Saturday, February 4, 2012

Frame of Mind

Bogdan defines "freak" as a "frame of mind", a set of practices, a way of thinking about and presenting people. I think this subject differs from the normal vs. deviant topic because it looks more on to the scientific/biological abnormalities of the human race. That is also why I think it has continued on for so long; Only if there was a scientific purpose. 

I was able to watch a show called BodyShock that introduced the life of disabled or deformed people. The episode I watched was on the worlds tallest man. It was very interesting to learn about the cultural and social adjustments that person had to make in order to live a normal life. The show portrayed the worlds tallest man almost as a hero, to show appreciation and attention he needs to overcome their disability.

Personally I am ok with the exploitation of "freaks" through these shows. I think it's a way of having positive attention given to them to feel somewhat accepted by society. I'm sure those who went to freak shows were not there to yell or put someone down. Those who went were there because they enjoyed/respected their difference from normal.


Brian Gallagher
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1 comment:

  1. Jeff.IovannoneFebruary 5, 2012 at 4:43 PM

    Brian,

    I'm not sure if I fully follow your point about how Bogdan's definition of "freak" deviates from the topic of defining normalcy versus deviance. What Bogdan is saying is that what we assume to be a scientific/biological identity (the freak) is really an identity that is culturally constructed. Remember Garland-Thomson's point that what we assume to be a freak of nature is really a freak of culture.

    Also, is it problematic that we regard disability as something that needs to be "overcome"? Instead, should we accept disability as a natural part of human life, not as a stigmatized identity that needs to be "cured" or "corrected"?

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