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The Traitors, Body Language and Disability

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BBCs the traitors

Adapted from the Dutch programme De Verraders, which first aired in 2021, The Traitors capitalises on the uncertainty of our age

The BBC’s new game show, The Traitors, casts members of the public in the role of Witchfinder General, but before exposing the trio of traitors, the show first exposes the unconscious biases that inform the pop culture understanding of the liar’s ‘tell.’ 

Adapted from the Dutch programme De Verraders, which first aired in 2021, The Traitors capitalises on the uncertainty of our age. It draws on the popularity of social deduction games like Among Us, which became ubiquitous over lockdown, or perennial childhood classics like Werewolf or Wink Murder.

It is, of course, inherently thrilling to have a licence to break the social contract, and vastly entertaining for an audience to revel in the dramatic irony of players vouching for the scrupulous honesty of someone we know is lying through their teeth. The same device is frequently employed by Shakespeare; when Iago turns to the audience and asks: ‘And what’s he then that says I play the villain?’, we feel the same malicious twist of pleasure as watching Alyssa, a 21-year-old business student, smirk into a camera after convincing her compatriots to suspect anyone but her.  However, enjoyable though it may be, The Traitors inadvertently showcases the fatal flaw in trying to ‘read’ strangers for signs of duplicity.  

The show’s format requires a vote to be cast every episode to exile a traitor. But, because the team challenges are genuinely cooperative regardless of traitor status, the only deductive reasoning in play comes from downtime conversations and, crucially, analysis of body language. The usual ‘tells’ – being fidgety, not making eye contact, being either too boisterous or too reserved – are all brought up in The Traitors, but it is not recognised that these can also be caused by nerves from being on camera, or that they are common symptoms of neurodivergence.

It is astonishing how frequently disability is painted as untrustworthiness in this programme. Nicky, the first contestant to be voted out, is accused of treachery because she didn’t raise her glass in a toast. She didn’t raise the glass in question because it was to her right, and her right hand has been amputated. An episode later, Aaron is put under suspicion for asking a lot of questions and is not believed when he explains that this is a trait of his ADHD. 

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BBC's the traitors

© The BBC

This unintentional ableism is upsetting in a light entertainment show but becomes much more of a problem when we realise that these same ‘deduction techniques’ can have many further-reaching consequences. For example, the massive popularity of True Crime has led to swathes of armchair detectives consuming the lives of others as entertainment. In 2021, Robert McCoy went viral on Tik Tok when a 19-second clip of him reacting to a surprise visit from his girlfriend was dissected by more than 60 million people, many of whom concluded that his body language in the clip proved that he was cheating on her. Writing for Slate, McCoy described ‘a [Tik Tok] user base increasingly hungry for content to analyze forensically.’

Major news organisations also use body language analysis on celebrities, most notably Megan Markle and Amber Heard, which claims to offer empirical proof to back spurious claims of deceitfulness; often, this is used to ‘justify’ racist and misogynist sentiment, and to demonise mental illness by armchair diagnosing personality disorders. 

Of course, the most egregious misuse of body language analysis is not in the court of public opinion but within the legal system itself. Communications researcher Vincent Denault points out that, despite being described as inaccurate and pseudoscientific by many researchers, body language analysis is still used as evidence in criminal cases.

In keeping with The Traitors’ witch hunt aesthetic, Denault compares this to a trial by ordeal: testing the character of the accused, rather than the evidence. Additionally, police officers (particularly in the USA) are trained to use body language analysis to identify suspects, which plays into pre-existing biases and effectively criminalises divergent bodies and behaviours, with sometimes fatal consequences – according to Time Magazine, it is likely that between a third and a half of Americans killed by police have disabilities.

Everyone likes to think that they can spot a liar, but when the pressure is on and evidence gives way to assumption, disabled people suffer from the abled gaze’s lack of trust.

 

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Entertainment

Breaking Barriers: Inspiring Leadership from Physically Disabled CEOs

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In the realm of corporate leadership, a group of remarkable individuals is not just making waves but breaking down barriers—CEOs who, despite facing physical challenges, have risen to the top echelons of their respective industries. Their stories of resilience, determination, and success serve as beacons of inspiration. Let’s delve into the lives and achievements of the top five physically disabled CEOs who are transforming perceptions and paving the way for a more inclusive future.

Satya Nadella – Microsoft:

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella

Satya Nadella, the CEO of Microsoft, stands as a testament to the power of inclusive leadership. Though not physically disabled himself, Nadella’s commitment to accessibility and empathy in technology has been shaped by his son Zain, who has cerebral palsy. Under Nadella’s leadership, Microsoft has prioritized accessibility initiatives, creating technology that caters to individuals with diverse abilities.

Jen Easterly – Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA):

Jen Easterly, Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) in the United States, has had a distinguished career in cybersecurity and counterterrorism. Easterly’s achievements highlight the importance of diverse perspectives in critical fields. Despite facing physical challenges, she has risen to lead a key agency responsible for securing the nation’s critical infrastructure.

