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6/30/98, 11:36 am
If you read the June 22, METRO section of the Commercial Appeal you may have been bothered by the sensational language used to discribe the person's disability. MCIL responded by writing the editor and the writer, the letters follow along with the response from the journalist who wrote the piece.
June 22, 1998
Letters to the Editor,
The Commercial Appeal
Box 334
Memphis, TN 38101
To the Commercial Appeal,
David Waters article on Monday "Her smile flashing, disabled fan radiates on-air personality," was seriously outside the scope of good taste. The piece sensationalized disability far beyond the dictates of the subject matter.
The author became so mired down in embellishing the individuals disability that the focus on the person was obscured. Clearly the explanations of "handicapped from birth, disabled for life," "paralyzed from the waist down," "born with spina bifida, a spinal defect," and "[she has] lifeless legs," were not intended to inform the readership of the outstanding accomplishments of the person.
Please direct your staff to The Associated Press STYLEBOOK entry on "handicapped, disabled, impaired." It states:
In general do not describe an individual as disabled or handicapped unless it is clearly pertinent to a story.
The AP STYLEBOOK continues,
handicap It should be avoided in describing a disability.
Beyond what is in good taste, it is tragic that the author could not report to Memphians what could be a superb story. I realize that it is more difficult for a writer to describe "...a smile made for television," than it is to report a medical diagnosis. However, I hope that the Commercial Appeal will attempt to focus on people rather than extraneous and superficial information in the future.
Sincerely,
Tim Wheat
This is the letter we directed to David Waters
Dear Mr. Waters,
I enjoyed the column "Faith Matters" on Sunday. I was pleased to read your personal story of how love, leadership and faith are not monopolized by a single gender. I was surprised, however, to read "Her smile flashing, disabled fan radiates on-air personality," was also written by you.
One article seems to show the universality and equality of the human spirit while the other sensationalizes disability. On Sunday you were the champion of those asked to summit. On Monday you championed stereotypes to whip us into a frenzy of pity.
In Monday's piece, you mentioned many aspects of the girls disability that have nothing to do with the telling the story of her dream. Not only does this reduce the importance of her accomplishment, but it devalues people with disabilities in general.
You did not say that people with disabilities are held to a lower standard, but it is clearly the message behind the story. You didn't say that Vandra's smile, or personality was in spite of her disability, but the many needless references to aspects of her disability make it clear that is what you had to say.
handicapped from birth
disabled for life
paralyzed from the waist down
born with spina bifida, a spinal defect.
[she has] lifeless legs
I think it is possible to relate the story "Her smile flashing, disabled fan radiates on- air personality" without any of these melodramatic statements.
This is the response from Mr. Waters
Subject: RE: "Her smile flashing, disabled fan radiates on-air personality "
Date: Tue, 23 Jun 1998 11:30:00 -0400
From: Waters, David
Mr. Wheat,
Thanks for your note. I see your point. Sorry about that. Certainly wasn't my intent to sensationalize Vandra's disability. Not sure how I'd write about her without writing something about her disability, but a couple of those lines might have been a bit much. On the other hand, I thought that by using her own words (in this case the note and the quotes) in reference to her disability, I could accurately capture her spirit. Maybe it wasn't enough. I'll work on it. Thanks again.
David Waters.
The following is what the Commercial Appeal actually printed
Misplaced focus
A June 21 article, "Smile shines through as paralyzed listener radiates on-air personality," was seriously outside the scope of good taste. It sensationalized disability far beyond the dictates of the subject matter.
The writer became so mired in embellishing the individual's disability that the focus on the person was obscured.
It is tragic that the writer could not report to Memphians what could be a superb story. I hope the Commercial Appeal will attempt to focus on people rather than extraneous and superficial information in the future.
The Memphis Center for Independent Living
1633 Madison Avenue,
Memphis, TN 38104
(901) 726-6404 v/tty (901) 726-6521 fax
mcil@mcil.org
MCIL is a United Way of the Mid-South member Agency
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