About what Dr. Goodman has said, I do agree that in relation to the number of films with African Americans, for example, as either primary or secondary roles, there are certainly less disabled characters. [though Norden's book lists more than 25] But the problem runs deeper than that. I think the questions to be asked are: 1) Are we talking "mainstream" films or disability productions like Storm REading, Vital Signs: Crip Culture Talks Back, for example. What are the differences there? 2) How mAny Mainstream films follow certain stereotypical stoylines-- the "Triumpth over tragedy [the disability is ALWAYS the tragedy here]" inspirational narrative, the embittered incurable worthy only or death [the kill me or cure me paradiagm], or the infantile/asexual ploy. In the face of such stereotypes, are disabled people only "living their lives" a good thing? As a narrative, probably, but how many of even those secondary characters [No Way Out, Gattaca] wind up being helpless prey/dying anyway? Is it better then, to not explain Keri Weaver's disability? Yes, and maybe no. My sense is to that even when you put a disability "up front" [like Waterdance, Forrest Gump] most don't know they're watching a "disability film" with Mask, and Miracle Worker, those tearjerker Movies of the Week being notable exceptions. People don't read disability till you point it out, and then they can't get past ableist thinking. "Oh my God, it really is Horrible" "If that happened to me, I'd kill myself." "If I were disabled Johnson, I don't know what I'd do." You might want to look at my "Paralyzed Vet on His Media Image" poem in The Ragged Edge, Jan/Feb. 1997 here. 3) I don't know where I stand here, but whAt too about nondisabled people playing disabled roles. Certainly we wouldn't asks "White" actors to play "Black" roles anymore? But many an actor has piggybacked a disabled role all the way to an Oscar nomination or an award. Anybody watching Port Charles? The disabled actor [in real life as well as reel life] is supposed to have a sex scene coming up, maybe?! Thoughts? --Johnson Johnson Cheu [log in to unmask] The Ohio State University*English Dept.*421 Denney Hall*164 W. 17th. Ave.* Columbus, OH 43210*(614) 292-1730 (O)*(614) 292-6065 (D)*(614) 292-7816 (Fax) ---- To sign off SCREEN-L, e-mail [log in to unmask] and put SIGNOFF SCREEN-L in the message. Problems? Contact [log in to unmask]