Working With What You're Given

This last Monday we talked about freak shows in Disability Studies class.  In the 1920s people who were considered abnormal were showcased for entertainment value.  There was Robert Wadlow, known as the tallest man on earth at 8 feet 11 inches; Chang and Eng Bunker who were male conjoined twins, and Daisy and Violet Hilton, the most famous female conjoined twins.  These people, because society would not accept them into the regular workforce and lifestyles, had no choice but to showcase themselves as freaks to make money.  These people had regular dreams just like you and me, to go to school, to get a job, to get married, and to raise a family.  Unfortunately for some, the world was not accommodating.  When Robert was going to school, the school system refused to make bigger desks; Daisy and Violet were refused marriage licenses, and Eng and Chang were really the only ones who ended up happy in spite of the freak show lifestyle.  They became farmers, and raised 21 children between them.

You would think that freak shows are a thing of the past, but we also learned about a modern day freak show called 999 Eyes.  At first, I wondered why these people would subject themselves to such a horrible concept of the past, but then I realized that they are only working with what they were given.  They come forward and not only showcase their talents (which include singing, dancing, juggling and much more) in spite of having things like dwarfism, amputations, and body deformations.  The only thing they are trying to accomplish, is to pray and to the forefront the disabilities and illnesses that classify them as "freaks".  In their efforts, they educate the audience, and slowly silence the many whispers and stares that come along with the abnormal and unknown.  They take the ammunition that could very well be used against them, and in turn show the world that they are comfortable with themselves and to educate and thwart ignorance.  I ended up relating to them really well, because I hope to thwart ignorance with my writing and the stories I tell. I also found that I have I a knack for comedy, and I can’t wait to add that to my current pile of ammo! Questions always trump ignorance!

 

Karli