometimes, i forget i even have a disability, and i push myself too hard. So reading this comment made me remember that its okay to tell others about my disability and not force myself to do things i cant do. Thanks for that :D
there is a fantastic video called "What Hawkeye Gets Right | Disability Representation in Media" by questing reforge, that touches on your aspect of disability representation.
@@kiara_playz8439Disability, by definition, is a (for lack of a better word-) condition that inherently can negatively impact your day-to-day life by way of inconvenience or inhibiting you in some way. If your medical condition fits that description, you are disabled. What you are describing sounds like what’s called an “invisible disability”; one that others might not be able to see from the outside, but that still significantly impacts you. Hope this helps :)
Animation has the best representation in general. I genuinely can't watch most "normal" movies/series anymore because of how stereotypical it often is, and because animation is already ahead.
@theslitherbee Yeah, mostly all of the "regular" movies/tv shows are stereotypical and I think might be the reason people with disabilities are treated like this?
Well, we have a very good Daredevil Tv show but the character is originally from a comic and some people don't like he (is funny that he can "read" text bc it is written in ink 💀)
Fun fact: Isha is most likely nerve deaf. If you watch closely, you can see she always looks at people's lips instead of their eyes when they're talking, indicating she's lip-reading. She also never responds to anything anyone says out of her view, but does react to some sounds. This likely means she can hear some frequencies, but not most, and not the ones required for human speech. (Source: Schnee discusses it at length in one of his videos, and even talks to a friend who works with deaf children. Can't remember exactly which video, though)
I've been disabled since I was 2, and I'm so glad to see people getting more and more nuanced views about disability, especially in the media. In a certain way, disability makes you feel lesser or lacking, because you end up seeing yourself that way when you only have a "normal" point of reference. For this reason, Viktor's character arc is telling: he suffered from his disability not because he was different, but because it made him feel alone and acted as a brake, preventing him from fully embracing his passion. That's why he tries to fix himself and all the broken souls of the undercity, not realizing that he’s only reproducing the enforcement of a norm he suffered from. He didn’t become more human, just less disabled. At the cost of his uniqueness and humanity. It's a fine line, because our disability isn't a chance or an opportunity. Celebrating diversity isn't enough to make living with a disability bearable. I’d even argue that it’s a burden because you have a lot of work to do to understand who you actually are and how you can feel whole. I spent 30 years silencing myself, trying to be normal, doing what was expected of me, constantly judging myself harshly for not being able to do what others can do easily. But now I finally understand that the answer is not control, resolve, or even strength. The goal is not to overcome the obstacle of disability, but to find people who understand you, who are interested in spending time with you, and who will prove to you that you were wrong to be afraid of being yourself. If you're struggling with a disability, I hope it will get better and that you’ll find a pace that works for you. I know it’s frightening, but there are people out there who are willing to take your hand and walk a few miles with you. And it will make it worth it.
0:31 I’m disabled (I have dystonia) and while having a disability doesn’t inherently make me weak, it is a weakNESS and I do struggle with specific things. I think it’s alright to have small scenes dedicated to showing that, Kaz Brekker from Six of Crows is a good example. One of his legs sits wrong and so he uses a cane, but is much more than his disability. He’s smart and dangerous and one of the most wanted criminals, but he struggles with walking down stairs and doing some physical activities. It’s great representation and it also shows that you can be good at one thing and not at another and how that’s completely fine. Sorry if I worded it poorly English isn’t my first language :3
I LOVE that Kaz is depicted as being the deadliest and most dangerous person in Ketterdam. I am so sick and tired of Inspiration Porn, and so badly want more disabled antiheroes like him.
A lot of 80s cartoons always had one episode with a person who had a disability, be it deaf or blind or something, introduced once, and their disability was what was needed to save the day, such as a deaf person being able to read lips to learn the villains plans. Two reoccurring disabled characters were Chip Carlson in Transformers, a wheelchair bound computer expert, and Lynx-O, a blind old Thundaran in Thundercats, but these never really impacted the story. Often the lesson was handicap means handicapable. And then we got Toph, this 12 year old sparky, blind badass, who has this disability and made it a strength. Most the jokes about her being blind are from her, and never delivered in a self-deprecating or insulting manner. And I think it's great she became part of the main group, and was such a well written character.
Except.. disabillities are disabillities and not superpowers. Real blind people dont get magic hearing. Missing a sense doesnt boost another you just have to learn how to navigate around it. For toph it works. It makes sense with where and how she was born. If she was a fire bender she would be fully blind. But they Also show parts where her disabillity makes her _disabled_. Like on water, wood or in the air. Part of her story _is_ accepting help, including for her disabillity. Because its relevant. But many other shows just use it as a character trait but never a disabillity. They think that this way it means 'theyre not defined by their disabillity' but really it just denies help and aknowledgement. Sure they dont care because theyre fictional and they dont need it. But real people do. Writing liken that feels disingenuine. If you write a disabled character you should show that they are disabled/how it disables them and how they get around it. An art loving blind person might be good at music, but thats not because they have better ears but because they practiced music and not painting to tell their stories. An autistic person is still a full concious person. Not either some kind of ignorant nerd genius or 'completely useless'. But most intentional characters always are. (* ) Someone in a wheelchair can be completely independand, but only if the world around them allows it We shouldnt be portrayed as just the runt, yes. But it doesnt give you superpowers and it doesnt Not matter either. Many peoples disabillities are a major part of who they are.. you shouldnt reduce them to it but often its still relevant. But ive never really seen that anywhere. * Iam aware that its about some of the better writings. But the wording around it just isnt great. Also the message that 'well you just have to work harder to be so good at something it balances out your flaw and you become a full valid person again' sucks fucking ass. Be disabled. Ask for help when you need it. You dont need to be inspirational, just make sure youre as well as you can be and be kind.
another series that has one of the best diversity representations no one talks about is "the dragon prince". I think the show is labled as a kids show but I honestly enjoyed watching it a lot. The show includes gay couples, the main characters are half-siblings in a mixed family, it includes characters of many ethnics and theres even a deaf & mute character talking in sign language in the whole show, however none of these things are discussed as not normal; The gay, single and step parents are just parent, the gay marriage is just a marriage and the deaf & mute character is one of the strongest warriors. I'd highly recommend watchting the show!
Minor nitpick, Amaya isn't actually mute, as she tries to speak a bit in S5. Other than that, Dragon Prince might be my favourite show of all time. Sad to see it possibly end on thursday
I'm all for writing strengths into characters with disabilities, it's empowering and definitely makes them hellah badass when they keep achieving greatness despite their handicap. However, it's not the ONLY good way to write disability. I think it's just as important to highlight the extent to which a disability can impact someone's life negatively. Not every character has to be this badass that doesn't let their disability hold them back whatsoever, or turn it into something better. Sometimes it's okay to just let someone be weaker than those around them, as long as they are still a good character. There are characters that end up accepting their strengths AND their weaknesses, and then end up doing the best they can with what they have, and I love those kinds of stories. Especially if the event that leads to their disability happens throughout the series, and they are just permanently nerfed from it. Imagine a fighter that loses a leg, and has to sit in a wheelchair for the rest of the series, but they find other ways to contribute, either in a mentor role or finding out that losing that leg was the best thing that ever happened to them, because it got them out of that violent lifestyle. Something like that is another way of writing really good fiction, in my opinion. One theme I really like, and would like to see done more in fiction, is the theme "ability can be a weakness". Someone who is strong is cool and admirable and all that, but what are the side effects of being too strong or skilled? Do you maybe start to lose touch with your empathy, your relationships? Do you foster fear in others? That kind of thing just makes me more excited than anything.
you didnt talk about Viktor and his leg (does it count as disability?) but i feel like i felt most connected to him and how arcane showed that even with weak leg and braces it doesnt make you unable to change things, yeah Viktor became a god but im not talking about that, Im talking about hextech and Viktor's part in it.
As much as i like these potrayals of disabilitys, they also represent sometimes a trend of writing disability that does not actually disable. But the thing is...there are disabilitys that are destroying you so much that you can't contribute anything to society or compensate it with some other inspiring skill. And people will let you know very fast that they wouldn't feel sorry if you would die....
