Monday, October 16, 2017
How costumers are using cosplay to overcome disabilities
The Verge: One of the most beautiful things about New York Comic Con this past weekend was the diverse array of attendees at the four-day celebration. New York’s Jacob Javits Convention Center and its surrounding streets were filled with children, senior citizens, couples, families, seasoned cosplayers, self-proclaimed “blerds” (a portmanteau for “black nerds”), and everyone in between. It was hard to not be moved by the inclusive nature of the event, where thousands of people came to express their fandom for whatever character or property they identify with, whether that meant simply watching the crowd, or arriving in elaborate costumes they crafted themselves.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
5 comments:
One of the biggest stigmas that is apart of our society is mental and physical disabilities. We struggle to address and acknowledge them. Because of these large stigmas it does not surprise me that people with physical disabilities struggle with socialization. I’ve always loved cosplay and I think it’s a real art. People who cosplay spend hours making their costumes and their make up ideas. I love how pattern and repetition (shout out to Susan Tsu) were mentioned and how these techniques helped these disables cosplayers learn how to focus and have discipline. It’s really incredible to see how a passion for comics through costuming can help people with disabilities feel more comfortable with themselves and with others. Cosplay is like playing pretend and I think it's a great time for people with disabilities to become something else. What’s great about cosplay is also the encouragement of original superheros/ comic related characters.
“It lets you be someone different for a day”. These word ring true and relatable for people with disabilities trying to find an escape. I'm floored by the notion that so many people with disabilities attend and credit events like Comic-Con and cosplay to their livelihood. Many of these people often feel helpless, they feel like outcasts, and the people they dress up are often times superheroes like Professor X, who have stories of perseverance themselves, it gives them an opportunity to have a moment where they're apart of a community that shares a common interest without any judgement. Its important for there to be more and more events like Comic-Con that encourage cosplay simply because of all the positive that comes out of it. I was also impressed by the rise of people with disabilities making a difference for the disabled within the cosplay community to create a better environment for each other, its truly remarkable to know that this art form is growing and is able to provide comfort and inclusion for so many people.
As someone who attends Boston Comic Con and PAX East every year this article was a welcome look into something that is very present at these events, but isn’t talked about. I find that the cosplay community is one of the coolest and most welcoming of any that I’ve been a part of. Especially at places where nerdiness is appreciated and cultivated, cool ideas for costumes that work around, or include, a disability are viewed as really interesting and cool. I was also glad to hear about how the organizers are listening to what the people are asking for, such as adding pillows to the quiet room. I think it’s very difficult for an event that at the end of the day wants to make a profit to actually spend time, money, and space to accommodate for people who may not fit the norm. I look forward to continuing to attend these shows and seeing even more of these amazingly inventive cosplays.
This article is extremely applicable to the theatre, which is in desperate need to become more accessible. It has taken to the 21st century to get just one actor who needs to be in a wheelchair for mobility issues, Ali Stroker, who debuted in the 2015 revival of Spring Awakening. Theatre needs to write for actors with physical limitations just as it writes for able-bodied people. The same is true about audience members with physical limitations. Many theatres have limited wheelchair accessible seats as well as many areas of the theatre which aren’t accessible by wheelchair due to old construction without wheelchairs. Theatres have been getting better with newer constructions but there is still room for improvement. This article talks about how there is a lack of representation when it comes to mental and physical disabilities in comic books and this true not only in comic writing but in writing in general as well as theatre. One of the comic book authors wrote a story for her daughter so she would have a positive example in her life of a disabled hero. This point also reminds the reader of the lack of representation in artistic mediums in general. Here at Carnegie Mellon Drama, the whole mainstage season is written by white playwrights. In general, this article isn’t just showing how Comic-Con has become more inclusive to disabled enthusiasts but a reminder of how we need to have more minority representation in art.
In a world where often it feels as though everything is falling apart, this article made me incredibly happy to hear about Comic-Con’s efforts to be inclusive. Reading about how simple things like, the flooring or having a quiet room make me so happy because having those elements at the con is absolutely vital to disabled people having a good experience. I appreciate that this articles brings the issues of accessibility to the greater public, and that Comic-Con is responding to the needs of their incredibly diverse audience. Unfortunately, it is easy to forget about those issues because we take walking for granted. I love that Comic-Con has become an inclusive place for people to connect and even overcome their disabilities. My favorite part of the article was Joseph Munisteri’s quote, “Cosplay has helped my disability in that I have ADHD as well as autism”. Actually, that makes me incredibly happy because it means that Comic-Con and cosplay can change someone’s world and make them feel accepted.
Post a Comment