According to StopAbleism.com, ableism is "a set of practices and beliefs that assign inferior value (worth) to people who have developmental, emotional, physical or psychiatric disabilities."
And since July is Disability Pride Month, we wanted to point out instances where celebrities — whom many people look up to — say or do things that are blatantly ableist. Here are some instances we all can learn from:
1. When Gal Gadot tweeted this tribute to Stephen Hawking after he died, which said he's now "free of any physical constraints":
Rest in peace Dr. Hawking. Now you're free of any physical constraints.. Your brilliance and wisdom will be cherished forever ✨
2. When Kathie Lee Gifford did this really weird interview, where she was super condescending to this autistic young man, who befriended a jock in school. She then presented him a song she wrote about him, called "All Alone." He had to watch the performance:
3. When Sia made the movie Music, which poorly depicted autistic people. She also cast Maddie Ziegler, who is able-bodied, to play the role of someone with autism.
I've said a lot about how awful this movie is and how disgusting sia is for making it but this really sucks shit. I've always been self conscious of the way I move my hands to music when I'm stimming or trying to stay calm and this makes me feel like a freak. https://t.co/htYWkqSyej
She later apologized.
4. When Jeopardy! champion/host Ken Jennings tweeted this:
5. When the Girl Meets World cast did these scenes about Asperger Syndrome, which demonized it:
tw ableism like???????? did no one tell them this is so fucking harmful to autistic people
6. When James Charles said this about people who walk slowly:
slow walkers are the worst people on the planet
Due to conditions like spina bifida and more, some people cannot walk "fast."
7. When Kylie Jenner posed in a wheelchair for Interview Magazine, saying it was a representation for how she feels about fame:
Kylie Jenner faces backlash for posing in a wheelchair for @InterviewMag: https://t.co/pTMlyBbaoo
8. When Kim Kardashian used the R-word on her Instagram story:
@KimKardashian Here’s a video of Kim Kardashian calling people the R word because they don’t who she is for Halloween. She also uses the word “anorexic” as a compliment. This is not Okay. If you get bullied over mental health or your weight, call 24-hour help hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
9. When Wendy Williams mocked Joaquin Phoenix's cleft palate scar:
10. When actor George Takei posted this grossly offensive meme:
11. When Shane Dawson said this:
ableism! so funny haha!
12. When Real Housewives of New York star Ramona Singer outed fellow housewife Leah McSweeney, who has bipolar disorder.