I think that, like Toph, Isha's deafness is a weakness, but also her greatest strength. It's in a very different way, though. To the rest of the world, Jinx was this almost a boogeyman, the very definition of "dangerous." Isha, however, had no preconceived notions about Jinx. She's heard nothing about her, because she can't really hear at all. Upon meeting her, Isha got to see all the best parts of Jinx and not have it be tainted by her reputation. Not only did Jinx kill those gang members, a force that was probably a constant source of oppression in Isha's life, but Jinx killed them with ease, and all seemingly to protect Isha. To Isha, Jinx is a disruptor, someone who's smart, strong, beautiful, and kind. And through her actions, she unconsciously idealizes the version of Jinx that existed only in her eyes. All because she never got the chance to learn about the boogeyman. I just realized this when typing this comment! Jinx's monologue in that first scene taught Isha how to make the most of what she already has, how to smile even when you're staring down the barrel of a gun. I don't think its just coincidence that she stares upwards in her final moments. Basically everyone in Zaun looks up at Piltover with envy and distain. Looking upward symbolizes wanting more for yourself or your loved ones, that what's up there is simply better than what's down here. Arcane shows us this through visuals plenty of times. But when Isha knows her life is about to end, staring down the barrel of her own gun, she looks up and she smiles. Not an ounce of fear in her eyes. Practically, she points the gun to the sky to save Jinx from the blast, but symbolically I think she's rejecting the notion that there could be anything more beautiful than what's right in front of her, right now. There's no place she'd rather be.
@theslitherbeeI’ve heard people say that if you watch closely, Isha really only reacts after she looks at someone’s face. Or her eyes will dart back and forth between characters who aren’t talking, which I guess is a trait in people who are deaf.
I'm disabled, and frankly, it's almost insulting that you say disability is not a weakness. Can you be successful despite your disability? Absolutely, but saying it's not a weakness completely undercuts how difficult it is to push through it to be the person you want to be. It makes me wonder if the creator has any personal experience with being disabled themselves.
I fully agree that this video minimizes the severity of disabilities and just showcases characters that are automatically at peace with them. I think Viktor from Arcane is 1000% a better example than Isha and Sevika when it comes to the reality of disability and chronic illness and I connected with him like no other character before. I don't know why it's controversial/incorrect to say disability is a weakness--it's literally in the name. I feel like fully able-bodied people often believe that minimizing or glossing over disability is a service to us when it just makes more people see our struggle as an excuse.
I am legally classified as disabled, due to autisum and severe dyslexia, and while it's a different example it always aggravated me when a disabled character just "overcame" thier disability. Using dyslexia as an example the Percy Jackson books, it's a throw away that Percy is dyslexic and it's explained his mind is wired to read Greek. It ignores the huge stuggles it can be to do things, it's not all about reading slow or just words seemingly jumbled. Or how so many shows and movings have autisum being a superpower with little to no social awareness, rather than the reality of struggling to hold a job or get a house or learn or the various other ways it can and does effect daily life. I love seeing any disability portrayed well, nothing is ever perfect but characters like Isha, Toph and Yuki from A sign of affection are great examples. And to be clear the not perfect part is because there is no one universal example of any disability, blindness can take many forms for a person, we're they born blind, did they lose it gradually, an accident? Do they have tunnel vision? Also many, many people in the fandoms will find a way to diminish a disabled, the one coming to mind are the people who have been arguing that Isha called Jinx 'Mama' in the prison.
In summary : if you want a good character with disability, have a character that isn't defined by one trait (in that case his disability) (like all good characters)
As a disabled person, I’d personally prefer more nuance rather than a disabled character not being negatively affected by their disability(s). Don’t get me wrong, there’s a specific joy of being disabled in terms of community and growth, but make sure your characters have their bad days/moments! We are called disabled for a reason (as in we have it harder than abled people)
It's crazy that what I remember from Sevika was not her disabilty but her loyalty, her scene where she slashed Finn instead of Silco is so great that it's outshine all of her scene really, the same can be said for Isha and Toph too, the writter made sure that people remember their bravery more than their disability.
There are two different meanings for the term "disabled" used in common context. The first is lacking an ability when compared to other people or "having a disability." The second is being unable to function as well as other people, especially as by holding a job and attending to activities of daily living (ADLs). This can be described as "being disabled." While you can certainly have a job and full functioning or nearly full functioning with the first definition, you cannot do so with the second definition. Many fictional series portray disabilities as something that can be overcome with hard work and diligence, such as with Toph's ability to sense tremors in the earth. They also often show replacing an eye, arm, or other organ with a robot replacement that causes no problems and makes the characters stronger than ever before as rewards for their self-sacrifice. In other words, they tell the story that anyone who is disabled can overcome their disability by working hard and imply that those who can't overcome their disabilities are lazy. The truth is, being disabled *means* that, no matter how hard they work or try, those who are disabled *cannot* compare to the non-disabled in terms of functionality. Otherwise, the government would put them to work instead of sending them checks every month. Non-disabled people don't develop empathy for the disabled because this teaches them to maintain an ableist mentality. This message is insulting and depressing. Disability is a weakness, and it sucks. Representation should show what disability *really* looks like instead of coming up with this unrealistic superhero figures. If disability doesn't impact someone's life, then it's not a disability. Molly Burke, a blind UA-camr, discusses disability representation on her channel. If you're interested in this topic, her videos may be worth checking out. www.youtube.com/@MollyBurkeOfficial/featured
This is just not true, it is a scream people are choosing to interpret as mama. I’m all here for it! I like the interpretation! But it wasn’t actually a word just a scream. /info/nm
Okay. A few things. I've got a hyperacusis due to my autism that basically enhances my hearing to the point of excruciating pain, which, to me, is the thing of focus here. I am not able to function at all without some kind of ear protection, and yet people keep telling me how cool and special my disability is. I have been told multiple times that it is 'such an amazing superpower', and that I should stop focusing on the bad parts of it, when really, there are no good parts!!! There is nothing fun or cool or special about crying in agony during my graduation ceremony because there were too many people clapping. There is not one advantage to this. It's just painful. I hate the idea of people trying to see the positive in someone else's disability, which they have no way of relating to or understanding. And also, if you forget that a character is disabled, that is not good representation of disability! Sevika is great representation of amputees, not because she 'overcomes her weakness' through cool gimmicky prosthetics, but because we see her remove them! We see her struggle, WHILE she is also being badass. Her disability is not hidden, it's nothing to be ashamed of. Hell, she even has subtle balance issues due to it! That is so cool! Obviously I don't think that disabled people should only be shown as suffering. That is a harmful kind of representation in itself which absolutely NEEDS to be addressed more! There is a thin line here which should be tread very carefully. It's about balance. I don't like this video. Some of the characters you spoke of are really great representation, but it is very obvious that you wanted to get a certain point across, which is how you missed several things that make these characters actually great representation. Also, I don't get why the Haikyuu kid was in this list? I mean, yeah, the themes you mentioned are definitely there, but just being short doesn't make someone disabled??? Unless you're a little person, which this guy is not. Anyway, in conclusion, practically erasing a disability through some kind of superpower is not a sign of good story telling. We're not superheroes, or, if abled people can see no advantage to us, subhuman. We are just people. If you want to write an accurate disabled character, either draw from your own experiences, or ask people who have the disability themselves! Research harmful clichees so you can avoid them!
I don’t know Isha was mute or deaf? Until they making sign with their hand. What I thought was that Isha was too young and abandoned when young so she didn’t learn how to speak. It was great non the less
Some people who are nerve deaf say she shows signs of nerve deafness. I could’t explain it well here but there’s videos on youtube that talk about it in good detail. It’s in certain things she does
Another anime character who is probably not so well known and understandably as his disability doesn’t play a huge role in his career but it is why he ended up in said career. The man’s name is Yakumo and he is a Rakugo performer, a master. Having been a very withdrawn and sullen young man unhappy about his disability he grows up into a classy, refined and very well known and skilled performer of the arts.
Appreciate the notion, but until you’ve felt and overcame the insane never ending purgatory of phantom limb pain after becoming an amputee…you’re just blowing smoke. Of course disabilities don’t mean just lay down and quit, but it’s a plight you would never be able to understand until you’re in it. Good shxt though 👍🏾
A lot of this sounds like ‘your disability is a special part of you’. ‘I want to see characters with a disability, just not when the disability actually disables them and stops them from doing things.’ As someone with a condition that can be disabling, why are things that disable us seen as a ‘unique feature’ not something debilitating! I understand trying to frame things positively but like…in my opinion not acknowledging all the pain and suffering is just a bad framing.
yes!!! i agree. im autistic and i love myself, especially lots of my autistic traits, but i still struggle because im autistic! if i were to see an autistic character who was all about “owning” their disability but the shutdowns, social struggles, sensory issues etc. were shown briefly or even not at all it would not be “good representation.” being disabled isnt all glamorous but its also not all doom and gloom. nuance, please 😭😭😭 /lh
It's easy to fall on the trap of thinking seismic sense is cool and then making your character in turn have some ability that negates their disability, which is not a good thing, seismic sense works because toph is still blind despite having it, she can't feel things coming from above, she obviously can't read and seismic sense gets completely stunted in the air or sand, and that's made ABUNDANTLY clear in the show, so don't write disabled characters just to make them have a thing that essentially makes them not disabled anymore Sevika falls into this too btw, her first arm drugged her to hell and back and her second was unreliable for being a slot machine that sometimes does absolutely nothing, also she loses both of the prosthetic arms, and i believe that's intentional, they show her struggling when she does lose it but she's not even a little less badass because of it Anyway, that's my 2 cents on the matter
another show who writes disability really well is the dragon prince! I think the shows writing is good in general but they have a main(ish) character who's deaf and as a general, you should definitely check it out :D
This video truly highlights how limitless the human spirit is. To me, it breaks my heart to see those who have a disability of any kind because since we live in such a cruel world, they’re easily pushed away by most people when they believe that they’re useless. Therefore, every time that I see those individuals become more than what they are and what everyone say about them, I beam with pride. TBH, I never knew that Isha was a disabled person because I assumed that she chose not to speak anymore for whatever the reason may be since we literally knew nothing about her throughout Season 2. However, it didn’t stop her for being bold when facing those who are twice her size or when the situation requires an extra hand. Thus, although I believe that God will soon eradicate such imperfections since he never wanted mankind to live like this, you can be damn sure that He too is proud to see them excel in their own respective fields and win the hearts and minds of many who saw them for who they are on the inside rather than the outside. Thank you for your summary, Aniholic.
