Stephen Hawking died on Wednesday at age 76 and many celebrities paid tribute to the controversial scientist.
I feel lucky to have known Stephen Hawking. His work is an inspiring reminder of what human minds are capable of.
— Bill Gates (@BillGates) March 14, 2018
When a brilliant scientific mind like Stephen Hawking also happens to be a great popularizer of science, it’s a gift to the world. Here’s hoping there are more like him waiting to be known.
— Seth MacFarlane (@SethMacFarlane) March 14, 2018
But some people didn’t take too kindly to Gal Gadot’s tribute to Stephen Hawking because, as we well know by now, everything you say in 2018 is sure to be taken out of context.
“Rest in peace Dr. Hawking,” Gadot wrote on Twitter. “Now you’re free of any physical constraints.. Your brilliance and wisdom will be cherished forever.”
Rest in peace Dr. Hawking. Now you’re free of any physical constraints.. Your brilliance and wisdom will be cherished forever pic.twitter.com/EQzSxqNTuN
— Gal Gadot (@GalGadot) March 14, 2018
Somehow, people read her tweet as ableist and dragged her through the mud for it.
I think you’re fantastic Gal but this tweet is very ableist. His physical constraints didn’t stop him from changing the world. People with disabilities don’t wish for death to be free of their challenges. We wish to be valued for what we CAN do, not pitied for we can’t.
— Adam B. Zimmerman (@ABZimm) March 14, 2018
That sentiment affects me personally, it affects all people with disabilities because it impacts how we are perceived. The unemployment rate for people with disabilities is 70-80% and the idea that disabilities are scary things to be “freed” from is a big reason why.
— Adam B. Zimmerman (@ABZimm) March 14, 2018
Gal I am chronically ill. Can’t shower or even get myself out of bed. Lost 18 years thus far. But I ran a charity funding research for my illness #ME and advocate for Change. All from my bed. Is my life not important? Disablement is not shameful, bigotry is. Watch @unrestfilm pls
— amara campbell (@amaracampbell) March 14, 2018
especially since almost no one would look at a healthy teen who died in a car crash & say “they’re free from physical restraints.” “in a better place,” sure. the other is only used when someone is old, sick, &/or disabled. (which, as you pointed out, aren’t even the same thing.)
— swarovski rose. (@clemfairie) March 15, 2018
Thank you “Wonder Woman” for that completely ableist comment. Being disabled is not a restraint, he is one of the greatest minds in the world AND he was disabled. It did not RESTRAIN him. So disappointed people think this way.
— Aimée Talbot (@Bunnyaimee) March 15, 2018
Some people went even farther and made comments about Hawking’s controversial viewpoint on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
He was already free
Like Palestine was and will be
And he was wise enough to boycott your illegal country and support bds movement
Such a great man for sure— Halima (@halibaba_) March 15, 2018
The whole argument is stupid. Stephen Hawking was physically disabled. There’s no denying that. We’ve somehow arrived at a point in time where stating a fact is viewed as insulting and insensitive. It happens with race, it happens with gender, and it’s happening with physical disability now too.
Gal Gadot is one of the least controversial and most respectable women in entertainment. And she shouldn’t concern herself with the opinion of internet trolls.
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