Unlike some members of the disability community, I was not offended by “Avatar.” In fact, quite the opposite.
I saw the movie with my younger brother. As we sat in the front row examining our 3D glasses and waiting for the movie to begin, my mind flashed back to a Saturday afternoon years before, when my father, brother, and I visited a Virginia theme park. We had snagged three seats on the front row of a virtual reality theater, the sort of hokey attraction where the chairs bounce and wobble based on what’s happening in the movie.
Several awkward minutes passed before a manager walked across the front row and told me that I “wouldn’t be able to participate in this experience” because my disability would make it unsafe. Adrenaline shot into my veins as we argued over whether having one leg would affect the seatbelt’s ability to restrain me during the show. It soon became obvious—with a crowd of viewers watching us—that she was not going to start the movie until I had left the theater.
I stormed out and began wandering the park, my fingers strangling my crutch handles, my palms sweaty. I envied the other seventeen-year-olds I walked past, all of whom seemed to be holding a funnel cake with their right hand and a girlfriend’s hand with their left. Stopping in the middle of a crowded plaza, I turned and saw that my father and brother had followed me across the park. I took a deep breath, but instead of sighing it out as I had intended, I began to sob uncontrollably. My father wrapped his arms around me and I buried my face in his t-shirt.
It was the first time I’d cried about my disability since I lost my leg at age nine. I had cried when I was diagnosed with the cancer, sure, and also in the weeks leading up to the amputation, but never after. I had always been afraid that if I started crying, if I started feeling sorry for myself, I might never stop. What would become of me?
So I suppose if I had seen “Avatar” before that afternoon at the theme park, my reaction would have been similar to that contingent of the disability community who was offended by the movie’s portrayal of Jake Sully, the parapalegic hero who literally jumps for joy when technology allows him to inhabit the body of a non-disabled human-like creature. People with disabilities, so it is often argued, shouldn’t be searching for cures or fixes for their conditions because doing so implies that they are in some way sick or broken; that they are, in other words, inferior. Should James Cameron’s hero rejoice at dodging his way into a pair of new blue legs? Should the character even feel the wish for the new legs in the first place?
The idea of a physical avatar—a way out, in the movie’s terms—is a thrilling or horrifying thing to those in the disability community, and the distinctions made by Sully’s choice can be troubling. This is the critical school of thought to which I belonged. But those tears at the theme park changed everything. Like Sully, I began to long for the freedom that comes with four functioning limbs. This is why instead of being offended by “Avatar,” I found it deeply relatable and even affirming, because also like Sully, I eventually found an outlet that provided me a measure of that physical expression.
In “Avatar,” Jake Sully transforms from a depressed, directionless parapalegic into a self-realized warrior king by taking the form of a blue-skinned creature and going to battle in the mountains. My own transformation took place at mountainside ski races in which I began competing during high school, culminating four years ago when I donned a skin-tight blue race suit and raced in Turino, Italy, as a member of the U.S. Paralympic Ski Team.
Next month, athletes from across the world will gather in Canada to do battle on the field of play in the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. Three weeks after the Olympics, a different group of athletes, those with disabilities, will arrive to compete in the 2010 Winter Paralympic Games. Paralympians are a lesser-known group, but the fulfilment they find through competition is no less significant—in fact, perhaps more so. Like Jake Sully, who left his wheelchair to win a war against oppression through the use of his able-bodied avatar, and like moviegoers, who are transported from their ordinary reality to a mythical world with the aid of 3D glasses, we Paralympians find meaning by escaping the bounds of our normal limitations and taking part in a profoundly physical human experience.
29 Responses to “is “Avatar” offensive to people with disabilities?”
February 5, 2010
1:23 pm
I am in awe of this blog. Your accomplishments and goals are outstanding and I am ecstatic to see where life takes you because it will deffinately be something huge, because you are ALREADY making differences in tons of people’s lives. Thank you
February 5, 2010
1:45 pm
I like movie Avatar disabilities man play part in can see self walk again
February 5, 2010
2:39 pm
Wow, Becky…that’s, like, really nice. Thanks.
February 5, 2010
2:45 pm
I really felt the same way, Avatar made me realize what the human race is really capable of, and what we are really doing on a day to day basis. In many ways I felt patronized on many levels, as did most people. There have been ridiculous conclusions drawn about this movie in so many respects, racism and phobia of physical disabilities to name but a few. The mere fact that the hero in this film is a paraplegic and makes no excuses for this, I think is a huge step regarding visibility for people with disabilities. And the sheer joy that he felt running for the first time, as an avatar came across to the audience, it sure hit he hard. Does this say that he was ‘better’ with legs, or that all disabled people secretly wish to have mobility? That is a question that only can be answered by yourself here. But I him as a disabled person, I felt his pain, his loss, and his emotional recovery, be it through a sci-fi reality, but I am sure this mirrors the struggles that having such a disability would affect anyone, in the real world.
February 5, 2010
4:10 pm
…Wow. I am extremely happy I clicked this link to read this blog. Your ideas are inspirational and, while I do not have a disability, I feel as if we think the same. I completely understand why teenagers my age think so highly of you. Thank for writing this, I can’t wait to go out and buy your book.
February 5, 2010
4:29 pm
Not too long ago, I went to an amusement park. I checked into the office, to get the disability sign sheet thing. (Some of the lines were not accessible so, it was a pass to be able to get onto the exit.) They told me that I wouldn’t be able to ride most of the rides! Including my favorite ones, that I had ridden a few years before, even with my amputation. Apparently they had been bought out by a bigger aumusement park company, who had established new rules. I was ready to cry. But, when I mentioned to one of the people that I had ridden these rides before, and I was willing to accept the “risks” (with full shoulder straps). They gave me permission to ride my favorite rides.