I didn't like the points you made in this video. I have been disabled since birth and while I love all of these characters, the advice of a character should be more than just disabled falls short for me. This whole video feels like it minimises the pain and suffering that is disability, especially since you grouped in Hinata.
I think its also important to highlight that when making a disabled character, you shouldn't make the disability everything there is about character, else they are just a token forced in for brownie points. Let it flow into story the while the character showcase that not everything about them is the disability the have or they overcome it.
well depend, we all have weaknesses and dissability can be one depending of the dissability and the challenge, like... try escaping warwick while being paralized... that would be a fucking big weakness, me for exemple i can't smell, dosen't bother me that much in life, even allowing me to eat the smellyest food ever, but if i forgot to turn off the gas and there is a leak i won't smell it... it's a weakness.
Several Deaf and HoH people have said Isha is deaf, at least to some extent, and that she reacts to the world in a similar way as they do. For example, you might notice that she watches people's mouths when they speak, and completely "ignores" any speech that is outside her line of sight.
this is a very superficial analysis... Dis-ability is literally "less able"/"un able"/"not able". That said, overcoming physical/mental/emotional shortcomings (disability) makes it clear that that person have character/strength that makes them more badass then any normal "able" person. Sevika was badass before the injury, and she kept going, proving she is badass (maybe she didn't even know herself how well she would be able to overcome the loss of her hand) but she could also just stay at home and cry for the loss of her arm... and that ability to overcome is individual, highlighted by the disability, but the disability doesn't make EVERYONE stronger and as abled as normal people (which is implied by the video). Disability is a "make or brake" life changing event (in case of injury), or a hard life long battle that often build character and skills to make it in life. Just like any kind of physical training, the harder it is to do it, the stronger you get... and when disabled IT IS harder, so if you are out there living your life you are just as abled as any normal person. This can also be said for living in poverty, the rich will never know your struggle, and if you grow up to make a living and be able to care foryourself you are more capable then any rich kid that had it easy. Disability isn't a super power, it just force you to be the best you can be.
growth is the keyword, though this is also the case when disability is not the topic. the character gets/is born with a disability, so they must learn to deal with it well or use it to their advantage. just dont do it overly stupid toph cant see, but this elevates her sense of touch (or she learns to improve it). earthbending is about manipulating the ground, and since she can sense the ground much better, its easier for her to master the skill. viktor from arcane has a problem with his leg/hip or smth, making it harder for him to fit in with the others, so he focuses on intelligence, and is part of hextech's development. josh from watch dogs 2 is autistic with aspergers, but its not something you really notice (at least i didnt. gets mentioned, and confirmed in a dlc). he has a better memory for some things, and prepares for things in case it proves useful
I have a mute child in one of my own stories. She not only ends up being the one to finally defeat the antagonist, but she’s also the bridge between my protagonist and his love interest (an enemies to lovers situation).
An amazing part about Isha is when jinx was fighting vander in the prison and vi rushed isha out, isha did let out sounds some people hear it as mama or it just being sounds but either way it showed her emotions there where she physically made herself heard it only for a second. BECAUSE SHE LOVES JINX
Probably because his story is about him "surpassing" his disability instead of finding a way to be great despite of it. He sees himself as broken and more flawed because of it until his last confrontation in the series.
I think it's cuz, unlike Isha, Toph, and Sevika, who weren't defined by their disabilities and rarely ever spared a thought towards them, Victor hated his disability, and himself to a degree, and ultimately began to succumb to the despair he felt towards his disability.
For me the best representation disability is Detta Walker (Susannah) from the Dark Tower of Stephen King, there only one word that describe her, a menace.Those who read the book know.
Eda from the Owl House is also a great example. She’s an amazing and interesting character, as well as powerful. She’s not perfect, and struggles with accepting it at first, but that’s what makes her so interesting to me.
in Dragon Prince, on of the main characters, Amaya is deaf and can't speak. She communicated through sign language but she's still by are one the most experienced and strong characters in the whole show. She the General of an army and she leads it with utmost bravery!!!
Another character I really like was Cyrus borg from ninjago, I know he's not the best example because he's not like a big character but look how he succeeded in building a whole industry of new technology, I dunno I thought that was rlly cool
I would say yes and no as some disabilities are not weaknesses but I would say a lot of them have very unique challenges to over come that is best way I can put it as I'm apart of the disability commuity
Isha not speaking gave me flashbacks to DOTA... Probably one of the most fun characters (and physically strong) and so dang impactful without ever saying a word. Seriously, though... that's also a really good show... I wish it got a bit of limelight because it really does play with the sense of self and importance in such an interesting way.
uhh *nitpicking* but during the prison scene where warwick comes and fights jinx when isha is being dragged away you can hear her screem "MAMA" anyway outside that nitpick the video is great and shows HOW to wirte disabilty with great examples such as isha and also toph
Wasn’t just isha. Steb the eel vistia enforcer. He’s mute to I also think Jericho can’t talk as well. In his case though I think it’s because of the type of vestia he is. As his sub sect is from the deepest parts of the bottom of the ocean. So he probably can talk just not on land Arcane had ALOT of mute characters
"Sevika is potentially the most badass female character in all of Arcane". I agree, but this can be said with all the main female characters of Arcane! They are all so good! In different ways but all of them excel at badassery and coolness.
Disability is a weakness, it’s just not any different than any other weakness like being rash, or missing some skill or background. Writing it otherwise is caused by people who are both bad writers, and have probably never met a disabled person. A person is filled with hopes, dreams, wishes, skills, weaknesses, and so much more. The classic example of poor character writing is to make a 1 note character who only is one aspect of what makes a person, complex. In this case disability is the same as any other trait, when used to define the entirety of a character you get a bad one note character who of course will be either pathetic, or unrealistically strong. No strong disabled character is strong because of their disability, they are strong because they overcame it.
Im disabled but its never been a weakness it’s helped me become who I am. Not all disabled people have weaknesses just like how non disabled people do have weaknesses
@@PrinceOfTheSounda disability is a weakness though that’s why it’s called that but that doesn’t mean people have to be defined by that weakness or don’t have the ability to overcome their disability.
i feel loike disabilities aof lost limbs and robot arms are more acesories and visual storytelling then a character trait. arcane dose it cool though that you see them before the acident. i liked that alot in shadow of mordor and shadow of war too. orcs comin back with limb replacements.
Tem a Amaya de o príncipe dragão - mistério de Aaravos,que é uma personagem surda e eu diria que é a personagem com deficiência que essa característica foi mais naturalizada que eu já vi
I'm 2 minutes in and as a disabled person, I disagree entirely. You said: "You write the disability as a trait to the character but not every single thing about them. You write and develop your characters as if they were any other and along the way, this trait as many would see as a weakness or something that needs repairing, won't even come into question anymore. And eventually, like I said, may even be forgotten about altogether." WHAT THE ABSOLUTE FK?! There are so many things wrong with this sentence. 1) Disability is not a trait, IT'S AN IDENTITY. (talking about demeaning) And a lot of us are damn proud of it! 2) Disabled characters ARE like anyone else! That's the problem with this sentence is you put your assumption that disabled people are something 'special' (god we hate that word). We are just people, so write us like disabled people. Why are you putting us in a separate group (segregation)? 3) SOCIETY labels disabled as a weakness/fix us and ignorant people adopt this as truth therefore we come 'in question.' Just the way this is said, GAH! What you should question is WHY SOCIETY DOES THIS IN THE FIRST PLACE AND FIGHT BACK AGAINST IT! 4) WE DON'T WANT TO BE FORGOTTEN, ERASED AND CHANGED! OUR DISABILTY IS OUR IDENTITY! TO 'FORGET' IT IS TO ERASE US AS WE ARE! Because when you do this, you NOW see us through the censored lens of an able-bodied person and that is NOT our lives! I can't even bring myself to watch the rest!
