Representation or Tokenism? | Why Media Perceptions Matter

95% of all disabled TV roles are being played by non-disabled actors.

0.3% of all actors have a visible difference.

So lets talk about it...

"I never saw a single bald person online as a positive representation growing up."

This week, Zara and Faith are knuckling down on perceptions. From the TV shows that shaped our childhoods to the movies winning awards today, how are people with disabilities and differences actually being portrayed?

We’re diving into why that one episode of Friends still "triggers" Faith, the problematic 95% statistic of non-disabled actors playing disabled roles, and the beautiful moment Zara’s niece saw her in a Barbie doll. Whether it’s Emma Stone’s shaved head or the "Pitbull trend" that gives us the ick, we’re discussing where the media gets it right—and where they need to do better.

Shoutout to Novo Cabelo and their amazing hair systems which are discussed in todays episode.

Follow us for more:
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#DisabilityAwareness #Alopecia #ZaraAndFaith #WheelchairLife #Inclusion #RepresentationMatters #Podcast #ZebedeeModels

Transcript

SPEAKER_02 0:00

Hi, I'm Zara. And I'm Faith. And we would like you to sit down with us every Wednesday. Yay! On today's episode and for the majority of the month, we are going to be discussing perceptions, whether that's through media, whether that's through people's perceptions, and anything and everything.

SPEAKER_01 0:18

Surrounding people of difference and disability. Yeah. Basically. And how we are perceived on a different scale. There's a quite a big scale that unfortunately enhances certain stereotypes, which we're gonna knuckle down in this month.

SPEAKER_02 0:34

And if that's something you're curious about or you're interested in, please make sure you watch or listen to our following episodes.

SPEAKER_01 0:42

Yeah. And if you are new to this um podcast, obviously, hello, welcome. We hope you enjoy and hope you come back again next Wednesday. Yes, great. We are basically all our podcast is all about discussing the trials and tribulations of those with physical difference and disabilities to see how our lives are actually affected and how just to broaden the minds of everyone watching to show some reality as well as best as best, no, as well as bust some myths. I was wondering what we're gonna miss. Oh dear. So um Oh, it's been a long day. It has already been a long day, but um yeah, we're gonna we've got a lot to discuss with this.

SPEAKER_02 1:22

Yes. We I'm very hyped. I think this is pretty much one of those topics where I would have loved to have someone talk about and yeah, being part of that conversation today, very excited.

SPEAKER_01 1:33

And I think when it comes to perceptions, it's only really an issue when you are affected.

SPEAKER_02 1:38

100%.

SPEAKER_01 1:38

So for me, I never saw a single bold person online in the media, in a film, as a positive way growing up. Positive being the key word right here. So yeah, there's not enough awareness unless you're you you see the lack of awareness. You don't realise there isn't any.

SPEAKER_02 1:57

And I think for me, when I when I did see it, it was almost like either that became their whole personality, being a wheelchair user or being someone who is disabled, became their whole personality, or it was seen as something negative. Yeah. But yeah, we're going to be discussing all of that in today's episode.

SPEAKER_01 2:16

So, in this episode in particular, we're going to talk about media perceptions and how people of difference, people with disabilities are actually perceived online. And this is through social media all the way through to film, TV, cinema, which we are all inspired by, which I think everyone can agree. They love a good film, everyone's everyone has a favourite film, everyone has a favourite TV show growing up. And for me, my favourite TV show was Friends. I loved it, Ross and Rachel all the way, and I think Pandora and Monica.

SPEAKER_02 2:46

And I think films and TV have a great power in influencing people. Massively. Which is why when something negative comes from it, or when when they show something in a certain light, it's important to address it and almost not nip nip it in the bud, but like address it. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 3:05

And a show like Friends, they included s a variety of topics from like pregnancy to divorce to like even just growing up. Like the cast is only supposed to be in their 20s, like the late 20s, when they start. So for me now in my timeline, I'm like, that's humbling, that's great to know that actually we're not running out of time. Yeah. We're only on season one of Friends, exactly, exactly. It's good. So it's a good vibe. And I think with friends, it was very prevalent how it was filmed in the time it was filmed, because I think now, if it was filmed, some things might not have been said or done, and that just shows how far we've already come. Yeah. But it already shows how I was shaped as a kid seeing certain episodes. Yes. So I saw the episode where basically Ross was set up on a date with one of Phoebe's friends who was bald, and Rachel was like, Yeah, that is fine. Like she's bald, not a threat almost.

