I think the idea of normalcy as a cultural objective is absurd. Clearly, not everyone is the same. Moreover, it is impossible to know what every single person in a society is like—mentally, physically and, emotionally. Thus, we must beg the question of who creates these notions of normalcy. One could argue that the media is responsible for this idea. But at least in modern day, the range of people being showed on the television is more diverse than our definition of the societal norm. Consider the television shows like “Will and Grace” which boast of a homosexual and heterosexual list of characters. Consider still movies that try to bring the issues of mentally or physically “disable” individuals to light, such as the film “I am Sam.” Yet, even with these (and many more) diverse ranges of people, society’s idea of normal is much more narrow. In my opinion, this idea is much more ingrained, as the article outlines: throughout history, people have held others to an ideal. This ideal has transformed throughout time to represent normalcy.
Unfortunately, the ideal in the past has been for a strong, physically able because people were widely responsible for growing their own food, building their own houses, and providing for themselves. Thus, a physically able body was the ideal. This transition from the past to present and from ideal to normal has created a society hostile towards a group of people who are no longer bound by the necessity to provide for themselves. Today, a physically or mentally “disabled” person can fully participate and function in society. Thus, to eradicate the stigma attached to these individuals, society must understand the vast capabilities—not the disabilities—of these individuals.
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I agree with you that the idea of "normal" is absurd and that society has too narrow a range of what is socially acceptable. However, I feel that popular culture only serves to exacerbate this narrow range by feeding into stereotypes. For instance I feel that the show Will and Grace only serves to build up stereotypes of homosexuals. I feel that this is a common problem with most popular media depictions of any marginalized group in society. The film I Am Sam I feel only supports the stereotype of the mentally handicapped being portrayed in the light of superheroes when the work around or overcome their “disabilities”. I also agree with you that this notion of an ideal has been supported throughout history and as a result has established itself in our culture’s psyche. I feel that our culture’s concept of the norm is so deeply engrained that media representations often unconsciously reinforce it and at the same time support stereotypes about every group that does not fit the norm. I feel that the only way to break away from the idea of the norm and the use of stereotypes is to advocate for greater social awareness. As a culture we need to be able to recognize when these stereotypes and ideas of the norm are being utilized so that we are able to reject these ideas.
I love that you mentioned “I am Sam” in your response to last Tuesday’s articles. This movie, which never fails to make me tear up, also came to my mind during the readings. I thought of it first during Wendell’s piece on the role of society in constructing disability. Though Wendell focused largely on the hardships faced by physically disabled people, her argument can be applied just as well to the mentally disabled. She explains that that many people with physical restrictions are hindered by our society’s pace and expectations; through our society’s lack of understanding and accommodation, they become significantly more disabled than necessary. Instead of providing social and monetary support, and instead of encouraging them to work to their best potential, physically disabled peoples are consigned to the hidden domestic sphere. So too are the mentally disabled barred from participating in work and social environments that are very much within their capacities.
“I am Sam” is an excellent example of what mentally disabled citizens can accomplish if both pace and expectations are altered to match their abilities. As far as I can recall, Sam was well-adjusted to his work at Starbucks. Though his manager held Sam to standards of quality, Sam was expected to work to the best of his ability and speed, not those of his coworkers. The courts’ attempts to relegate Sam to a private, quiet, and submissive life were trumped by the pro bono lawyer’s acknowledgement of Sam’s emotional and social needs. He, too, needed to be loved and accepted just as any other member of society. And just as anyone else, Sam could contribute as a productive citizen. Most importantly, Sam was portrayed with the ability to love no less than the “abled.” Essentially, the movie fulfilled Wendell’s call in the article: to recognize the humanity of society’s disabled citizens.
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