TikTok's "New Teacher Challenge" is currently targeting children, which may have a negative impact on the younger generations. The new online trend sparked comments from different disability speakers.
Melissa Blake, a disability activist, and a freelance writer shared her thoughts regarding the viral video.
"Oh, look," I deadpan as I read the latest message from someone letting me know that they saw my photo on TikTok being shared in a hurtful way," she said.
"As a disabled woman, people ridiculing and mocking my appearance is practically the most predictable thing about social media," she added.
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Melissa was born with a Freeman-Sheldon, a muscular and genetic bone disorder. She said she received negative comments because of her appearance, with some people calling her "disgusting" and even comparing her to a "blobfish."
The freelance writer said that she thought she had seen it all. However, Melissa discovered that TikTok's new viral challenge is also mocking disabled or unique people. It is a prank in which parents show their kids photos of disabled people, fooling their children that they will be the new teachers.
The kids' reactions were filmed just for a laugh, showing how the youngsters were frightened and embarrassed.
Other motivational speakers also voiced out their concerns
Lizzie Velasquez, another disabled motivational speaker, also voiced her concern regarding TikTok's trending challenge. She posted her reaction about a mom's video, who filmed her son's terrified reaction when he saw Velasquez's photo.
She called out Tiktok, explaining that people should not teach their children to be scared of someone who is disabled or somebody who doesn't look like them. Velasquez pointed out that teaching empathy and being kind to other people should start from people's homes.
On the other hand, Melissa Blake said that the new prank revealed how disability representation is essential, especially to the younger generation since there 612 million disabled adults currently living in the United States. She also explained that it is crucial to normalize seeing people who are don't look like you or your family members or friends.
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Written by: Giuliano de Leon.