"Disability isn't a weakness" Honestly, I disagree. Disabled people are usually weaker than the non-disabled so it is a weakness. But the persons worth isn't defined on how mentally or physically strong they are, if it was like that only top athlets would be worth something Or maybe you meant weakness like a flaw so than I agree
I know that disabled people are not a monolyth. But the disabled creators I have seen talk about Arcane so far where pretty unhappy about the representation in it. And I find their reasoning very convincing.
For Savika i agree that the show does not center her character on her disability. She is not defined by it. However i am not convinced this is a good depiction of disability because she is defeated and held back from her potential in fightings when characters attack her prosthetic. It is about framing i just don’t think the framing is a positive as i would like.
i think when it comes to a character with a prosthetic fighting the depiction of yang from rwby mightve done a better job at it? theres also a scene of her confronting her mom while not having her prosthetic that framed her as very powerful which i really like
Hi! You talked about Haikyuu!! and I think your point is fair even if it's more about disadvantage than disability, however adding Nishinoya in your analysis would have been relevant to go a bit deeper, for he actually is the smallest member of the team and there are 2 points that are worth talking about. First one, he's a libero, hence the only "small-friendly" role of the team, and he is a brilliant one, even nicknamed "a god" by many players, making him the one who "embrace his sort-of disability". Second one... he doesn't fit the role in a socially acceptable way. At some point in season 2, Kageyama is chosen to train in a national camp. Hinata is not chosen because he's too small. But a few characters actually ask why Nishinoya, who is as brilliant as Kageyama, isn't chosen either, despite his size not being a subject as a libero, and the answer is that his personnality is not the one "prefered" in a libero, for he's overly energetic and loud, when a libero "should" be calm and focused. Even if we see Nishinoya litteraly being brilliant, he's dismissed for being, well, himself. And that tackles the topic of being a "good" disabled/disavantaged person, by fitting the one and only role society gives you in the one and only way society finds acceptable. The double-standard is clearly stated in the serie. Both Hinata and Nishinoya fight the norm in their own ways, and both at some point hit hard the glass ceiling. About ATLA, it's worth mention a large part of Toph's character arc is about learning to be helped, which is more or less the opposite of what we would expect from a disabled character. Because, yes. Disability is STILL a weakness. Put her feet out of the ground and she is as helpless as, well, a 12 y-o blind girl, and a lot of her attitude in the early season 2 (and the main reason she fights with Katara, who is parentified af) comes from her fear to be seen (haha) as this helpless little girl she... actually is each time they ride Appa. She has to learn that, even if her disability doesn"t define her, having an actual weakness is normal and backing from it or trying to pretend it's not here because you're scared of it will never be the right move. Because it's not wrong to have weaknesses, it's only human.
“When it comes to diversity and with disabilities, we always need to find a way to express who we are in our own ways.”
absolute fax.. no better way to say
@@AniholicTV XD NO
The best part about Avatar's disability rep is the fact they knew how to make blind jokes without being insulting about it. None of the jokes were mean or felt like they were specifically directed towards Toph's disability, as you said- most of the jokes are the fact she's so capable her friends forget she's blind.
if i remember correctly, most of the jokes being said actually come from toph herself then the other members of the cast. i think toph being self-aware while also being capable is really good story telling to remind the audience that she is indeed blind but that does not mean she is incapable.
Yeah...because she has an entirely impossible magical superpower that almost completely negates her blindness.
@@DoremiFasolatido1979 She is still blind though. hence the joke of the poster being upside down and the whole 'it's so dark down here, I can't see a thing' Toph: "Oh no, what a nightmare!" dripping with sarcasm lol. Sure within the show and how it works, she's a bender, like a lot of people. Her blindness helped her connect to her bending on a deeper level than other earth benders.
@@merlin5662 At least a few just came from Sokka being the air-headed dufous that we love. There are a limited number of cases were her vision is less, but most of the time her vision isn't less than theirs, it's more. SO it's easy for her friends (Sokka) to forget because most of the time she's more capable than the rest of the gaang when it comes to "seeing"
Sokka: I CAN'T SEE ANYTHING! 😱
Toph: Oh no! What a nightmare! 🙄
As a disabled person, I hate when people act like my disability isn't disabling. Yes, you can write a character who overcomes it, but I would prefer it if we didn't just pretend that it goes away after you get powerful enough. Anyway, yes, characters are more than their disabilities but we need to remember that it is disabling.
Toph, does it right. Super powerful but can't do everything due to her disability, which is relatable.
Thank you ! I keep seeing people pushing these ideas that are blatantly false and I can't understand why.
Even without a big disability, with something as little and "trivial" as being shortsighted, which I am to a large degree, IS a weakness. My eyes need a heavy correction, and without it, I would be greatly impaired in my day to day life, and it still manages to have an impact (any time water is involved).
Of course, it is a weakness. The point should never be that it is not, but that it does not define you or make you somehow inferior as a human.
This! I feel this so hard.
This. My disability is crippling, so yes, it's empowering when a disabled person succeeds, but it's absolutely a weakness. Saying it's not undercuts our feelings and struggles.
I agree! I was looking for such a comment to like and found it)
This! I'm autistic, and yeah, it did help me do well in school, but a 30-minute grocery run will wipe me out for half the day. I'm still a full person with a life, complex emotions and a rich inner world (which some people apparently find hard to believe 🙄), there's just some things I can't do. And that's not a character flaw! A person's worth is not decided by their ability to contribute to society, it's decided by the fact that they're a _person._
Sevika is disabled BECAUSE of her loyalty, she sacrificed her hand for Silco's life. Throughout the show her prosthetic shows her allegiance.
Toph's disability is treated as such only by her parents, in the rest of the show it's a difference - she can perceive through walls, in the dark and through lies, but she can't read or perceive drawings or printings.
Isha's deafness is shown rather than told, but the core of her character is her commitment to Zaun, second only to Sevika's.
Isha isn't deaf, she's mute. She can clearly hear and understand Jinx.
@@Simon-A.-Tan I think she's severely hearing impaired. She doesn't react to spoken words whenever her back is turned, even if its some big ass revelations by jinx when she looks up she just seems confused. She seems to rely on reading lips if she really wanted to understand something.
@@Simon-A.-Tan Not necessarity. As mentioned by someone somewhere (I don't remember where I saw it), Isha doesn't react to what Jinx says when she's not looking at her (aka isn't lip-reading her). She also looks vaguely confused when Vander gets startled by the hammer noise in the commune and steps to protect him. And we know she's not really mute because she screams for Jinx when Sevika runs away with her from Stillwater at Jinx's request. I think the person who brought it up said something along the lines that Isha seems to be at least partially deaf, in the sense that she can't hear the frequencies at which people talk but might hear louder, lower or more high-pitched sounds (I don't remember what they said exactly but it make sense), and she makes little noises that are apparently characteristic of deaf children (noises she is probably not aware that she's making). That, and there is the mention of how Isha's montage of her time with Jinx doesn't consist of spoken words, but of fun experiences they've had together. Someone also brought up the fact of Isha's Song not being sung in English being part of giving a portion of the audience an experience of having to feel the moment without understanding what is being said verbally (this specific point might just be reading a little too far into things, but still, conceptually it's a great idea that I choose to believe in).
@veronicawexel1291 Interesting, curious about the canon then.
@veronicawexel1291 I see you saw schnees video :)
I'm not sure if she's deaf or not, I don't know the definition of being mute, but either way Isha is nonverbal, she can make sounds, but she can't talk. I'm not sure if she'd be able to learn lip reading in such a short time and in this environment if she was deaf all her life and if she became deaf later in life that can't be the reason why she's nonverbal. I'm more leaning towards her just being nonverbal, but being in her world most of the time when people talk to her. Maybe she can't comprehend words well. Either way she is really well written and I love her. It hurt to see her go
Viktor in arcane is another character who is much more than his disabilitys. For the most part it was so very unimportant that i forgot at times.
I mean his disability is a big part of the plot. The true reason he became the machine herald was to rid himself of his imperfections, including his disability. While he hides it behind his snarky personality, he experiences deep self hatred and because he could never form meaningful relationships (besides Jayce) he fears leaving behind nothing after he dies (which is why he was so obsessed with making the hexcore work). His motivations are inheretly human, which makes him so relatable.
It also flips the "You need to be healed" trope on its side, as Victor being "healed" goes very south very fast.
@Elizabeth-hc3miyeah I liked how Jayces line near the end was about “beauty in imperfections” and how things don’t need fixing because they made viktor who he was
@@JoshThomas892 What got me was his line to jayce: "in all futures, in all timelines, only you were the one to show me grace." The thought of grace is so important to me, to understand without being able to experientially understand.
@@marbleb33sthe reason he became that was bc he was dying i think
the way I forget Sevika is an amputee kinda shows this cause I see her as one of the most Imposing strong and badass characters that you don't see her disability as a weakness.
funny thing, i allways forget toph blindness, because she is writen so good, i dont focus on her personality and her strengh rather then her lack of vison.
