Disability Discrimination: Job Interview
This video was posted in 2000 and viewed on the social media site called Youtube 136,030 times as of April 11th, 2013 (Piflover). This video features a young woman who has Down syndrome. The purpose of this video is to show the discrimination individuals with Down syndrome face during job interviews. This young woman is meeting with two employees of the company that are concerned that the man in charge may not hire her, because she has Down syndrome. The woman initiates the discrimination when she turns toward the young man in a manner that says agree with me so we do not get accused of discrimination. The young woman mentions that meeting with the general manager is “usually” a formality (Piflover). The male figure states, “We have to make sure that there are not any issues with hiring someone like yourself” (Piflover). When the general manager comes in the other two employees immediately silence themselves. The general manager has no problem with the young womans Down syndrome. It is the employees who are discriminating against her. Down syndrome is a disability, but it does not keep these individuals from pursuing a career.
The video statistics were 243 likes and 13 dislikes (Piflover). There were many comments that were negative and discriminating against individuals with Down syndrome. David Gao said, “Retards are mistakes, kill them with fire before they get a chance to grow up. They’re destroying and polluting society with their plague” (qtd. in Piflover). Another member named Terrorsquadlith stated, “Come on, she’s retarded! They only gave her two words in the whole ad” (qtd. in Piflover). These are just some of the one hundred and sixteen comments left in the comment section of this video (Piflover). The comments that showed support for the individual are most likely from people who had some sort of disability, a relative with a disability, or enough knowledge of Down syndrome to understand her ability not her disability. The posting of this video shows how social media can be used to discriminate against people with Down syndrome. The majority of negative comments were from males. Those who are expressing a form of discrimination through their opinions posted on social media are uneducated on what Down syndrome really is. They have no tolerance or understanding of people who are “different” in their eyes. They do not care how individuals with Down syndrome feel. At the end of the video viewers hear the words “see the person, not the disability” (qtd. in Piflover). Those who discriminate do not see the person. They look straight to the disability and stereotype these individuals as different. If the people who choose to discriminate would take the time to get to know the person with Down syndrome they may change their ways, and choose not to discriminate against them.
The video statistics were 243 likes and 13 dislikes (Piflover). There were many comments that were negative and discriminating against individuals with Down syndrome. David Gao said, “Retards are mistakes, kill them with fire before they get a chance to grow up. They’re destroying and polluting society with their plague” (qtd. in Piflover). Another member named Terrorsquadlith stated, “Come on, she’s retarded! They only gave her two words in the whole ad” (qtd. in Piflover). These are just some of the one hundred and sixteen comments left in the comment section of this video (Piflover). The comments that showed support for the individual are most likely from people who had some sort of disability, a relative with a disability, or enough knowledge of Down syndrome to understand her ability not her disability. The posting of this video shows how social media can be used to discriminate against people with Down syndrome. The majority of negative comments were from males. Those who are expressing a form of discrimination through their opinions posted on social media are uneducated on what Down syndrome really is. They have no tolerance or understanding of people who are “different” in their eyes. They do not care how individuals with Down syndrome feel. At the end of the video viewers hear the words “see the person, not the disability” (qtd. in Piflover). Those who discriminate do not see the person. They look straight to the disability and stereotype these individuals as different. If the people who choose to discriminate would take the time to get to know the person with Down syndrome they may change their ways, and choose not to discriminate against them.
Down syndrome Boy banned from Flight
This video was taken by the mother of a boy named Bede Vanderhorst and was posted on the social media site Youtube (Turismoadaptado). Bede was discriminated against not once, but twice when the pilot of an American Airlines flight would not let him board a plane, and then put him on another flight seated in the back of the plane away from everyone else. According to the pilot Bede was a “security risk” and the parents felt like they had been targeted, because the boy had Down syndrome (qtd. in Turismoadaptado). This video was viewed 414 times and had 2 likes and no dislikes (Turismoadaptado). Were the two likes because the mother posted the video, or because two people liked what the airline did?
The Vanderhorsts had never had a problem with traveling with Bede before until they changed their plane tickets to first class. American Airlines claimed that the boy was up and running around, but it is clearly seen in the video he is sitting quietly playing with his hat. He did not appear to be a security risk, therefore it is clearly seen that this family was being discriminated against, because of the child’s condition. It will be interesting to see what
comments are posted about this video.
This video reminds us to look at another aspect of discrimination regarding a reference to the transportation system. Most people believe that individuals with Down syndrome should ride the short bus. The short bus has been associated with mental retardation. Many photos are circulated daily through social media showing a bus that is smaller than most with a caption on the bottom of it pertaining to Down syndrome.