Alexandra Reeve Givens – Center for Democracy & Technology:

Alexandra Reeve Givens, President and CEO of the Center for Democracy & Technology, has combined her legal expertise with a commitment to technology policy. Daughter of the late Christopher Reeve, she carries on his legacy of resilience. Givens advocates for digital rights and is a prominent voice in discussions surrounding privacy, online freedom, and disability rights.

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John Kemp – The Viscardi Center:

John Kemp, President and CEO of The Viscardi Center, has dedicated his career to empowering people with disabilities. As a person with a disability himself, Kemp’s leadership has played a pivotal role in advancing disability rights and accessibility. His work at The Viscardi Center focuses on education, employment, and empowerment for individuals with disabilities.

Caroline Casey – The Valuable 500:

Caroline Casey, though not a CEO in a traditional sense, is the founder of The Valuable 500, a global initiative advocating for disability inclusion in business. Casey, who is visually impaired, has been a driving force behind major corporations committing to making their workplaces more inclusive. Her work emphasizes the business case for diversity, challenging companies to prioritize disability inclusion at the highest levels.

The journeys of these physically disabled CEOs highlight that leadership knows no physical bounds. Their stories inspire us to reevaluate preconceptions and recognize the value of diversity in leadership

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Ade Adepitan, a Black BBC presenter and disability inclusion advocate, is breaking barriers.

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Ade Adepitan

In the world of television broadcasting, Ade Adepitan stands out not just for his charming personality, but also for his incredible journey as a black and disabled BBC presenter. Adepitan’s narrative is one of perseverance, breaking down barriers, and becoming a strong advocate for disability inclusion in the media. 

Ade began his athletic career at an early age, motivated by a love of wheelchair basketball. His talent in the sport inspired him to join the Great Britain wheelchair basketball team, which competed in the Paralympic Games in 2004. His passion and accomplishments on the court established the groundwork for a tremendous career that would span other sports.

Ade Adepitan

Adepitan’s journey into broadcasting began as a sports presenter, covering major events such as the Paralympic Games and the Invictus Games. His eloquence, passion, and depth of insight quickly caught the attention of the BBC, leading to his role as a prominent broadcaster and documentary maker.

Ade Adepitan’s impact at the BBC is both profound and trailblazing. As a black presenter with a disability, he brings a unique perspective to the screen, challenging stereotypes and reshaping narratives. Adepitan’s warmth and authenticity have made him a beloved figure among audiences, transcending barriers of race and ability.

Besides his on-screen talents, Adepitan is a strong champion for disability rights and inclusivity. He uses his platform to raise awareness about the issues that disabled people experience, as well as to advocate for more media representation. Adepitan’s lobbying includes efforts targeted at increasing opportunities for disabled people in the entertainment sector.

Ade Adepitan’s experience as a black, disabled BBC presenter acts as an inspiration for aspiring broadcasters and anyone confronting physical problems. His accomplishments emphasise the necessity of diversity in media representation and add to the continuing conversation regarding inclusivity in the entertainment business.

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In conclusion, Ade Adepitan’s tale demonstrates the power of determination, tenacity, and honesty.

Download the P+US app now for the latest updates.

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Listen to Dis’: Disability-Led Arts Organisation

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Listen to Dis

Listen to Dis’ are the inclusivity-focused, disability-led arts organisation championing disability culture through art and performance

Listen to Dis’ is a registered non-profit community arts organisation that champions disability culture through the medium of inclusive art and performance. Their work manifests in many forms including workshops, artist series and theatrical touring, and everything has an underlying message to support and empower the global disabled community. 

Here we highlight how Listen to Dis’ is bringing this message to life: 

Listen to Dis’ VOICE

Listen to Dis’ VOICE is a weekly open-access program where artists join forces to learn, create, explore, and connect. The focus topic changes each week yet is always in keeping with the Listen to Dis’ core message of advocating for the disabled community. Through this profound program, Listen to Dis’ has created some truly important work surrounding ableist ways disabled bodies and minds are viewed. 

Listen to Dis

Listen to Dis

The Other Ordinary

The Other Ordinary is Listen to Dis’ touring crip theatre company. Launched out of a class at the University of Regina named Devising Inclusive Theatre, and directed by Listen to Dis’ founder and artistic director Traci Foster. Dubbed TOO, it fosters the talents of emerging professional artists that produce tour shows with a focus on how it feels to live and work as disabled people. 

Take their first show, ‘Neither Heroes nor Ordinary People,’ as a prime example, which uncovers the realities of living with disabilities through music, monologue, dance, beatbox, and singing. Their second show, Mine to Have, is about sexuality, sensuality, disability, and 

the political right to live in one’s body. 

Listen to Dis

Listen to Dis

Visiting Artist Series

LTD’s visiting artist series connects disabled artists with the wider arts ecology by inviting artists, both disabled and not, to host workshops that explore disability art. Inviting artists from outside the LTD’s group enables LTD’s network to expand but also ignites deeper learning on both parts of the essence of disability culture and mindset. 

LTD’s is amplifying the voices of the disabled community through a variety of mediums that all celebrate art, performance and culture. Follow their journey on their Instagram here

Through facilitated dialogue and inclusive art practice and performance, we weave new realities for our members and for the broader community – shifting the way people perceive disability and creating an understanding of and appreciation for crip art, mad art, and disability culture.

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