Hiccup and Toothless from httyd are also disabled! Toothless can’t fly without his tail fin prosthetic and Hiccup lost his leg. Instead of being put in a negative light, their disabilities are used as plot devices both in the movies and in the shows.
In movie one, Toothless’s prosthetic catching fire gives them a time limit to defeat the Red Death. In movie 3, Hiccup disconnects his prosthetic leg to doom the villain to a cold icy fate. In the Race to the Edge show, there’s an episode revolving around Hiccup running out of his spare legs, but that just a plot device for the story of Barf and Belch in that episode.
I agree with all of these points, but when writing disabled characters, remember we are still average people. Like if you make all your disabled characters super heroes or people who do things in spite of your disability, it's not the best representation of disabled characters. Like my accomplishments aren't in spite of my disabilities, I work with them in order to do things. And being disabled doesn't automatically give me super powers or make me better than anyone else at things. It's okay to write characters like this especially when their disability is supernatural, but also keep in mind how real disabled people are and try to write more like that.
I think Isha is maybe a good example of this. She is pretty heroic in the end, but that's neither because of or in spite of her disability. Other then that she is just a kid, pretty capable but still reliant on the help of older people
also the fact that they are called disabilities because, inherently, they make things more difficult. im physically disabled and deal with a lot of chronic pain. some would argue this is a "superpower" because i have a higher pain tolerance because of it. its not, though, because i can still struggle to do certain tasks, because it Hurts More to do so sometimes. im not saying this is the case for everyone, of course, but it would be nice to keep in mind that while disabilities arent always Horrible and Awful, they do sometimes make things difficult. make your disabled characters need a day to rest after doing something big like a huge fight or even walking around all day, make them know their limits and tell others "i really cant do that, itll just hurt me" instead of forcing them to push through. make your disabled characters actually disabled.
@@raviosolaire im also kinda disabled. Is having a medical condition count as disabled even if all my limbs and senses are still working..? Either way,
its hard for me to do physical tasks and it gets really hard to breath. So reading the "know your limits" part of your comment really gets me. Because sometimes, i forget i even have a disability, and i push myself too hard. So reading this comment made me remember that its okay to tell others about my disability and not force myself to do things i cant do. Thanks for that :D
there is a fantastic video called "What Hawkeye Gets Right | Disability Representation in Media" by questing reforge, that touches on your aspect of disability representation.
@@kiara_playz8439Disability, by definition, is a (for lack of a better word-) condition that inherently can negatively impact your day-to-day life by way of inconvenience or inhibiting you in some way. If your medical condition fits that description, you are disabled. What you are describing sounds like what’s called an “invisible disability”; one that others might not be able to see from the outside, but that still significantly impacts you. Hope this helps :)
Animation is the medium in which I've seen the best and most respectful portrayals of disability.
Animation has the best representation in general. I genuinely can't watch most "normal" movies/series anymore because of how stereotypical it often is, and because animation is already ahead.
@theslitherbee Yeah, mostly all of the "regular" movies/tv shows are stereotypical and I think might be the reason people with disabilities are treated like this?
Well, we have a very good Daredevil Tv show but the character is originally from a comic and some people don't like he (is funny that he can "read" text bc it is written in ink 💀)
Fun fact: Isha is most likely nerve deaf. If you watch closely, you can see she always looks at people's lips instead of their eyes when they're talking, indicating she's lip-reading. She also never responds to anything anyone says out of her view, but does react to some sounds. This likely means she can hear some frequencies, but not most, and not the ones required for human speech. (Source: Schnee discusses it at length in one of his videos, and even talks to a friend who works with deaf children. Can't remember exactly which video, though)
I've been disabled since I was 2, and I'm so glad to see people getting more and more nuanced views about disability, especially in the media. In a certain way, disability makes you feel lesser or lacking, because you end up seeing yourself that way when you only have a "normal" point of reference. For this reason, Viktor's character arc is telling: he suffered from his disability not because he was different, but because it made him feel alone and acted as a brake, preventing him from fully embracing his passion. That's why he tries to fix himself and all the broken souls of the undercity, not realizing that he’s only reproducing the enforcement of a norm he suffered from. He didn’t become more human, just less disabled. At the cost of his uniqueness and humanity. It's a fine line, because our disability isn't a chance or an opportunity. Celebrating diversity isn't enough to make living with a disability bearable. I’d even argue that it’s a burden because you have a lot of work to do to understand who you actually are and how you can feel whole. I spent 30 years silencing myself, trying to be normal, doing what was expected of me, constantly judging myself harshly for not being able to do what others can do easily. But now I finally understand that the answer is not control, resolve, or even strength. The goal is not to overcome the obstacle of disability, but to find people who understand you, who are interested in spending time with you, and who will prove to you that you were wrong to be afraid of being yourself. If you're struggling with a disability, I hope it will get better and that you’ll find a pace that works for you. I know it’s frightening, but there are people out there who are willing to take your hand and walk a few miles with you. And it will make it worth it.
I hadn't even realized Sevika is disabled until you pointed it out just now.
0:31 I’m disabled (I have dystonia) and while having a disability doesn’t inherently make me weak, it is a weakNESS and I do struggle with specific things. I think it’s alright to have small scenes dedicated to showing that, Kaz Brekker from Six of Crows is a good example. One of his legs sits wrong and so he uses a cane, but is much more than his disability. He’s smart and dangerous and one of the most wanted criminals, but he struggles with walking down stairs and doing some physical activities. It’s great representation and it also shows that you can be good at one thing and not at another and how that’s completely fine.
Sorry if I worded it poorly English isn’t my first language :3
I LOVE that Kaz is depicted as being the deadliest and most dangerous person in Ketterdam. I am so sick and tired of Inspiration Porn, and so badly want more disabled antiheroes like him.
@@juliastrawn2113 REAAAALLLLL
A lot of 80s cartoons always had one episode with a person who had a disability, be it deaf or blind or something, introduced once, and their disability was what was needed to save the day, such as a deaf person being able to read lips to learn the villains plans. Two reoccurring disabled characters were Chip Carlson in Transformers, a wheelchair bound computer expert, and Lynx-O, a blind old Thundaran in Thundercats, but these never really impacted the story. Often the lesson was handicap means handicapable.
And then we got Toph, this 12 year old sparky, blind badass, who has this disability and made it a strength. Most the jokes about her being blind are from her, and never delivered in a self-deprecating or insulting manner. And I think it's great she became part of the main group, and was such a well written character.
Except.. disabillities are disabillities and not superpowers.
Real blind people dont get magic hearing. Missing a sense doesnt boost another you just have to learn how to navigate around it.
For toph it works. It makes sense with where and how she was born. If she was a fire bender she would be fully blind.
But they Also show parts where her disabillity makes her _disabled_. Like on water, wood or in the air. Part of her story _is_ accepting help, including for her disabillity. Because its relevant.
But many other shows just use it as a character trait but never a disabillity. They think that this way it means 'theyre not defined by their disabillity' but really it just denies help and aknowledgement. Sure they dont care because theyre fictional and they dont need it. But real people do.
Writing liken that feels disingenuine.
If you write a disabled character you should show that they are disabled/how it disables them and how they get around it.
An art loving blind person might be good at music, but thats not because they have better ears but because they practiced music and not painting to tell their stories.
An autistic person is still a full concious person. Not either some kind of ignorant nerd genius or 'completely useless'. But most intentional characters always are. (* )
Someone in a wheelchair can be completely independand, but only if the world around them allows it
We shouldnt be portrayed as just the runt, yes. But it doesnt give you superpowers and it doesnt Not matter either. Many peoples disabillities are a major part of who they are.. you shouldnt reduce them to it but often its still relevant. But ive never really seen that anywhere.
* Iam aware that its about some of the better writings. But the wording around it just isnt great.
Also the message that 'well you just have to work harder to be so good at something it balances out your flaw and you become a full valid person again' sucks fucking ass.
Be disabled. Ask for help when you need it. You dont need to be inspirational, just make sure youre as well as you can be and be kind.
just burn every direction and find the screams, duh
another series that has one of the best diversity representations no one talks about is "the dragon prince". I think the show is labled as a kids show but I honestly enjoyed watching it a lot. The show includes gay couples, the main characters are half-siblings in a mixed family, it includes characters of many ethnics and theres even a deaf & mute character talking in sign language in the whole show, however none of these things are discussed as not normal; The gay, single and step parents are just parent, the gay marriage is just a marriage and the deaf & mute character is one of the strongest warriors. I'd highly recommend watchting the show!
Amaya is one of the baddest characters ever ❤
Ooo yes I loved “the dragon price” Amaya is such a good character!