The Vanderhorsts had never had a problem with traveling with Bede before until they changed their plane tickets to first class. American Airlines claimed that the boy was up and running around, but it is clearly seen in the video he is sitting quietly playing with his hat. He did not appear to be a security risk, therefore it is clearly seen that this family was being discriminated against, because of the child’s condition. It will be interesting to see what
comments are posted about this video.
This video reminds us to look at another aspect of discrimination regarding a reference to the transportation system. Most people believe that individuals with Down syndrome should ride the short bus. The short bus has been associated with mental retardation. Many photos are circulated daily through social media showing a bus that is smaller than most with a caption on the bottom of it pertaining to Down syndrome.
Adam's story
This video was posted by the mother of a little boy named Adam (Morgan). The video uses flash cards to portray the discrimination that this little boy of four has faced since being developed in the womb. One of the flashcards Adam holds up provides information pertaining to his mothers doctor, stating that Adam would be born with Down syndrome and would be a burden (Morgan). The doctor also stated that Adam would be "retarded" for his entire life (qtd. in Morgan). This doctor tried to talk his patient into having an abortion and ending young Adam's life.
The reason the mother made this video is because so many individuals are misinformed about Down syndrome (Morgan). She hoped this video would be circulated through social media to inform society of the situation at hand. She made the choice to bring this child to full term and raise him through the struggles he would face. As written on one of the flashcards Adam’s mother cries herself to sleep worrying that he will be discriminated against in school. On another flashcard Adam holds up it describes how a modeling agency wanted to book the young man until they discovered he had Down syndrome.
The fact that so many individuals in society are misinformed about Down syndrome is shocking. They see the comical photos, videos, and articles, but they do not go search the web to become educated about Down syndrome. They search the web to contribute to the discrimination against the individual with Down syndrome.
The reason the mother made this video is because so many individuals are misinformed about Down syndrome (Morgan). She hoped this video would be circulated through social media to inform society of the situation at hand. She made the choice to bring this child to full term and raise him through the struggles he would face. As written on one of the flashcards Adam’s mother cries herself to sleep worrying that he will be discriminated against in school. On another flashcard Adam holds up it describes how a modeling agency wanted to book the young man until they discovered he had Down syndrome.
The fact that so many individuals in society are misinformed about Down syndrome is shocking. They see the comical photos, videos, and articles, but they do not go search the web to become educated about Down syndrome. They search the web to contribute to the discrimination against the individual with Down syndrome.
wE'RE mORE aLIKE tHAN dIFFERENT
This video was composed by multiple individuals with Down syndrome and portrays their true struggles of discrimination in everyday life. This video starts out with these individuals explaining how they are teased, made fun of, and called "retarded" (qtd. in DownsyndromeIndiana). They explain the only reason people in society discriminate against them is only because they "do not know me that well" (qtd. in DownsyndromeIndiana). These individuals talk about their everyday life and how they participate in cooking, cleaning, and working just like every other person in society. Some of these individuals work in movie theaters, teaching sign language, and one woman even works five regular jobs. They all talk about how they graduated high school and some even attended college and made dean’s list. What do all of these individuals with Down syndrome have in common? They all want to be treated equally and with respect. What is the problem with that? People choose to discriminate against these people and label them as different.
This video was posted on Youtube on November 10th, 2010 and since then has received over 75,000 views (DownsyndromeIndiana). The statistics for this website were 408 likes and 23 dislikes. Out of the 448 comments about this video the majority of them were negative (DownsyndromeIndiana). Discrimination can be compared to harassment as “repeated unwelcome comments or behavior” (qtd in Flowers, Gombar 17). One man David Ziebe Hart stated, “Holy **** this is why we need abortion legalized. Why does society even allow hideous, grotesque, mongoloid retards eating garbage and running around in the street kill it with a ****ing shovel if you have to. Literally nobody wants them here. They’re wasting my tax dollars” (qtd. in DownsyndromeIndiana). This man chose to show his discrimination through harsh language and calling individuals with Down syndrome retards, but the majority of the individuals in this video have achieved a diploma. Another man named Matt A stated, “These ****ing people need to stay out of sight of normal people. Useless people that can’t do *** for society. What a drain on the tax payers” (qtd. in DownsyndromeIndiana). How are his tax dollars being affected when all of these individuals hold a regular job? People with Down syndrome have the same rights as any other person in the world to go out in public regardless of what they look like. They have the right to hold jobs, have homes, some even marry and have families. While you can find many positive comments for such videos, the cruel words of others spread like a disease.
