Adam Pearson – who has neurofibromatosis type 1 – is on a mission to explore disability hate crime: to find out why it goes under-reported, under-recorded and under people’s radar.
Adam Pearson is on a mission to explore disability hate crime – to find out why it goes under-reported, under-recorded and under people’s radar. In this documentary, Adam challenges people into questioning their attitudes towards disability and disfigurement, to uncover the roots of the issue.
Adam has neurofibromatosis type 1, a condition that causes benign tumours to grow on nerve endings – in his case, on his face. He is disfigured and disabled and has experienced disability hate crime first-hand, like a number of his friends, some of whom he meets with in the film. Their stories may differ, but their disability as the motivating factor is constant.
Just days into his investigation, Adam becomes the target of some grossly offensive online hate speech. While this isn’t unusual for him, for the first time Adam decides to take action, reporting it to the police – with some unexpected outcomes.
Undeterred, he looks to understand the laws specific to disability hate crime, and finds that a mixture of ignorance and inequalities mean that these crimes often don’t make it to our courts, or are sentenced less severely than other hate crimes when they do.
Adam looks to uncover what attitudes and influences may be causing people to commit disability hate crime in the first place, questioning whether the portrayal of disfigurement and disability in the media, for example, could be leading us to associate them with being ‘the bad guys’.
With help from Miles Hewstone, professor of social psychology at the University of Oxford, Adam conducts an experiment measuring peoples’ innate prejudice towards disfigurement that gives some shocking results, and leads him to question if he alone can hope to affect a change – and if so, how?
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There's no greater crime in the eyes of the public than being deformed/disfigured.
they are so great and i hope they know everyone respects them!
So there attacking the most vulnerable in society and British police aren’t doing anything that’s messed up
reincarnation is messed up
Yes sir you write about the USA premeditated GE electric murders and thiefs
i took this test and scored 7% I was surprised as in my country we are more superficial and ableist than U.K Maybe it has to do with first exposure as well in the unconscious biases. When was the first time a person in childhood encountered another person with a disfigurement and under which circumstances? On tv ? On a public place ? On a friendly gathering? How did the parent reacted? etc I remember when i was little ( i was 7 or 8 )my mother was looking for private teachers for extra history lessons to help me with homework because she couldn't. She booked some appointments and many teachers came one by one until we found the right fit. I remember a teacher very vividly she was wearing a bright red lipsticks had black glasses and auburn waivy hair in beautiful locks .I couldn't help but staring at her because i was captured by her face and i thought she looked very beautiful. I had no idea what disfigurement was, i didnt know that she had a disfigurement and i didnt know that i was supposed to dislike it .I liked her face .Anyway when she left my mother told me "Oh i was shocked when she came im so happy she left"
I asked her why and she said " Didn't you see her? Her face had burn marks all over .She was disfigured " I didnt say anything but it was one of those early times where i was realizing that i dont belong with my family. She was repulsed by this womans face and her face was what i liked the most .I even remember her clothes. Were i could see beauty it wasnt appreciated by my family.
I remember seeing Adam in Croydon. He was speaking to someone and having a laugh. He seemed really nice.
That wouldn’t fly in America. We’d find these people doing the hate crime!
Its nice to see this guy has a somewhat normal life and career I remember seeing Under The Skin and feeling so bad for this guy, thinking, she's not gonna kill , (spoiler) eat him? Probably has a misreable life to begin with? His first film is so dark and dreary and he really was good in it considering until now I haven't seen Pearson in real life. I remember having so much sympathy for him in the movie and he seemed so depressed! So amazing in real life he is very good natured and I hope, not in pain, excessive at least. His attitude and personality reminds me alot of Rocky Dennis who had a similar conditon in the 70s. But did not live past his teen years unfortunately. was portrayed by Eric Stoltz. I'm sure it's hard seeing someone like Adam for the first time and psychologically trying to get around his appearance. But his personality and intelligence mostm close to him or who get to know him, forget his condition right away. His upcoming film with Sebastian Stan looks very interesting. I think I might check that out. But this is disgusting. I know immigration, especilaly over there in the UK is argumentative to say the least and as far as hate crimes go it can be a two way issue. I feel people should be protected of various walks of life and differences! Certainly a great dude like Adam should be attacked out of nowhere. But if I could meet Adam I would tell him this subject is very interesting and definitely worth documenting in a show/film! But As far as hate speech goes I don't think even the idiot who made that incredibly vile remark againtst Pearson should be shook off! If that ignorant bastrd who probably has no concept of the incredible human being Adam is. If the SOB followed up that stupid statement with threats then I think he should be charged for a hate crime. Defenitely go to jail if Pearson or his family/friends was threatened.
I'm sorry.Human beings are set on making any one different suffer.Live your Best life❤
Bless his soul
Love the attitude, I’m in a wheelchair, L3 paraplegic, just wish we could be treated as normal people 👍
0:38 RADIOHEAD MENTIONED RAHHHHHHHHH
I really enjoyed watching this! Thank you, Adam! 🙏🏼
I saw you on the the movie, Under the Skin! I'm an American with a disability and we have our own issues but I appreciate your video! Keep up the good work!
We call it "ableism" in the US.
And Adam you being on here is going to make a great difference 👏
Ignorant people need to be educated
I am so grateful to have come across this amazing documentary… My Uncle was in a wheelchair since birth , I was blessed to have him in my life Today to hear and understand we are not that far as we should be with the disability hate crime act …. Shameful that You tube will take down a video that says the word “R*pe” but not to outraged for what was written and do something about it.
I'm glad this problem is being called out publicly. It's unfortunately happening everywhere. Laws in that country need to change.
You're awesome Adam! I'm a disabled actor myself and I'd love to work with you!
So unbelievable how cruel humans can be😭
Kinder haben angst wenn die das sehen
Leontiasis gives me problems of not being taken seriously about my pleadings considering that I am a dialysis patient which exacerbates the issue on how low other people think about me particularly those that happen to be the ones that should help me medically..