I had actually forgotten about The Dragon Prince’s disability rep until you mentioned it. But, I would absolutely echo this recommendation 👍🏼⭐️
Minor nitpick, Amaya isn't actually mute, as she tries to speak a bit in S5. Other than that, Dragon Prince might be my favourite show of all time. Sad to see it possibly end on thursday
Counter. DP has a really bad take on disabilities, Amaya being one of the examples.
I'm all for writing strengths into characters with disabilities, it's empowering and definitely makes them hellah badass when they keep achieving greatness despite their handicap. However, it's not the ONLY good way to write disability. I think it's just as important to highlight the extent to which a disability can impact someone's life negatively. Not every character has to be this badass that doesn't let their disability hold them back whatsoever, or turn it into something better. Sometimes it's okay to just let someone be weaker than those around them, as long as they are still a good character.
There are characters that end up accepting their strengths AND their weaknesses, and then end up doing the best they can with what they have, and I love those kinds of stories. Especially if the event that leads to their disability happens throughout the series, and they are just permanently nerfed from it. Imagine a fighter that loses a leg, and has to sit in a wheelchair for the rest of the series, but they find other ways to contribute, either in a mentor role or finding out that losing that leg was the best thing that ever happened to them, because it got them out of that violent lifestyle. Something like that is another way of writing really good fiction, in my opinion.
One theme I really like, and would like to see done more in fiction, is the theme "ability can be a weakness". Someone who is strong is cool and admirable and all that, but what are the side effects of being too strong or skilled? Do you maybe start to lose touch with your empathy, your relationships? Do you foster fear in others? That kind of thing just makes me more excited than anything.
you didnt talk about Viktor and his leg (does it count as disability?) but i feel like i felt most connected to him and how arcane showed that even with weak leg and braces it doesnt make you unable to change things, yeah Viktor became a god but im not talking about that, Im talking about hextech and Viktor's part in it.
As much as i like these potrayals of disabilitys, they also represent sometimes a trend of writing disability that does not actually disable. But the thing is...there are disabilitys that are destroying you so much that you can't contribute anything to society or compensate it with some other inspiring skill. And people will let you know very fast that they wouldn't feel sorry if you would die....
invincible's rudy still has roboting skill preclone, so probably doesn't fit your def
Agreed. My disability has completely crippled me, and more often than not my life feels like a waste.
I think that, like Toph, Isha's deafness is a weakness, but also her greatest strength. It's in a very different way, though.
To the rest of the world, Jinx was this almost a boogeyman, the very definition of "dangerous." Isha, however, had no preconceived notions about Jinx. She's heard nothing about her, because she can't really hear at all. Upon meeting her, Isha got to see all the best parts of Jinx and not have it be tainted by her reputation. Not only did Jinx kill those gang members, a force that was probably a constant source of oppression in Isha's life, but Jinx killed them with ease, and all seemingly to protect Isha.
To Isha, Jinx is a disruptor, someone who's smart, strong, beautiful, and kind. And through her actions, she unconsciously idealizes the version of Jinx that existed only in her eyes. All because she never got the chance to learn about the boogeyman.
I just realized this when typing this comment! Jinx's monologue in that first scene taught Isha how to make the most of what she already has, how to smile even when you're staring down the barrel of a gun. I don't think its just coincidence that she stares upwards in her final moments. Basically everyone in Zaun looks up at Piltover with envy and distain. Looking upward symbolizes wanting more for yourself or your loved ones, that what's up there is simply better than what's down here. Arcane shows us this through visuals plenty of times.
But when Isha knows her life is about to end, staring down the barrel of her own gun, she looks up and she smiles. Not an ounce of fear in her eyes. Practically, she points the gun to the sky to save Jinx from the blast, but symbolically I think she's rejecting the notion that there could be anything more beautiful than what's right in front of her, right now. There's no place she'd rather be.
I thought Isha was mute but not deaf
@theslitherbeeI’ve heard people say that if you watch closely, Isha really only reacts after she looks at someone’s face. Or her eyes will dart back and forth between characters who aren’t talking, which I guess is a trait in people who are deaf.
I'm disabled, and frankly, it's almost insulting that you say disability is not a weakness.
Can you be successful despite your disability? Absolutely, but saying it's not a weakness completely undercuts how difficult it is to push through it to be the person you want to be.
It makes me wonder if the creator has any personal experience with being disabled themselves.
I fully agree that this video minimizes the severity of disabilities and just showcases characters that are automatically at peace with them. I think Viktor from Arcane is 1000% a better example than Isha and Sevika when it comes to the reality of disability and chronic illness and I connected with him like no other character before. I don't know why it's controversial/incorrect to say disability is a weakness--it's literally in the name. I feel like fully able-bodied people often believe that minimizing or glossing over disability is a service to us when it just makes more people see our struggle as an excuse.
I am legally classified as disabled, due to autisum and severe dyslexia, and while it's a different example it always aggravated me when a disabled character just "overcame" thier disability. Using dyslexia as an example the Percy Jackson books, it's a throw away that Percy is dyslexic and it's explained his mind is wired to read Greek. It ignores the huge stuggles it can be to do things, it's not all about reading slow or just words seemingly jumbled.
Or how so many shows and movings have autisum being a superpower with little to no social awareness, rather than the reality of struggling to hold a job or get a house or learn or the various other ways it can and does effect daily life.
I love seeing any disability portrayed well, nothing is ever perfect but characters like Isha, Toph and Yuki from A sign of affection are great examples.
And to be clear the not perfect part is because there is no one universal example of any disability, blindness can take many forms for a person, we're they born blind, did they lose it gradually, an accident? Do they have tunnel vision? Also many, many people in the fandoms will find a way to diminish a disabled, the one coming to mind are the people who have been arguing that Isha called Jinx 'Mama' in the prison.
In summary : if you want a good character with disability, have a character that isn't defined by one trait (in that case his disability) (like all good characters)
As a disabled person, I’d personally prefer more nuance rather than a disabled character not being negatively affected by their disability(s). Don’t get me wrong, there’s a specific joy of being disabled in terms of community and growth, but make sure your characters have their bad days/moments! We are called disabled for a reason (as in we have it harder than abled people)
"My worst enemy...stairs"
I have a sticker on my forearm crutch that says "F*** STAIRS"
It's crazy that what I remember from Sevika was not her disabilty but her loyalty, her scene where she slashed Finn instead of Silco is so great that it's outshine all of her scene really, the same can be said for Isha and Toph too, the writter made sure that people remember their bravery more than their disability.
There are two different meanings for the term "disabled" used in common context. The first is lacking an ability when compared to other people or "having a disability." The second is being unable to function as well as other people, especially as by holding a job and attending to activities of daily living (ADLs). This can be described as "being disabled." While you can certainly have a job and full functioning or nearly full functioning with the first definition, you cannot do so with the second definition.
Many fictional series portray disabilities as something that can be overcome with hard work and diligence, such as with Toph's ability to sense tremors in the earth. They also often show replacing an eye, arm, or other organ with a robot replacement that causes no problems and makes the characters stronger than ever before as rewards for their self-sacrifice.
In other words, they tell the story that anyone who is disabled can overcome their disability by working hard and imply that those who can't overcome their disabilities are lazy. The truth is, being disabled *means* that, no matter how hard they work or try, those who are disabled *cannot* compare to the non-disabled in terms of functionality. Otherwise, the government would put them to work instead of sending them checks every month. Non-disabled people don't develop empathy for the disabled because this teaches them to maintain an ableist mentality.
This message is insulting and depressing. Disability is a weakness, and it sucks. Representation should show what disability *really* looks like instead of coming up with this unrealistic superhero figures. If disability doesn't impact someone's life, then it's not a disability.
Molly Burke, a blind UA-camr, discusses disability representation on her channel. If you're interested in this topic, her videos may be worth checking out.
www.youtube.com/@MollyBurkeOfficial/featured
4:10 Isha actually does say one thing in the Arcane she screams “Mama” at Jinx
This is just not true, it is a scream people are choosing to interpret as mama. I’m all here for it! I like the interpretation! But it wasn’t actually a word just a scream. /info/nm
Okay. A few things.
I've got a hyperacusis due to my autism that basically enhances my hearing to the point of excruciating pain, which, to me, is the thing of focus here. I am not able to function at all without some kind of ear protection, and yet people keep telling me how cool and special my disability is. I have been told multiple times that it is 'such an amazing superpower', and that I should stop focusing on the bad parts of it, when really, there are no good parts!!! There is nothing fun or cool or special about crying in agony during my graduation ceremony because there were too many people clapping. There is not one advantage to this. It's just painful.
I hate the idea of people trying to see the positive in someone else's disability, which they have no way of relating to or understanding.
And also, if you forget that a character is disabled, that is not good representation of disability! Sevika is great representation of amputees, not because she 'overcomes her weakness' through cool gimmicky prosthetics, but because we see her remove them! We see her struggle, WHILE she is also being badass. Her disability is not hidden, it's nothing to be ashamed of. Hell, she even has subtle balance issues due to it! That is so cool!