SPEAKER_02 4:03

I think it went something along the lines of she's this, she's that, and then in and then Ross um Rachel was a bit like and then she said, Oh, she's bald.

SPEAKER_01 4:12

And then that kind of the reason switch flip, to which I thought, hang on. And then that that already reinforces the stereotype that bold women are crazy. Yes. And it's like kind of unattractive as well. Yeah. Which is yeah, which is weird. And I think that links to the Britney Spears moment, which we'll talk about in a different episode, because that's a big stereotype and thing that everyone comments on. Yeah. And it's like, but with that perception already on friends, it enhances a stereotype that just isn't true. But at the time, that is all people knew. There wasn't a lot of awareness of alopecia or different forms of hair loss. So I would understand that view. And it is a comedy, lighthearted TV show as well. Yeah. I mean, I can I can, you know, that's chill as well. I can what's the word? Laugh about that. Support that, laugh about that, that's fine. But yeah, but then obviously when this woman actually does shave her hair and does go bald, she's so happy and refreshed. And that's honestly how it feels. Like when I did have to shave the last 20% off, like it felt so refreshing to know that I don't have to worry about my hair falling out. Obviously, in her case, her hair wasn't falling out, it was a choice. Which is also beautiful as well. And I see a lot more women nowadays doing that just to almost reset their hair if it's really damaged. Yeah. Put women do that now as well. It is quite common, which is nice. But I think for this, when she did shave her head, it was like, oh my god, what has she done? End of relationship. Oh my goodness. Yeah. Like end of relationship. Yeah. And so that scared me going into relationships, like, I have to wear a wig. Yeah. Like I have to have hair to be beautiful.

SPEAKER_02 5:47

Yes.

SPEAKER_01 5:47

And I think again, I understand it was years ago and it was a comedy effect for the show. Yeah. But there's just some things that's not funny. Yeah. And I just think obviously they have to make a joke somewhere. And it just it does say what it does explain what the times were like back then and how much we have grown from that. But that episode is one that just triggers me so hard. When it comes on, my partner like skips it. Like we don't watch them to now because it just bothers me way too much. It's just because of how far I've come. Yeah. And that it's just so outdated that episode. But a few episodes are very outdated, but that one in particular for me, and I'm sure a lot of other allopitians can agree as well, is just very outdated.

SPEAKER_02 6:28

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 6:28

So yeah. And I think a lot of TV shows back then, I can't remember a lot, but I remember watching a reel of a girl, of a woman who's put a collection of different TV shows together. Again, very American comedy, some UK comedy, but it was about bold women and how we were crazy and unattractive. Oh my gosh. And so it all kind of fed into one. So yeah, but that is why we're here showing representation, showing that I am not crazy. I might have my moment if you don't indicate right. But it's funny. When you're driving hair or lack of. Yeah. That's just normal. Yeah. So yeah. Nothing to do with my hair.

SPEAKER_02 7:01

No.

SPEAKER_01 7:02

Didn't have a crazy moment, just genuinely felt like that.

SPEAKER_02 7:04

And it it it really does bother me how they put that together. And I think one thing that triggers me is when I see a a film or a movie or whatever, and there's like a disabled character. I love, I literally jump out of my seat because I'm like, yes, representation, and like someone like me, especially when I was younger. But then, for example, I watch like an award show, like at the NTAs or whatever, the National TV Awards. Yeah. Oh my god, there we go. And that's what it was stand for. Um, the NTAs, and that person wins an award. And they're like walking up to the stage, yeah, and I'm like, hang on a moment. Last time I saw you, yeah, and that's that's when I realized about I think I looked at the statistics of this, 95% of actors slash actresses who play a disabled character aren't actually disabled.

SPEAKER_01 8:00

Oh my god.

SPEAKER_02 8:01

Which I just think, one, it's annoying for people like us in the industry who are aspiring to be those characters, but two, it's almost like what why are you pretending? Like what what what's going on? Like just because you're sat in a wheelchair doesn't mean it's just it really does trigger me on another role. And I don't know if anyone else who's watching this who are disabled who also feel like that or actually knew of that fact because I was yeah, that that really annoyed me when I'd seen that.

