July 23rd 2023.
A popular content creator recently unveiled a powerful social experiment that exposed the racial disparities in how disabled people are treated by the general public. The video featured two men, both of whom were pretending to be blind while they reached out to pedestrians on a walk. Although both actors behaved in a similar way, the results were starkly different. The white man was more likely to receive help and support than his black counterpart; one passerby even reportedly pushed him away.
This thought-provoking experiment was posted on Instagram by BARRY TV, a France-based content creator with millions of followers across YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. He is known for his videos exposing the underlying racial sentiments of everyday people.
The video quickly gained traction on social media for its blatant display of racism. It highlighted how Black disabled people can be subjected to hostility in even the most casual of settings. Although it was a staged experiment, its implications are part of a bigger problem.
Disability discrimination affects people of color within and beyond the health care industry. To combat this, national studies, such as the California Health Report’s impact on children, have been conducted to raise awareness. Advocates are also striving to empower Black people who are mentally and/or physically disabled.
People with disabilities are especially vulnerable when mistreated because of their race. The racial disparities surrounding disabled folks is nothing new, but it is a problem that must be addressed in policies and through a better understanding of how people treat marginalized groups.
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