Obviously I don't think that disabled people should only be shown as suffering. That is a harmful kind of representation in itself which absolutely NEEDS to be addressed more! There is a thin line here which should be tread very carefully. It's about balance.
I don't like this video. Some of the characters you spoke of are really great representation, but it is very obvious that you wanted to get a certain point across, which is how you missed several things that make these characters actually great representation.
Also, I don't get why the Haikyuu kid was in this list? I mean, yeah, the themes you mentioned are definitely there, but just being short doesn't make someone disabled??? Unless you're a little person, which this guy is not.
Anyway, in conclusion, practically erasing a disability through some kind of superpower is not a sign of good story telling. We're not superheroes, or, if abled people can see no advantage to us, subhuman. We are just people. If you want to write an accurate disabled character, either draw from your own experiences, or ask people who have the disability themselves! Research harmful clichees so you can avoid them!
I don’t know Isha was mute or deaf? Until they making sign with their hand.
What I thought was that Isha was too young and abandoned when young so she didn’t learn how to speak.
It was great non the less
Some people who are nerve deaf say she shows signs of nerve deafness. I could’t explain it well here but there’s videos on youtube that talk about it in good detail. It’s in certain things she does
Another anime character who is probably not so well known and understandably as his disability doesn’t play a huge role in his career but it is why he ended up in said career. The man’s name is Yakumo and he is a Rakugo performer, a master. Having been a very withdrawn and sullen young man unhappy about his disability he grows up into a classy, refined and very well known and skilled performer of the arts.
Appreciate the notion, but until you’ve felt and overcame the insane never ending purgatory of phantom limb pain after becoming an amputee…you’re just blowing smoke. Of course disabilities don’t mean just lay down and quit, but it’s a plight you would never be able to understand until you’re in it. Good shxt though 👍🏾
3 of my fav shows in one video?! Sign me up. Honestly, all three of these are amazing and represent disability so well.
A lot of this sounds like ‘your disability is a special part of you’. ‘I want to see characters with a disability, just not when the disability actually disables them and stops them from doing things.’
As someone with a condition that can be disabling, why are things that disable us seen as a ‘unique feature’ not something debilitating! I understand trying to frame things positively but like…in my opinion not acknowledging all the pain and suffering is just a bad framing.
yes!!! i agree. im autistic and i love myself, especially lots of my autistic traits, but i still struggle because im autistic! if i were to see an autistic character who was all about “owning” their disability but the shutdowns, social struggles, sensory issues etc. were shown briefly or even not at all it would not be “good representation.” being disabled isnt all glamorous but its also not all doom and gloom. nuance, please 😭😭😭 /lh
Isha is our little sister... we need to do better yall... im so sorry isha!
It's easy to fall on the trap of thinking seismic sense is cool and then making your character in turn have some ability that negates their disability, which is not a good thing, seismic sense works because toph is still blind despite having it, she can't feel things coming from above, she obviously can't read and seismic sense gets completely stunted in the air or sand, and that's made ABUNDANTLY clear in the show, so don't write disabled characters just to make them have a thing that essentially makes them not disabled anymore
Sevika falls into this too btw, her first arm drugged her to hell and back and her second was unreliable for being a slot machine that sometimes does absolutely nothing, also she loses both of the prosthetic arms, and i believe that's intentional, they show her struggling when she does lose it but she's not even a little less badass because of it
Anyway, that's my 2 cents on the matter
another show who writes disability really well is the dragon prince! I think the shows writing is good in general but they have a main(ish) character who's deaf and as a general, you should definitely check it out :D
Isha actually said one word In Arcane, she yelled mama to Jinx.
(I'm not criying someone is just choping onions :( )
Why did you have to bring Isha into this, now I'm crying😭 I love her so much❤️
isha said 2 things in arcane she yelled mama when she was getting carried away and the poosh or what ever gun sound she makes
This video truly highlights how limitless the human spirit is. To me, it breaks my heart to see those who have a disability of any kind because since we live in such a cruel world, they’re easily pushed away by most people when they believe that they’re useless. Therefore, every time that I see those individuals become more than what they are and what everyone say about them, I beam with pride. TBH, I never knew that Isha was a disabled person because I assumed that she chose not to speak anymore for whatever the reason may be since we literally knew nothing about her throughout Season 2. However, it didn’t stop her for being bold when facing those who are twice her size or when the situation requires an extra hand. Thus, although I believe that God will soon eradicate such imperfections since he never wanted mankind to live like this, you can be damn sure that He too is proud to see them excel in their own respective fields and win the hearts and minds of many who saw them for who they are on the inside rather than the outside. Thank you for your summary, Aniholic.
I didn't like the points you made in this video. I have been disabled since birth and while I love all of these characters, the advice of a character should be more than just disabled falls short for me.
This whole video feels like it minimises the pain and suffering that is disability, especially since you grouped in Hinata.
I think its also important to highlight that when making a disabled character, you shouldn't make the disability everything there is about character, else they are just a token forced in for brownie points.
Let it flow into story the while the character showcase that not everything about them is the disability the have or they overcome it.
well depend, we all have weaknesses and dissability can be one depending of the dissability and the challenge, like... try escaping warwick while being paralized... that would be a fucking big weakness, me for exemple i can't smell, dosen't bother me that much in life, even allowing me to eat the smellyest food ever, but if i forgot to turn off the gas and there is a leak i won't smell it... it's a weakness.
i didnt even know she was a mute... thought she was just shy lol
Several Deaf and HoH people have said Isha is deaf, at least to some extent, and that she reacts to the world in a similar way as they do.
For example, you might notice that she watches people's mouths when they speak, and completely "ignores" any speech that is outside her line of sight.
this is a very superficial analysis...
Dis-ability is literally "less able"/"un able"/"not able".
That said, overcoming physical/mental/emotional shortcomings (disability) makes it clear that that person have character/strength that makes them more badass then any normal "able" person.
Sevika was badass before the injury, and she kept going, proving she is badass (maybe she didn't even know herself how well she would be able to overcome the loss of her hand)
but she could also just stay at home and cry for the loss of her arm... and that ability to overcome is individual, highlighted by the disability, but the disability doesn't make EVERYONE stronger and as abled as normal people (which is implied by the video).
Disability is a "make or brake" life changing event (in case of injury), or a hard life long battle that often build character and skills to make it in life.
Just like any kind of physical training, the harder it is to do it, the stronger you get... and when disabled IT IS harder, so if you are out there living your life you are just as abled as any normal person.
This can also be said for living in poverty, the rich will never know your struggle, and if you grow up to make a living and be able to care foryourself you are more capable then any rich kid that had it easy.
Disability isn't a super power, it just force you to be the best you can be.
growth is the keyword, though this is also the case when disability is not the topic.
the character gets/is born with a disability, so they must learn to deal with it well or use it to their advantage. just dont do it overly stupid
toph cant see, but this elevates her sense of touch (or she learns to improve it). earthbending is about manipulating the ground, and since she can sense the ground much better, its easier for her to master the skill.
viktor from arcane has a problem with his leg/hip or smth, making it harder for him to fit in with the others, so he focuses on intelligence, and is part of hextech's development.
josh from watch dogs 2 is autistic with aspergers, but its not something you really notice (at least i didnt. gets mentioned, and confirmed in a dlc). he has a better memory for some things, and prepares for things in case it proves useful
I have a mute child in one of my own stories. She not only ends up being the one to finally defeat the antagonist, but she’s also the bridge between my protagonist and his love interest (an enemies to lovers situation).
An amazing part about Isha is when jinx was fighting vander in the prison and vi rushed isha out, isha did let out sounds some people hear it as mama or it just being sounds but either way it showed her emotions there where she physically made herself heard it only for a second. BECAUSE SHE LOVES JINX
As a mentally disabled person (autism, gad, ocd, tourrettes), I love looking for good disability reprisentation!
5:01 never know just who you are a hero too until it’s already happened.
i'm surprised you didn't mention viktor from arcane?
Probably because his story is about him "surpassing" his disability instead of finding a way to be great despite of it. He sees himself as broken and more flawed because of it until his last confrontation in the series.
@@Pedro-m7f3f as an autistic person, hes very relatable...
I think it's cuz, unlike Isha, Toph, and Sevika, who weren't defined by their disabilities and rarely ever spared a thought towards them, Victor hated his disability, and himself to a degree, and ultimately began to succumb to the despair he felt towards his disability.
because it doesnt contribute to the videos point of views... this video is bad ngl, saying this as a disabled person btw.
@@RDrawzDragonzyeah 😭😭😭 they clearly didnt want to talk about the nuances of this topic and have a very narrow opinion. /nm
For me the best representation disability is Detta Walker (Susannah) from the Dark Tower of Stephen King, there only one word that describe her, a menace.Those who read the book know.