SPEAKER_01 8:32

I think some of the roles can be played with grace. For example, the theory of everything. I love that it shows the full journey of Stephen Hawkins. Yeah. And I think that's a beautiful way to show it all. And I know the actor did a lot of research and understanding, and he had a lot of sympathy for that character as well. Yes. But I think in other terms and other roles, it's just it doesn't make sense.

SPEAKER_02 8:53

No. And I think I can appreciate some disabilities or some people with certain disabilities wouldn't want to be in this industry, and it's hard to find certain actors with certain disabilities to make the movie or the film uh more kind of genuine. I appreciate that, but I think that there's some some like directors and some like movie makers have taken that and just like applied it to every single disability, which again comes back to the t like the title of our what we stand for is like every disability and difference is different. And yeah, just do your research basically.

SPEAKER_01 9:28

We're not all in one bubble, just like everyone in the world, no one is in the same box with each other. No, everyone's unique and different, and it goes the same. Even if you're even people with alopecia, even diagnose differently, every person's alopecia is different. Yeah, like not one of us has the same regrowth or the same hair loss, it's all different. So as much as it's even if it's under the same term, all different things.

SPEAKER_02 9:50

It's different, yeah. And I think sometimes when they do have a person with a disability, it almost becomes their whole personality or about them through the whole movie. And obviously, with the movies like Me Before You, where it is obviously centred around that person's disability, I get that. That's that's an important part. But also there's some movies where it's not necessarily good for the plot to be doing that, but you do that anyway because it's like maybe it gets you views. I don't know why they do it. If I could understand that, maybe I would, but I don't. But I what I really like about certain movies, for example, Wicked, Alphabet's sister. Um, this is not a spoiler by the way, if you've still not watched Wicked, which if you haven't, where have you been? Yeah, come on. I mean, not saying that, I've not watched the second one yet. I know I haven't. I could be like, oh, I'll go next week, I'll go next week, it's gone.

SPEAKER_01 10:45

So is it though? Because I obviously I went to watch Avatar the other week thinking that Oh my god, is Wicked not gone? I think it's still on, you know. Oh god, the second one, I'm sure it is. But I feel like the first one was better as a second. I So when I watched the first one, I thought there's nothing that could beat this. So I'm like But if you don't know the story of Wicked, I could see how the second one is like Okay. See, I know Gastillia Wicked. So I think if you don't know Wicked, you the second one is like so many twists and turns. And it's amazing. Maybe we'll go. And it is it, oh my gosh, it is amazing. But the first one, yeah. I just love I l I l I cried. Oh my gosh, I cried at the first one. I cried more in the first one than the second one, but still watch it. Still watch it. I I think if if it's on after this, I'm gonna say it. If it's on, I'm gonna go. Well, just go for a cinema trip now after this episode.

SPEAKER_02 11:35

Bye guys! Episode three research for later. But yeah, anyway, as I was saying, so with The Wicked, with Alphabet's sister, she was, if she haven't seen it, she was in a wheelchair. So she is in a wheelchair. And it one, it's the whole story isn't about the sister. And when it shows her, and like when it's like an interaction with her, there's nothing mentioned about her disability, which again it doesn't make it her whole personality. And also what I loved is when the premiere came around, I thought, okay, yeah, she's just gonna be an able-bodied person. Here we go again. She actually isn't. This gal is actually disabled, yeah, which I love. Well done for well done for you.

SPEAKER_01 12:21

And I love that because they they truly have casted on talent and who was right for the part, not based on like the disability or your inclusivity checkbox, like it wasn't that at all. It's genuinely who can play that part to its fullest, and I think that's what makes it even more pure when there is um an actor with a disability, yeah, a true disability, or a true physical difference, because it's like they've got that role because of their t their talented, not for ease and not for a box.

SPEAKER_02 12:50

Yeah, and I think oftentimes it's m really interesting that you said for a tick box, oftentimes things happen and it's just oh, it's just a tick box, or it's just this person with a certain difference, oh, it's a tick box, and that person couldn't have felt more couldn't have felt less authentic to the role if they could try. Yeah. And it's just, yeah, get in that balance, doing your research, and just yeah.

