In today’s society hearing, seeing or reading someone discriminate against another or a group of others is hard to witness. It creates a vile taste in the mouth of most sensible-minded people who have not only accepted that all humans are equal but believe it to be true.
Tonight a friend alerted me to a post on Facebook. It wasn’t by a celebrity or someone of note, it was a random guy from Northern Ireland who seemingly was trying to be complimentary to his partner, I believe.
But underneath the romantic message of support for his partner was a terrible sinister discriminatory message about people who have “health” problems. To say I was shocked, horrified and bemused is an understatement. I couldn’t even understand why this person felt the need to stick the boot in, in the manner they did.
In his post the man was pointing out how he had a deeper understanding of what many photographers do thanks to being on the sidelines watching his talented partner at work. He even admitted to not liking photography as a medium because “I thought they just pressed a button and there was some skill needed but no real talent in it.”
The post, had he have stuck to the point he was making about how talented and hard working his partner was, could have been a beautiful romantic Facebook post that would have had a plethora of likes and ‘awwws’.
Sadly, the status is laden with terribly discriminatory language aimed at people who are “unhealthy” and clearly not just the few people out there who’ve a little high cholesterol or carrying a bit of weight.
The post read: [copied and pasted as posted] “In cases of shooting at fashion shows , weddings, gigs or festivals beware it is an extremely physical and demanding job and if you are unhealthy this may not be the best type of photography for you.
“I would recommend shooting natures gifts like landscapes, streams,forests, rivers, skies or animals, or still life work something that does not involve a high octane level of stamina and endurance.
“Running after young people up and down stairs is not the most suitable choice for anyone with low levels of energy so be careful out there it is a very physically demanding task and could be dangerous to your health, your photography, and your reputation as they could all suffer as a result if you are not aware or compatible with this extreme physical demand.”
I was totally confused as to why this was even relevant, yes, we know it’s a tough job – you made that clear. But why would anyone want to then continue to behave in such a discriminatory manner.
The post went on to read: [copied and pasted as posted] “Pick a form of photography that suits your life , there are many options to choose from and your work, health and reputation is more likely to richen as a result. Until i started preparing shoots for [name removed] i was completely unaware and unprepared for how exhausting it can be just to create an image and i am a very healthy active man of 40 . It is a full on exhausting days work, and then you have your days of editing after it.”
I suppose you could say I’m being a bit hard on this man, after all, he just states that it’s “unhealthy” people who shouldn’t be allowed to work in the photography field photographing “fashion shows, weddings, gigs or festivals”. But the way I look at it is if someone who is “not having or showing good health” isn’t capable of doing this type of job, does this also mean that the same man thinks there should be a limit on other people from doing this particular job. For example, people who have chronic illnesses, disability or other conditions that could, if you really wanted to be pedantic, fall under the definition of “unhealthy”. Where does he draw the line?
Archaic views of ability and capability are usually mocked, scorned and berated. The idea of creating boundaries for people without knowing what they can achieve is, in my mind, discrimination. And, if employers were to agree with this very narrow-minded gentleman then they would be breaking the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995.
As someone who has worked for over 20 years in a “high octane” job. I’ve been working in the deadline fuelled media world for two decades whilst battling undiagnosed hypothyroidism and fibromyalgia. In recent years my illnesses have got worse, following the birth of my child, but they haven’t stopped me delivering, nor have they curbed my ambition or my ability to compete with others in my field. In fact, I’ve become more determined and more organised to ensure I’m not limited by my illnesses that cause me to be “unhealthy”.
I sincerely hope this man reassesses his use of language and most of all reassesses his understanding of other people’s abilities and capabilities. Ironically, I happen to know an excellent photographer who works in all the fields this man claims are off-limits. She has M.E and yet she’s a prolific professional fashion, festival and events photographer…she also just happens to be an award winning wildlife and nature photographer.
Dressing discrimination up in a romantic message of love and support doesn’t make it any less despicable, it is what it is, to suggest that someone shouldn’t do or try something due to any particular issues with their health cannot, under any circumstances, be called anything else other than discrimination.
The original Facebook post. Names removed.