I have just witnessed what are easily the world's worst excuses for promotional videos for the Paralympics. In all my enthusiasm for the Games, I really try not to be a "Debbie Downer" but sometimes it feels unavoidable! I didn't stumble on the insulting pity-filled pieces on YouTube or a small website. Nope...unfortunately they are front and center on the OFFICIAL Paralympic website.
The first video, titled "Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games Promotional film", is just silly. The "people with disabilities" are clearly actors WITHOUT and they didn't even spring for legit chairs. The focus is skewed from the athletics of the Paralympics to the message that the country has prepared for the influx of many a wheeler from afar. Baton down the hatches folks! And kids-grab your soccer balls from the paths of blind visitors and their guide dogs! I think my captions would have been a nice addition to the film.
The title alone of the second video gets under my skin: "Everyone is Number One." That's nonsense! Everyone's number one in kindergarten and at church NOT at an elite level of competition. If everyone's a winner then NO ONE truly gets to experience victory. It's insulting to the level of training that the athletes put into their sport and I don't even support this mindset for the Special Olympics. I understand that China is largely a collectivist nation, which means that they don't value individual achievements (like winning) to the same degree we do. It could be a cultural difference, so I'll give the video a pass on the title.
Beyond that though, there are no excuses. You MUST watch the film. A guy loses his leg after being hit by a car and the video portrays his dismal existence. After I closed my gaping mouth while I watched the strange scene where this pack of running men blow by the fella on his crutches, I did eventually have to laugh. I'm fairly certain that the film wasn't intended to be comical but it's such a direct hit of nearly every stereotype in the book that I couldn't help myself. Here are few assumptions from the piece:
- It's a given that the guy with the disability doesn't get the girl.
- We all like to get drunk in dark rooms, take off our legs (or use another adaptive device), and throw them at nearby ringing phones.
- Railroads are the best place to practice walking. They do look cool on videos though.
And best yet...this stunning piece of cinematography was made, "specially made for the event and expressed the artist's admiration and support for athletes with disabilities." Hmm...I'd hate to see what would be the result if they didn't like us! Actually, I might RATHER see that. I've always preferred blunt discrimination to this disguised pity propaganda.
I'm hoping Beijing surprises me. It'd be tough to disappoint me any more!