SPEAKER_01 13:13

Going on from obviously the premiere and how obviously it turned out that Alpha's sister was in a wheelchair that's so pure, there was a premiere that I it sits weird in me. So it's a film with Emma Stone, and for the film she had to shave her hair, which was kind of part of the character's journey. Okay. And so, and there was literally a scene where she was at she actually had her head shaved on film, like they filmed that. So I understand that like a bald wobbler can't be casted to that because I can't grow hair to shave top. It's like I'm it's not that, that's not my point. And Emma Stone as an actress is beautiful. Um, I love all her work, and I think she played that role very, very well. And even in her interviews, she's people have asked her how hard was it to shave to shave your hair, and she's gone. For her who has not experienced hair loss, she was like, It's just hair, just got a razor and shaved it off. And now it's like, I actually appreciate that because for some people they they hold so much deer to their hair that shaving it's so bad. Yeah. And actually, on one hand it is just hair. And I can only say that now because I'm at the other side of it and I realise it is just hair, but back then it was not, it was emotions, it was trauma, it was horrific. But I appreciated her saying that at the time, and it was just a bit it was warmer than her saying, Oh, it was so hard, you know, like it was warmer. But going back to the premiere, they had a premiere set where the only people that could attend were bald people. Stop. And so there was a few wearing bald caps, they kill her, and then like shaved their head for the premiere, and a few women with alopecia went. And I just think I get the inclusivity, but I just don't think it was necessary. I think that inclusivity should just be there naturally. You don't have to make it a thing that everyone has to be bold, because then it just kind of shines a limelight on us all that we are bold. Bald.

SPEAKER_02 15:03

But like being bold is like a yeah, it's a thing, it's not a thing. Like it's as in like like it's not a trend.

SPEAKER_01 15:09

No, like this right now, I am not a trend. This is just my life. Yeah. Like, and I think they've turned it into a trend, which has happened so so much, which we'll talk about again in within the month. Yeah. That it's like the bald cap isn't a trend, it's you're actually impersonating how someone looks like. Yeah. And I think if you I'm sorry, if you did it with colour, that's not okay.

SPEAKER_02 15:31

No, like imagine, I'm sorry, I'm saying this as a I think I can consider myself as brown. I do know what sometimes I'm like, am I brown? I think I might be too white to be brown. Anyway, white as in like colour-wise, not as in person. Anyway, I'm Iranian, I'm brown, alright. Um I think like imagine you just painted yourself in brown paint and went to what, like a movie about African black people. I'm sorry, the that wouldn't happen.

SPEAKER_01 15:59

That wouldn't happen. Yeah, rightly so as well. Like and so again, if the if the the bald premiere was just for fun, yeah. Find a different theme. Find a different theme. Maybe you could all dress as like her outfit, you know, or uh or come with no makeup on, you know, like that is a better version than turn up bald with no hair.

SPEAKER_02 16:21

Like this reminds me of so we all know him, Pitbull. Yeah. No one love him. And uh I think his concert was, I think last year. Yes. Um, and I was like, oh I'm gonna be there, I'm gonna be the first one there. And as it happened, the UK one happened after the like some had already happened, and I'd seen some of it on social media, and I saw that there was a trend off the back of his concerts where people were like wearing his suit to the concert, which is fine, but also wearing it with the ball cap with a ball cap, and I was like, no no no no no apps like even if I wasn't gonna be the one that do it, obviously I wouldn't, I can't be in a room full of people that are doing that.

SPEAKER_01 17:05

That's just so wrong. It's like I was on a train, uh I think I was coming back from Blackpool or somewhere on a train in the n in the northwest, and um there was a group of people either on a Hendo or like a society night, they were all dressed up and one guy did have a ball cap on. Like, and it was kinda part of me wanted to go, ah, mine looks better than yours, as a joke, because I can joke about that. Yeah, but at the same time I was like, should I be offended by this? Because like it's not I d I don't know, I just it just gives me the ick, and I hate the word ick because it's so overused, but it really just is like a sticky situation. I'm like, I can't agree or disagree with it. I know it's a fun thing, but for me, I don't appreciate it.

SPEAKER_02 17:46

It's one of those things where, like, for example, I take the mick out of myself on my wheelchair all the time. Like, all the time. If you know me personally, you know that. And I think it's one thing if someone close to you was like making a joke or like doing something like that, and you would make that joke to them being like, Oh, I wear it better. Yeah. But it's another thing saying it to a stranger because then they could be like, Oh, it is a fun thing, so I should carry on doing it. Yeah. Do you know what I mean? But it's not okay.

