Theodore BrauFeb 15, 2023
Steven Aquino (he/him)

I wrote an op-ed for TechCrunch (it's been a while since my byline showed up there) about MrBeast's "let's cure blindness" video and how it's decidedly more ableist and altruistic.

My friends and peers in tech media may appreciate accessibility, and I think "accessibility is for everyone" gets overused without fully understand what a11y truly is, but society writ large could give two shits about disabled people like me. Hence, the desire to "cure" us.

https://techcrunch.com/2023/02/10/mrbeasts-blindness-video-puts-systemic-ableism-on-display/

TechCrunch is part of the Yahoo family of brands

Feb 10, 2023 at 9:25pmWeb
Show threadFelipe (fcy) CyprianoFeb 10, 2023

@steven_aquino Excellent article! I love, love the message.

My first reaction reading the toot and being unaware of the video was incredulity that he made that video but it quickly passed away, his type only cares about themselves and receiving praises. I can only hope at least one of his followers read and understand your message.

Show threadTimothy WynnFeb 11, 2023
IMHO, I watched the video, and as a blind person, I found it not that bad. Sure, "cure" was probably the wrong word to use, and "restore" would have been a better one. At the same time though, the people who took this creator up on his offer to pay for this expensive surgery may not otherwise have had the means to do so. I also don't play the what-ifs game, and I don't believe my blindness is integral to my core identity to get offended over the word "cure" or the views expressed.
Show threadAnnika BackstromFeb 13, 2023
@steven_aquino small typo: the article says "more ableist than altruistic" but this toot says "more ableist and altruistic"