Witch Hat Atelier is also a really good manga with disability rep, and it's getting an anime in 2025
Eda from the Owl House is also a great example. She’s an amazing and interesting character, as well as powerful. She’s not perfect, and struggles with accepting it at first, but that’s what makes her so interesting to me.
A novel that has a great disabled character is North of Nowhere by Allison Brennan.
Specifically a deaf character.
Main chaarcter in Seriko is living proof t hat even if you losing an arm you still a menace.
Doesn't Isha call out "mama" when she is being dragged away from Jinx in the prison scene? I thought Isha was just deaf
I just checked and it's a nonverbal shout, which fits the theory that she's deaf
she could still be selectively nonverbal! /nm
My mommy is disabled mentally and physically . But she is awesome and so is my daddy
in Dragon Prince, on of the main characters, Amaya is deaf and can't speak. She communicated through sign language but she's still by are one the most experienced and strong characters in the whole show. She the General of an army and she leads it with utmost bravery!!!
Another character I really like was Cyrus borg from ninjago, I know he's not the best example because he's not like a big character but look how he succeeded in building a whole industry of new technology, I dunno I thought that was rlly cool
toph and ''silverware princess'' are my favorite disabled characters, you cant even call them that at their skill level though
I would say yes and no as some disabilities are not weaknesses but I would say a lot of them have very unique challenges to over come that is best way I can put it as I'm apart of the disability commuity
Isha not speaking gave me flashbacks to DOTA... Probably one of the most fun characters (and physically strong) and so dang impactful without ever saying a word. Seriously, though... that's also a really good show... I wish it got a bit of limelight because it really does play with the sense of self and importance in such an interesting way.
I think we should talk about aunt Amaya from the dragon prince too
Snowdrop (from the MLP fan animation) is also a good example.
Actually in episode six she speaks at her death she says “pew”
Haikyuu being perfect as always. Showing us about classism, disabilities and being a good person
uhh *nitpicking* but during the prison scene where warwick comes and fights jinx when isha is being dragged away you can hear her screem "MAMA"
anyway outside that nitpick the video is great and shows HOW to wirte disabilty with great examples such as isha and also toph
Pretty sure that didnt happen. Rewatch maybe?
@zapp770 it did
@zapp770 i can tell you the exact second
You have a clip?
I think that was just a scream though…
don't forget amaya from the dragon prince, although the show seems to flip on whether she is deaf or mute.
She’s deaf, in season 5 she speaks.
@@Donnie_is_cool true, but there are lots of times where the characters talk to amaya as if she can hear them. lip reading seems like a stretch.
@@wak773 hmmm good point
disability / disorder does not always = a limiter.
Wasn’t just isha. Steb the eel vistia enforcer. He’s mute to
I also think Jericho can’t talk as well. In his case though I think it’s because of the type of vestia he is. As his sub sect is from the deepest parts of the bottom of the ocean. So he probably can talk just not on land
Arcane had ALOT of mute characters
Gyomei is also a disabled character because he’s blind but he’s a great character (idk how to explain him)
"Sevika is potentially the most badass female character in all of Arcane". I agree, but this can be said with all the main female characters of Arcane! They are all so good! In different ways but all of them excel at badassery and coolness.
Disability is a weakness, it’s just not any different than any other weakness like being rash, or missing some skill or background. Writing it otherwise is caused by people who are both bad writers, and have probably never met a disabled person. A person is filled with hopes, dreams, wishes, skills, weaknesses, and so much more. The classic example of poor character writing is to make a 1 note character who only is one aspect of what makes a person, complex. In this case disability is the same as any other trait, when used to define the entirety of a character you get a bad one note character who of course will be either pathetic, or unrealistically strong. No strong disabled character is strong because of their disability, they are strong because they overcame it.
Im disabled but its never been a weakness it’s helped me become who I am. Not all disabled people have weaknesses just like how non disabled people do have weaknesses
@@PrinceOfTheSounda disability is a weakness though that’s why it’s called that but that doesn’t mean people have to be defined by that weakness or don’t have the ability to overcome their disability.
Guts.
Anyone?
shnee talks about this, and suspects that Isha is deaf as well as mute.
i feel loike disabilities aof lost limbs and robot arms are more acesories and visual storytelling then a character trait. arcane dose it cool though that you see them before the acident. i liked that alot in shadow of mordor and shadow of war too. orcs comin back with limb replacements.
Tem a Amaya de o príncipe dragão - mistério de Aaravos,que é uma personagem surda e eu diria que é a personagem com deficiência que essa característica foi mais naturalizada que eu já vi
I'm 2 minutes in and as a disabled person, I disagree entirely. You said: "You write the disability as a trait to the character but not every single thing about them. You write and develop your characters as if they were any other and along the way, this trait as many would see as a weakness or something that needs repairing, won't even come into question anymore. And eventually, like I said, may even be forgotten about altogether." WHAT THE ABSOLUTE FK?! There are so many things wrong with this sentence.
1) Disability is not a trait, IT'S AN IDENTITY. (talking about demeaning) And a lot of us are damn proud of it!
2) Disabled characters ARE like anyone else! That's the problem with this sentence is you put your assumption that disabled people are something 'special' (god we hate that word). We are just people, so write us like disabled people. Why are you putting us in a separate group (segregation)?
3) SOCIETY labels disabled as a weakness/fix us and ignorant people adopt this as truth therefore we come 'in question.' Just the way this is said, GAH! What you should question is WHY SOCIETY DOES THIS IN THE FIRST PLACE AND FIGHT BACK AGAINST IT!
4) WE DON'T WANT TO BE FORGOTTEN, ERASED AND CHANGED! OUR DISABILTY IS OUR IDENTITY! TO 'FORGET' IT IS TO ERASE US AS WE ARE! Because when you do this, you NOW see us through the censored lens of an able-bodied person and that is NOT our lives!
I can't even bring myself to watch the rest!
I thought she was just mute. I guess i just wasn't paying attention
As did=sabled person i said IT IS...
"Disability isn't a weakness" Honestly, I disagree. Disabled people are usually weaker than the non-disabled so it is a weakness. But the persons worth isn't defined on how mentally or physically strong they are, if it was like that only top athlets would be worth something
Or maybe you meant weakness like a flaw so than I agree
I don't think having a disability means you are incompetent or worth less as a person, but I absolutely think it's a weakness!
I know that disabled people are not a monolyth.
But the disabled creators I have seen talk about Arcane so far where pretty unhappy about the representation in it.
And I find their reasoning very convincing.
For Savika i agree that the show does not center her character on her disability. She is not defined by it. However i am not convinced this is a good depiction of disability because she is defeated and held back from her potential in fightings when characters attack her prosthetic.
It is about framing i just don’t think the framing is a positive as i would like.
i think when it comes to a character with a prosthetic fighting the depiction of yang from rwby mightve done a better job at it? theres also a scene of her confronting her mom while not having her prosthetic that framed her as very powerful which i really like
this one ua-cam.com/video/8awe8WlJQ5M/v-deo.htmlsi=1PAIWPZFUDoecxUQ
Why do you insult them by calling them normal?
the irony of media treating minorities like toph's parents should not lost on you
👎🏻
Hi!
You talked about Haikyuu!! and I think your point is fair even if it's more about disadvantage than disability, however adding Nishinoya in your analysis would have been relevant to go a bit deeper, for he actually is the smallest member of the team and there are 2 points that are worth talking about.
First one, he's a libero, hence the only "small-friendly" role of the team, and he is a brilliant one, even nicknamed "a god" by many players, making him the one who "embrace his sort-of disability". Second one... he doesn't fit the role in a socially acceptable way. At some point in season 2, Kageyama is chosen to train in a national camp. Hinata is not chosen because he's too small. But a few characters actually ask why Nishinoya, who is as brilliant as Kageyama, isn't chosen either, despite his size not being a subject as a libero, and the answer is that his personnality is not the one "prefered" in a libero, for he's overly energetic and loud, when a libero "should" be calm and focused. Even if we see Nishinoya litteraly being brilliant, he's dismissed for being, well, himself. And that tackles the topic of being a "good" disabled/disavantaged person, by fitting the one and only role society gives you in the one and only way society finds acceptable. The double-standard is clearly stated in the serie.
Both Hinata and Nishinoya fight the norm in their own ways, and both at some point hit hard the glass ceiling.
About ATLA, it's worth mention a large part of Toph's character arc is about learning to be helped, which is more or less the opposite of what we would expect from a disabled character. Because, yes. Disability is STILL a weakness. Put her feet out of the ground and she is as helpless as, well, a 12 y-o blind girl, and a lot of her attitude in the early season 2 (and the main reason she fights with Katara, who is parentified af) comes from her fear to be seen (haha) as this helpless little girl she... actually is each time they ride Appa. She has to learn that, even if her disability doesn"t define her, having an actual weakness is normal and backing from it or trying to pretend it's not here because you're scared of it will never be the right move. Because it's not wrong to have weaknesses, it's only human.