The worst comment found posted under this video would have to be the one posted by Tony Baddaclooch who said, “Retarded people are gross and I hate the fact that I am forced to look at them in my daily life. If you are retarded please stay inside your home or if you really must venture outside please dress accordingly. Also why are you getting mad when people call you retarded if you truly are mentally retarded? You are what you are, you can’t change that.
Anyway just stay away from me and my family. Thanks” (qtd. in DownsyndromeIndiana). This man contradicts himself by saying, “You are what you are, you can’t change that” (qtd. in DownsyndromeIndiana). This strikes a very important point. Individuals with Down syndrome are born with their disability meaning they cannot change what happened. They are exactly who they have always been. It is people like Tony who choose to discriminate against individuals with Down syndrome. They do not consider that people with Down syndrome cannot change and do not allow them to enjoy being who they are. Social media allows people the right to their freedom of speech, but it also opens a whole new chance of opportunity to discriminate and ridicule people they do not even know. It provides an outlet for igonorance without ramification for their actions
This video was posted on Youtube on November 10th, 2010 and since then has received over 75,000 views (DownsyndromeIndiana). The statistics for this website were 408 likes and 23 dislikes. Out of the 448 comments about this video the majority of them were negative (DownsyndromeIndiana). Discrimination can be compared to harassment as “repeated unwelcome comments or behavior” (qtd in Flowers, Gombar 17). One man David Ziebe Hart stated, “Holy **** this is why we need abortion legalized. Why does society even allow hideous, grotesque, mongoloid retards eating garbage and running around in the street kill it with a ****ing shovel if you have to. Literally nobody wants them here. They’re wasting my tax dollars” (qtd. in DownsyndromeIndiana). This man chose to show his discrimination through harsh language and calling individuals with Down syndrome retards, but the majority of the individuals in this video have achieved a diploma. Another man named Matt A stated, “These ****ing people need to stay out of sight of normal people. Useless people that can’t do *** for society. What a drain on the tax payers” (qtd. in DownsyndromeIndiana). How are his tax dollars being affected when all of these individuals hold a regular job? People with Down syndrome have the same rights as any other person in the world to go out in public regardless of what they look like. They have the right to hold jobs, have homes, some even marry and have families. While you can find many positive comments for such videos, the cruel words of others spread like a disease.
The worst comment found posted under this video would have to be the one posted by Tony Baddaclooch who said, “Retarded people are gross and I hate the fact that I am forced to look at them in my daily life. If you are retarded please stay inside your home or if you really must venture outside please dress accordingly. Also why are you getting mad when people call you retarded if you truly are mentally retarded? You are what you are, you can’t change that.
Anyway just stay away from me and my family. Thanks” (qtd. in DownsyndromeIndiana). This man contradicts himself by saying, “You are what you are, you can’t change that” (qtd. in DownsyndromeIndiana). This strikes a very important point. Individuals with Down syndrome are born with their disability meaning they cannot change what happened. They are exactly who they have always been. It is people like Tony who choose to discriminate against individuals with Down syndrome. They do not consider that people with Down syndrome cannot change and do not allow them to enjoy being who they are. Social media allows people the right to their freedom of speech, but it also opens a whole new chance of opportunity to discriminate and ridicule people they do not even know. It provides an outlet for igonorance without ramification for their actions
Message from down synrome workers
The newscast produced by American Broadcasting Company or ABC posted this video to Youtube on May 16th, 2012 (Unite4friendship). They hired three actors, two individuals without Down syndrome and one with Down syndrome. The one with Down syndrome has had acting roles in Hollywood movies and Sesame Street (United4friendship). The role of the actors without Down syndrome was to go through a convenient store line and discriminate against the bag boy who had Down syndrome. The purpose of this newscast was to display the reactions of people witnessing this discrimination.
The majority of individuals who reacted and spoke up were women in their thirties or forties (Unite4friendship). More females reacted to the male actors discrimination rather than the female actress (Unite4friendship). The reason most people did not speak up against the female actress is because they wanted to avoid confrontation. Those who did speak did so more to the male actor. The responses these individuals gave pertained to Josh having rights and he is a person too (Unite4friendship). Most discrimination through social media is from the male population. Males who do speak up for individuals with Down syndrome tend to have a relative or know someone with the disability.
The majority of individuals who reacted and spoke up were women in their thirties or forties (Unite4friendship). More females reacted to the male actors discrimination rather than the female actress (Unite4friendship). The reason most people did not speak up against the female actress is because they wanted to avoid confrontation. Those who did speak did so more to the male actor. The responses these individuals gave pertained to Josh having rights and he is a person too (Unite4friendship). Most discrimination through social media is from the male population. Males who do speak up for individuals with Down syndrome tend to have a relative or know someone with the disability.