Born This Way
Lady Gaga, Popular Media, and Pushing Back the Tide
I have been thinking a lot lately about what the general consensus is within community about the quality of life experienced by persons with disabilities. The messages abound-and most of them are dark, cloaked in a notion of pain and misery, and at their worst I am sensing a greater and greater belief in the futility of such lives.
One only needs to examine the continued existence of institutions, sheltered workshops, and the medical and pandemic planning models which blatantly (and in provincial policy) excludes treatment for Canadians with disabilities, to understand how deeply these messages resonate.
There are, however, small beacons of hope rising in the public consciousness. Surprisingly, I have been made aware of one such source of light, by some of the most pop culture savvy folks in my life. Watching the Grammy’s the other night with my children on TV and then following all the media hype about Lady Gaga’s new album I was compelled to examine the lyrics to her newest single “Born This Way”
“You’re black, white, beige, Chola descent You’re Lebanese, you’re orient Whether life’s disabilities Left you outcast, bullied or teased Rejoice and love yourself today ’Cause baby, you were born this way”
Now, there have been countless pop mega hits which hail the virtues of self-confidence, self-acceptance, and diversity, but none that I can recall which intentionally single out the experience of having a disability and “raising your paws” in pride about your identity.
Lady Gaga is a popular media phenomenon. She and her effect on culture have been compared to the likes of Michael Jackson, U2 and Madonna. (Not that I am willing to open the can of worms that comparing her to Madonna can do!). Love her or hate her-she is effecting how we think about one another. Her position on GLBT rights and inclusion has been staunchly positive and celebratory. And it’s not as though we haven’t seen countless “artists” use the R-word in their nonsensical lyrics lately.
I am welcoming this kind of positive messaging and imagery. Every little bit helps.
If you are interested in the history of how disability has been portrayed in TV and film you might want to check out this link.
Meanwhile, I’ll be singing along with “The Lady” with my children in the car!
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