SPEAKER_01 18:13

But I think that's that's why it's such an issue because the more people do it, the more people find it a joke. And then that enhances another stereotype that this is just a trend. Yeah. When this is not, this is my life. Like my hair will not grow back. It's not a trend. These these aren't the cards I'm dealt with. Yeah. And when people are almost making a joke out of your circumstances, yeah. Obviously not out not of my circumstances, but it's attached to it. Yeah. It just enhances the stereotype even more that I'm crazy and then I've done this for a trend when you're not.

SPEAKER_02 18:41

No.

SPEAKER_01 18:42

So it's been seven years. Nearly, actually, October. I'll be bald seven years. We need to celebrate. We need to celebrate big. 27th of October. Oh! 2019 when I did it. I know. Oh my gosh, I know.

SPEAKER_02 18:56

So empowering. But yeah, we need to do a special episode of that. That'll be a great day.

SPEAKER_01 18:59

Mm-hmm.

SPEAKER_02 19:01

I wonder if it's a Wednesday. Imagine.

SPEAKER_01 19:05

Cake. Yes.

unknown 19:07

Cake.

SPEAKER_01 19:08

No excuse for cake. I'll have to show my collection of wigs, which I actually want to get rid of because I've got all my wigs still from high school, and I'm like, oh, that will be a monumental day. They've had that day. That'll be a monumental day. Do you have a wig that you're like have an attachment to? I do. And it's the wig, my first ever wig, only because of it shows me how far wigs have come. Because it was really.

SPEAKER_02 19:31

This doesn't sound like a really weird question and probably ignorant on my part, but you're the only person that I know that wears wigs. And I love you for it.

SPEAKER_01 19:41

That used to wear wigs actually, you don't wear them anyway. I wear them when I'm too cold. Like I wore them once or twice to like the Christmas markets in Manchester. Because if you think I'm wearing a hat, like through out all of that. Like, no. No. I need uh I need two hats, you know? I need hair and hat. Yeah. You know. So I did wear my wig going to that.

SPEAKER_00 20:00

Okay.

SPEAKER_01 20:01

But it was also really nice because I could just enjoy the Christmas markets. I didn't have people staring at me.

SPEAKER_02 20:06

Honestly, if I could just walk around, I would.

SPEAKER_01 20:10

Yeah. It's like I I don't I don't mind people staring, but it's when it's constant. I'm like, give me a break. Like, I'm sick of waving and smiling. Because that's what I do now. If you're gonna stare at me, I'm gonna wave and smile. What do you expect me to do?

SPEAKER_02 20:20

This is why I hate when people call me lazy or like call disabled people lazy. Like, trust me, if I could walk, I would. I mean, I can walk. Technically speaking, I can walk a little bit, but I can't walk like through the streets. If I could walk, I would. Because the stairs not it. No. But anyway, my question was do wigs have different sizes? Or is it?

SPEAKER_01 20:44

Oh my god, I'm so glad that wasn't a stupid question. Yeah, you can have different cap sizes. Okay. So even the ones, if you even if you get a one-size cap, there is normally like elastic that you can use. So they're the the mainstream wigs that a lot of people use. But the a wig that's more expensive, you'll normally get it custom made to your head. And it's normally lace, so it's normally um almost like not um not fishnet, but kind of, but really thin. Normally it's soft, it's got a lot softer, it used to be itchy as hell, but then that kind of moulds to your head. So the one wig that I have from Novo Cabello, I will shout out because I love their wigs. We love them. I I love his wigs, his brand is gorgeous. They do toppers for men and women, and they look incredible. Like to the point that I went We will put the details in the capsule. Yes, yes, to the point that I went to an event with them and I couldn't tell who was wearing a wig and who wasn't. It was obvious I was because he put it on in front of everyone. Okay. So which was fine because I could not put it on myself. And um, yeah, but that that wig has a membrane on, so the membrane would eventually if I say if I wore this wig every day, it would have moulded to my head.

SPEAKER_02 21:55

What great technology.

SPEAKER_01 21:56

Yeah, like in it, I could swim in this, dance in this, and I did actually dance in it on. Stage.

SPEAKER_02 22:00

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 22:01

So it was good. It was a real so wigs have got a lot better.

SPEAKER_02 22:04

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 22:05

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 22:05

Mm-hmm.

