Here's an interesting op-ed from The Washington Post (for those of you new to them, an op-ed is usually an opinion piece in a newspaper not written by its standing editorial writers ... it voices an opinion not necessarily shared by the paper's editorial board).
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/31/AR2007083101273.html?nav=hcmodule
What do you think of his point? Do fundraising efforts like this communicate a notion of helplessness? How else might we raise money for causes?
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Jerry's Kids
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
I think Mattlin's point is both extremely valid and often overlooked in the world of charity. I work as an activist against homelessness, and the amount of condescension towards the nation's poor emanating from the charity organizations themselves has always disturbed me (this is not an issue attributed exclusively to the disabled). While it may be tempting to use pity tactics to raise money, depressing images of poor or disabled children sometimes actually scare people away by making them uncomfortable. A perfomance troupe of people with down syndrome used to perform at my high school, and I found their shows, where the "mentally disabled" proved just how capable and talented they were, much more pleasing to watch than "Jerry's Kids." An interesting book related to this topic is "Moving Violations," about a successful journalist's experience as a disabled man in a wheelchair.
I haven't watched the MDA telethon since about 1978, and even then it was only for about 20 minutes. Maybe I'm not qualified to make a valid comment, but I'll try.
It sounds like the telethon is a bit exploitative. Maybe a lot. Jerry Lewis and the gang play at our emotions. I don't know if the ends justify the means. What else will motivate us to send off our money? Maybe more stories of people with muscular dystrophy and similar conditions doing ordinary and extraordinary things and how our money can help.
My mother is old and disabled. I hate it when people call her "dear" or "young lady." I see people condescend to her as if her white hair and failing legs have somehow reverted her brain to that of an infant. I understand Mattlin's frustration and disappointment.
Post a Comment