Intersectionality x Representation
Image Description: Modelling digitals of Kae. Left: close up, Right: full body.
Growing up, I never thought I could be a model; I wasn’t tall, had body hair, got teased for being Asian (or not Asian enough), and later became disabled. All of this really affected my self-esteem and identity; experiencing racism and the early onset of MD shaped me tremendously. I didn’t want to be perceived and I didn’t want to meet new people. Admittedly, I’m still like this sometimes.
I spent the majority of my life not understanding those were interconnected until recent years but I am who I am and none of the barriers and hardships I endured was inherently my fault or flaw—it’s society’s perception and mistreatment of others that are taught through media and culture. I’m guilty of this too because I saw myself in a negative light.
We can’t escape our bodies but we can make peace with them. I intentionally take photos with my cane now, and I’m signed with an agency that truly believes in diversity and inclusion. The courage to step in front of the lens goes beyond taking a pretty photo; it’s about showing up unapologetically as yourself in a vulnerable way so the world can hear our stories and recognize marginalized communities as real people. Thank you to my wonderful agency BNM Models for believing in me. #RepresentationMatters
Image Description: A collage image featuring cut-out images of Triple Cripples, Alice Wong, Frida Kahlo, Harriet Tubman, and Judy Heumann, Also included is an image of a disability rights protest. The banner the protesters are holding up says “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere - Martin Luther King Jr.” Written in the middle of the image in yellow text it says “living a disabled life without shame is a radical act.”, designed by @youlookokaytome.
Image Description: Screenshot of a tweet by Gregory Mansfield on a solid black background, it says “Telling a disabled person that you don’t see their disability is not the compliment you think it is. The unwillingness to see disability is a devaluation of disability”.