SPEAKER_01 22:06

Interesting. And Emma Stone actually said that because obviously she, when she did shave her head, she wanted to hide the fact that she had shaved it for the movie. Oh right. So or as part of the film. So she actually did wear wigs. And she even her, she was like, she she understood the self-consciousness of it. Oh my gosh. I think she was at the NTAs or at an awards event and she was asking her friends, Oh, can you see can you tell it's a wig? Can you tell it's a wig? And that's the only reason why people knew she was wearing a wig. She could ask that many people if it was. And I've been there, I get it, because when in when you're not used to it on your head in front of people, you do feel like it's sliding or that it's giving it the back. Sticking out. Yeah, when it's it's not. So wigs have come a long way. Do appreciate it, even though I don't wear them anymore. I love to appreciate for those that wear them.

SPEAKER_02 22:51

Yeah, it's a it is a choice, isn't it? You choose not to. It is do what you want to do. Do you. Do you? Do you? I think another sort of this is not necessarily media, but it can shape media. And I think one thing I saw, one thing I see is Bobbies. And as we've all loved Barbies growing up, I started loved a Barbie. I still have a Barbie somewhere in my bedroom. Yeah. Yeah. I love it. I mean she's been through hell and back, dragged to the hedge backwards, but she's still alive. She is still alive in her original original outfit and we're looking for it. But one thing I love is seeing how Barbie has evolved in terms of different shapes and sizes. So like we've got Barbie's in wheelchairs now, which it was a great moment. So I'd seen Barbie's in a wheelchair, and I'd like always like been like cute, gone past it, and like never really unlike got it in like a oh my god, like this is great kind of thing. But it is, but like I never kind of because obviously when it happened, I was way old at time, so it didn't really mean that much. But I remember being in Tesco actually one day, and I was with my niece who is three or three years old, and we were in the toy aisle, and she said, Oh, that's like you. And I'm like, who? I'm like like looking around, looking at a disabled person. And she meant the Barbie. That's so cute. And honestly, it was at that point, and I'm like, This is why it matters, and it I'm not gonna tell you everything about it now. So precious. But I was just like, wow, like that is insane. And yeah, so like from then on, I'm like, it's not just about the person who is disabled, it's about people that's around them. Like, for example, like people who are disabled who are mothers or like fathers, and like having their kids see that is it sends a great message, as well as that having kids who are like the kid being disabled, like seeing that. And most recently, there's a Barbie that's come out that's representing the S C N D community. Uh, I believe she's got well, she's represented as having autism, which I just think is so cute. Also, shout out to Zebedee because the model that they kind of took, how do you say it?

SPEAKER_01 25:19

Like I think inspiration.

SPEAKER_02 25:20

Inspiration almost helped form the Barbie doll was that was yeah, the the model that they used for inspiration was a Zebedee model, which I think is great. Just makes me proud of Zebedee even more. But yeah, I think that's great, and I think it's even more special because being part of the S C N D community, you're not necess it's not necessarily always a physical disability. Um and it's just interesting that they've managed to show that to Ribbia, even though it's not something physical, and I just think it's great, and I'm sure it means a lot to people who are within that community, and I just I just love that. And yeah.

SPEAKER_01 26:00

Yeah, I think that's all come from more awareness as well. Definitely. So yeah, it's it is very lovely.

SPEAKER_02 26:06

I think it's it's just nice, because like even like because I remember like maybe like ten years ago, twenty years ago, you would not even see a colour, a different colour of a Barbie. Like it was all white, blue eyes, blonde. And slowly it went to brown, this, that, um maybe yeah, like different style and different heritages of Barbie and dolls. And now, like being in a place now where disability is part of that, it's just really nice because they are acknowledging that disability is a thing, and it's yeah, it's just really nice, and it makes me really happy for this is gonna sound really weird, but like makes me really happy for the younger generation. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 26:53

Seeing that to be fair, because of the awareness, it is so like vital for the younger generation to see that, yeah. Because that will start to shape their awareness. So 100%. Because I was once teaching um at a dance school near me, and the one of the children when I was leaving, her mum came up and told me that she tried to shave her hair to give it me, and she wanted to look like me, like she wanted to give me her hair, and I'm like, that's so pure because she didn't need to do that, and she's never met another bald woman before. But she actually like actually wanted to give her hair to me so I could have hair, and it's like, and I've had that a few times off kids when like their awareness of it is just they've never seen this before, and then they almost like they're not predisposed to negative like connotations or stereotypes of anything, they they're just so pure and innocent, and I think that's what you forget when you grow up, and then everyone becomes a bit more rude, blunt, nasty, and yeah, like unintentionally rude, it's just natural to them, and that's when it's so sad because if they had the awareness when they were a kid, they probably wouldn't be that rude person down the street. Like no, yeah.

