Watch this to the end. Seriously, watch it until the last moment and tell us you’re not completely shattered by the revelation.
This simple experiment involving a costume bear begs the question: do we really need to hide ourselves to get a little bit closer?
“There are only a few people who don`t have empathy with disabled people. Nevertheless, the passenger seat in the public bus next to Fabian often stays empty. Handicapped people are a regular part of our society.
So, get closer.”
Indeed. Thanks to HurricaneVanessa for the find.
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The Quicky
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I can, and will, take this further. Beyond being a person with an alleged disability (sorry I personally didn't see anything different with the guy), but being a male. We have to hide ourselves all the time because society seems to automatically assume that any guy that shows affection is either a paedophile (if showing affection to children...makes it hard working with kids) or wants sex if showing affection to a woman. I don't mind giving a comforting hug to anyone who I feel may want/need it, yet cannot do so for fear I'll be presumed guilty of something I'd never do, and certainly don't in mind at the time. I've also seen people have this attitude toward those with disabilities, why does society seem to assume all those with disabilites are paedophiles or similar?
Not really padophiles, I don't think...To adress your last sentence, I think neurotypicals react soooo much to body language, and have so many preconcieved ideas such as "someone who doesn't look you straight in the eyes is suspect", and so on, that they equate "different" with "possibly threatening".
It's not a conscious thing they do, really, most of them are ashamed of it when they realize how wrong they were, but it's an instinct they have. I don't really blame people for something that is inbuilt in their genetical design, I just treat it as THEIR handicap, it's to be dealt with gently, you can't reason people out of reacting instinctively. Just need to pick and choose who you interact with, and let them learn in time that your body language might not always be what they expect, but that you are a good person. It takes intelligent people to see past that "expected reaction not recieved, what does it mean?" feeling they get.
I was in tears at 28 seconds.. knowing that yes in this cruel world, he would not have gotten the same random, free giving, generous hugs without that costume.. how sad