The Disability Pride Movement on TikTok

When I wake up in the morning, the first thing I do is look in the mirror. I see surgical scars. They're scars resulting from cancer, a dual heart, and kidney transplant. All of my health issues have left me disabled, but I'm not alone. I am one of 65 million people with disabilities in this country. We are the nation's largest minority. Yet, we have the least representation in all facets of society. This is never more strongly felt than in the entertainment industry.

I have never seen people like me on television or film. The only place I do see disabled people is social media. The internet shines a light on our talents, whereas the mainstream doesn't. Mainly, I enjoy watching videos on Imani Barbarin's TikTok page. These hilarious videos chronicle disabled life, as seen through the lens of a black disabled woman that uses crutches. My favorite video is of her playfully reenacting a person on the street asking if they can pray for her.

As a wheelchair user, I can tell you that this is a common nuisance. Contrary to popular belief, most disabled people aren't waiting for salvation from God. We aren't waiting to be healed and believe that prayer is the only way we will be able to "walk again" and lead normal lives. You can lead a happy and productive life while using mobility aids. Life doesn't end with disability. For some of us, it's merely a new beginning. When I watch Barbarin's TikTok videos, I feel like I am enough and perfect the way God made me.

There is a disability pride movement that empowers disabled people to be proud of who they are and walk unashamed in their truth. Before becoming a wheelchair user, I would hide my disability. If someone noticed my heart transplant scar, I used to make up an excuse not to talk about it or change the subject. I felt being disabled was something to be ashamed of. Those days are over.

When speaking to her, I learned she created a TikTok page that transforms the definition of diversity and inclusion. She says, “As a disabled Black woman, I grew up feeling a sense of erasure on multiple fronts. In many ways, I was asked to suppress different parts of myself that were an inconvenience to others’ sensibilities. One day I had to say “enough” and no longer give in to the bias of those around me or make myself smaller for their comfort.

The content I produce is for the wholeness of who I am and is, in part a love letter to the disabled black girl who grew up simultaneously being told not to diminish who I am but was required to make myself smaller for their own comfort. I think that any content produced, especially by marginalized people, should be what you yourself yearned to see when the world was too busy saying you weren’t enough.”

This intersectionality is reflective of how the disabled experience is not universal or one dimensional. It’s multilayered. As an African American disabled woman, I can attest to the racism, sexism, and ableism we black disabled women survive. The black disabled experience means we experience oppression in all parts of our lives. From medical discrimination to institutionalized classism that ensures disabled people of color are more likely to experience poverty.

The "d" in diversity stands for disability. It’s time we honor the contributions of disabled creatives, which is why I wrote this piece. I want to celebrate a creative who deserves recognition for normalizing disability for an audience of people who may not get it yet. But, will eventually see the greatness in disability as opposed to simple pity. There is nothing wrong with being different, and sameness shouldn't be praised.

Embrace what’s different about you.