The #DisabilityTooWhite campaign, created by Vilissa Thompson, has prompted me to consider the intricate intersections of disabled, marginalised individuals of colour. This systemic lack of representation diminishes their visibility and significantly impacts their self-esteem and self-identification.
Integrating this interview and the hashtag into my teaching pedagogy could involve designing a project where fashion communication students must create a social media campaign with a core focus on addressing an audience that experiences a specific disability. This could enable the students to cultivate a well-rounded understanding of representation and inclusivity and foster improved consideration for accessibility within their work. An initial exercise for this would involve students analysing a chosen company’s social media content over a specified period and identifying the portrayal, and lack of, disabled PoC representation and accessibility tools.
The interview was published in 2016, almost a decade ago. Because of this, it makes me consider how the hashtag resonates today and question the progress made since then concerning intersectional identities and disability in our current social landscape. Incorporating Thompson’s comments on the backlash and the role of allies would further enrich our classroom discourse. Emphasising the importance of active listening, acknowledging privilege, and understanding the intricacies of allyship are points to note when discussing this.
More generally speaking, this movement will provide a tool to emphasise the role of digital advocacy in modern activism. Given my focus on sustainability, it’s crucial to take this on board moving forward. Using #DisabilityTooWhite as a case study, I could instigate more conversations surrounding how such movements can amplify marginalised voices, challenge the status quo, and drive societal change.
On a personal note, I admire Thompson’s unwavering commitment to addressing this void. Her endeavour is a reminder of educators’ crucial role in embedding diverse representation and accessibility into our curricula.
Even if accidental, the #DisabilityTooWhite campaign underscores the urgency to prioritise diverse representation of disability in our academic discourse.
Bibliography
Blahovec, S. (2017) Confronting the Whitewashing Of Disability: Interview with #DisabilityTooWhite Creator Vilissa Thompson. Huffington Post. Available at: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/confronting-the-whitewash_b_10574994?guccounter=1 (Accessed: 27 July 2023)