People tell me that British comedian Russell Brand is known for making controversial comments. But I've never really thought much about him, or his stand up comedy routines, so last night was the first time I've had any reason to be interested in anything he has said.
Well, maybe 'interested' is the wrong word to use. I am offended by his comment, along with several well-known Paralympians- and several other disabled people.
'Novelty Value'
During a recent show, Russell Brand reportedly described the Olympics as "a waste of taxpayers' money."
As if that's not offensive and untrue enough, he then went on to say, "At least the Paralympics have some kind of novelty value or something."
Not A Freak Show
My first reaction when I read the comments was 'what an outdated opinion!' That is the kind of comment people could get away with making about freak shows.
Freak shows are defined as 'an exhibition of biological rarities, referred to as "freaks of nature'." They were popular in the US from the 19th century until the middle of the 20th century. Physically disabled people were commonly featured.
Thankfully, as attitudes towards physical difference are changing, freak shows have become less popular as a form of entertainment.
Anyway, the Paralympics are certainly not a freak show, and they should never, ever be compared to any such thing.
A Form of Rehabilitation
The first Paralympic Games were held in 1948 at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Aylesbury, England. Neurologist Sir Ludwig Guttman was treating World War 2 veterans with spinal injuries, and was using sport as part of their rehabilitation programmes. He set up a competition with other hospitals, to coincide with the 1948 London Olympics.
The idea took off, and the rest is history.
Different But Equal
Of course the Paralympics are different than the Olympics. They have to be so that competitors' needs can be met safely and so that no competitor has an unfair advantage. We have to face facts- disabled athletes cannot compete with able-bodied athletes.
Oscar Pistorius is the world famous exception to this rule. However, most disabled athletes should not be made to try to follow in the prints of his carbon blades. Of course, this does not take away any disabled person's right to participate in competitive sport. The Paralympics allow this to happen, in a safe environment where competitors are not treated like freaks, but quite the opposite.
Household Names
Oscar Pistorius is not the only disabled athlete who is a household name. Teenage swimming sensation Ellie Simmonds won the hearts of the world, along with her two gold medals, during the 2008 Games in Beijing. As for former wheelchair racer Tanni Grey Thompson, she's now a member of the UK House of Lords.
In response to Russell Brand's comment, Paralympic dressage star Natasha Baker took the thought out of my mind when she said, "We’ve worked harder than anyone to get here. We’ve suffered life-threatening illnesses. It’s both patronising and upsetting for Russell Brand to describe us as a novelty."
And this response to Brand's comments, written on Twitter, made me smile: "That's more value than his booky-wook ever had."
Sources (Online, all accessed 12/9/11):
- Mail Online " 'The Paralympics have a novelty value': Russell Brand slammed by Paralympic athletes for his remarks about the Games
- BBC Sport: History of the Paralympics
Sarah Ismail - Sarah Ismail is a physically disabled journalist and blogger. She edits her personal blog, Same Difference, which covers all kinds of ...
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