February 5, 2010
5:22 pm
My problem with this movie is not the same one that you are expressing. I take offense to the fact that there was finally a character in a big action packed movie that was meant to be disabled and they casted a person who was not disabled. I’m sure there are plenty of people with disabilities that would have fit that part perfectly and finally been able to have a chance as a movie star, and they gave that role to an abled body person. It’s like hollywood is saying that even disabled people aren’t good enough to portray the role of someone with a disability in a movie. I mean come on, a person with a disability could have been a much better pick because they wouldn’t of had to pretend that they were disabled. That, I personally think is messed up.
February 5, 2010
7:51 pm
I thought of you when I was watching “Avatar” and was curious about your reaction. I’m glad you wrote this blog. Not so surprisingly, you response is incredibly positive and insightful. Perspective is funny. We all have our own unique way of interpreting what is happening around us and to us. We form opinions based on how they make us feel, and those feelings have a lot to do with our character. The “Josh Sundquist Perspective” is why you’re able to make such a great impact on people. Very admirable! I hope that makes sense. Basically, you are such a genuine, inspirational person and people are drawn to that. Keep it up!
February 5, 2010
11:50 pm
I think you are amazing. I was diagnosed with Ewings sarcoma at the age of 13 and i relaped feb of last year. You are my insperation. I am now 17. I cant wait to read your book! I play sled hockey and think it is awsome that you ski. I only wish i could go to the paralympics as a sled hockey goaile. You are my hero!
Christina
Lancaster Ohio
February 6, 2010
8:13 pm
You are welcome Josh!
February 6, 2010
10:05 pm
Great Blog glad I clicked on it also great book.
February 7, 2010
3:59 pm
[...] to Disabilities and Avatar 7 02 2010 The other day Lauren Rae Orsini sent me the link to Josh Sundquist’s blog post about Avatar and if it’s offensive to people with disabilities. After reading his [...]
February 7, 2010
6:24 pm
David,
Thanks for reading both the blog and the book!
February 8, 2010
1:07 pm
your family is awesome. I wish I had a family like that.
not that the story really had much to do with your family
February 8, 2010
9:05 pm
That was very inspirational, Josh!
February 16, 2010
10:48 pm
I’m sure lots of people have told you this for years, but you are truly inspiring. I have seen your youtube videos and I was absolutely ecstativ to finally see someone who could touch me deeply and really make it so I (I’m not disabled) could see what you were going through exactly! You put things into perspective for me. I guess what I’m saying is, thanks for being you!
February 19, 2010
9:40 am
Josh,
I am so very proud of you! I have passed your name and the title of your books on to several people in our area… their is a young man here facing cancer treatment and so lost within himself, uncertain of what the future holds for him.. I believe your story will help him put things in prospective. I hope you truly know how many times your talks and your story give people the courage to go on. I wish you well.
February 19, 2010
12:42 pm
Hi Josh,
Thank you for sharing your insight on Avatar but more so on the athletes who will be competing in the upcoming events in Vancouver. I find this part of the Olympic games so much more incredible in the human feats that are performed. The sheer courage and determination on the faces of all the olympic athletes is something to behold but even more so with the Paralympic Games.
February 19, 2010
12:45 pm
Like others here – I was deeply offended that a paraplegic was not cast in the role. WTF – do you mean to tell me that not one paraplegic actor in the entire world was available. That’s insulting as hell. Sort of like casting a white person with his face painted black in the role of a black person. Can you imagine the reaction to that?
February 19, 2010
12:50 pm
Well Said Josh. Thank you for your insight. And not to minimize handicaps, but I do think that we are all disabled in some way, even if it is only in the way we think. And I believe we all wish for abilities that we don’t have. Thanks for sharing your life with us.
February 19, 2010
12:55 pm
Woow! This was an amazing article! Thank you so much for sharing with us Josh! Your article was very well written. After you visited my school you have really inspired me to persue my dreams no matter what obsticals i may face. Again….THANX JOSH!!
February 19, 2010
4:13 pm
I really thought your blog was amazing! Thanks soo much for sharing your story and keeping me updated on what happens! It’s awesome how you can use something negative that went on in your life and making it positive and using it to your advantage. thanks again for sharing your story with me.
February 19, 2010
8:04 pm
Wow. I never thought of Avatar in that way, but what you said is one hundred percent true. Although I do not have a disability, your words are infact inspirational. Everytime I read something you wrote, I sit here and think, wow. I really do. I’ve been trying to get a hold of your book to read and have checked at the local bookstore (not being allowed to order anything online- parent’s orders) and have not been able to get one, just yet. But I definitely plan on reading it. I’m glad someone is willing to speak out, to the entire world, and be so inspirational through a simple message. For others, that would be really tough.
P.s. Congrats on the bestselling book!
February 20, 2010
2:11 pm
hey its me Melanie thnx 4 the positive email u rock email u soom wish me luck in my basketball tourney bye
February 22, 2010
5:00 pm
i think it is to some people
February 23, 2010
2:51 pm
josh…although i have never met you, have followed your career saw pictures from torino and hoope you had the chance to meet our family dr. who was head physican there he loves the games and goes all over are you going to be at the bnext paraolympics?? if so good luck
joyce
March 29, 2010
10:25 pm
yah I remember that part in ur book when u explained that story I thought it was realy stupid of the person lady thingy whatever to say that…….C-=
April 19, 2010
10:37 am
Can I get you to come to our school and speak to our kids. I have seen you live before at 4-H roundup, and you were amazing. you are really inspiring to me and i think that you would really help my school have a god time.
April 19, 2010
6:15 pm
Fill out a speaking request on the “contact” page of this website.