Disability advocate and writer Carly Findlay has taken to Instagram to urge people to think twice when using “facial disfigurements” as a Halloween costume. The public speaker has a genetic skin condition called ichthyosis, and she’s said in the past that she gets “stared at, commented on and teased every day”.
In her post, she shared a few snaps of herself dressed as a flower, wearing a cute floral hat.
“Boo! Did I scare you? I hope not. Because some people are scared by facial difference year round. Halloween costumes have a tendency to be scary — depicting facial differences in the form of scars, blood, redness and other disfigurements,” she wrote.
“These costumes create negative stereotypes for those of us with facial differences. The stereotypes and stigma and fear around facial differences means that some of us have been asked to leave restaurants and stores; are seated away from the public; ignored by customer service assistants; experience discrimination from employers, taxi drivers and cleaners; and are stared at, taunted, mocked, ridiculed and even endure physical violence.”
Findlay added that research has shown that those with facial differences are seen to be “less honest, less employable, less trustworthy, less capable, less intelligent and less attractive” than those who don’t have facial differences.
“People have suggested that my face would make a good Halloween costume, and I’ve had adults scream, cry, laugh or run away from me because they’re scared of my face,” she said.
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“Costumes can be removed at the end of Halloween. People without facial differences generally don’t experience discrimination and hate speech as a response to their appearance. People with facial differences cannot remove our faces,” Findlay said.
The activist told followers she had been on the receiving end of discrimination due to her skin condition, and said it was both “exhausting” and “hurtful”.
“This is a reminder that facial difference, disability and culture are not costumes. Have fun at Halloween, but please don’t cause hurt and harm.”
Findlay also used her post to promote Face Equality International, which says they’re an “alliance of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), charities and support groups which are working at national, regional or international levels to promote the campaign for ‘face equality’”.
I’m just glad that Findlay continues to use her platform to spread awareness about such an important issue. It’s definitely one for us to think about when we’re planning our Halloween costumes for this week!
Lead image: Instagram @carlyfindlay
The post Carly Findlay On Why Using Facial Disfigurement As A Halloween Costume Causes ‘Hurt & Harm’ appeared first on PEDESTRIAN.TV .