SPEAKER_02 28:02

It's it's funny because your story reminded me of when I was on the bus one time and there was this I think the baby the kid was like four or five years old, maybe even younger, and they got on after me, and she turned out to her mum and was like, Oh, it's it's it why has she got wheels? And then the mum was like mortified, even though in a situation like that, I'm actually like I don't take it to heart. It's just like she's not seen. Yeah, especially when it's a child, I'm like, stare away, babe, try and figure it out. Literally, it's okay. What came after it? I was like, oh my god, because I I was I was expecting her to be like, or like, why is she not walking? Or blah blah blah. And then she went, Oh, I and then I think her mum said something like, Oh, she's in a wheelchair, or like blah blah blah. And then she turned around and she went, Oh, I want wheels. I was just like, Stop it, stop it right now. And it just made me realise that that generation and like that kind of age group doesn't see it as a negative thing. And it I mean, it's not a negative thing, it's just like I've said many a times, you go around a ramps. Well, no, you don't go around a ramp. I go around the ramps, you go downstairs, whatever. Vice versa. Yeah, yeah. Anyway, so yeah, and it's it's just nice that that I just wish everyone had that mentality. Yeah, that. Yeah. Be jealous of me, don't don't hate on me.

SPEAKER_01 29:27

I know. 100%. But I think to wrap this whole episode up, I think it's very vital how representation is on a screen because that's because the screen and cinema and media as a whole really hits and promotes stereotypes, right or wrong. Definitely. And I think they've it's is it's very hard to I guess do it well sometimes because you've got to do it with caution and with care. But it's also very easy to do it wrong, and so I understand where mistakes happen and people are still learning, but we have definitely learned today that awareness online through media, through cinema, is vital just for the younger generation, even for people now, to change their own perception of what they think they already do.

SPEAKER_02 30:12

It's it's never too late.

SPEAKER_01 30:13

You might be in your 50s, you might be in your sixties, it's never too late to learn. Never, and it's like you'll hear a story next week about um when we get we get someone on the podcast uh about um a story we share about when I was younger and um about it was an interaction with an elderly man. Yeah. And so it is it is it can be a generational thing, but it again it's just how time has changed, and also just how much more awareness there is out there, and it's not a bad thing, it's something that should be celebrated, yeah.

SPEAKER_02 30:41

It's yeah.

SPEAKER_01 30:43

I'll I don't have anything to add to that, it was beautiful. Yeah, and I think I think in a world where there's so many trends, there's so much fakery online, you know. We've already said that AI is so hard to distinguish distinguish nowadays. Yeah, it's like the the need for authenticity is even more. Yes. So I think if you're gonna have like a disabled character in a film, yeah, like really look into actors that have a disability. And like it has got better. I mean, on Emmerdale and Coronation Street now, there are actors that have Down syndrome. Yeah, I love that. And I think it's so so so beautiful to see that because that that is normal life.

SPEAKER_02 31:16

Yeah, like you when you go down the street, you might see someone you can still down syndrome, you might see someone in a wheelchair. I mean, it's not maybe it's like one in ten, but it it there are there.

SPEAKER_01 31:26

They are around. Like in na in in the world, you go through natural walks, you see natural walks of life, and not everyone is the same. Yeah. And so I think all the yeah, so that's that's if you're gonna do a film or do something that's about real life or could potentially be a real life thing, yeah. Do your research.

SPEAKER_02 31:43

Do your research but also yeah, don't be afraid to include us. Yeah. And on that note, thank you so much for watching. Yes. Listening. I hope you've enjoyed. We've discussed a lot. It got a bit heated back there. I know, didn't we? I like I said, I'm very passionate about this month's episodes and sort of topic. So yeah, we might be throwing hands. Rhetorically, of course. We're not whiling around here. But yeah, if you enjoyed watching, please leave us a review, comment, like, all that jazz. Yeah, share. Share it with your friends. But they just have the same thing. Wow. We we're becoming one. We are one. We are becoming one in half. So yeah, hope you enjoyed it. See you next week. Bye.