Captions in theaters and inclusive perinatal language (SBLTN Lab Notes 025)
Captioned movies in theaters, supportive and affirming language in healthcare, and painting with music
IN THE MARGINS
Yes, it’s Black History Month in the United States. No, I won’t share resources or shout-outs of amazing Black creators and leaders. Find it yourself. What I WILL tell you to do is take that performative, once-a-year bullshit and do better. Don’t just wait for February to fight for true access, equity, and respect for Black people. During the rest of the year, look at where you spend your money, the people in your circles, the collaborators you work with, the policies you’re supporting, etc. Black people are given the shortest month of the year for recognition, a little biz boost while white guilt fuels purchases, and corporations ask for MORE free emotional labor or token appearances - and I’m not here for it. So, do the work. The real, hard, on-going work. Happy Black History Month! ✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿 #ImBlackityBlackBlackBlack
ACCESSIBILITY
Little Words on the Big Screen
We’re continuing our chat about accessibility in entertainment media. Last week was podcasts so we’re jumping from audio to visual: movies!
Seeing a movie in a theater is hit or miss for me as a Hard of Hearing person. If it’s an action movie or something I think will be mostly loud, I’m more inclined to go. If I was unsure, I’d try to go with a close friend that I know wouldn’t be annoyed if I asked several times “what did they say?”. Some theaters offer devices that you clip to the cup holder of the seat which have a little screen with captions on them. But the few times I’ve tried to use them, it was less than fun because the theater…
Workers didn’t even know what I was referring to
Didn’t have any devices
Had devices but they were broke
Had a device but it only lasted half the movie before there was an error
Then there’s the hassle of advocating for yourself to even get the device or getting a refund if it stopped working. I would sometimes go alone during slow times because I was embarrassed of using a captioning device.
So what’s a better option than those clunky, outdated devices? Open captioning! Open captions can’t be turned off (they are “burned” into the film) while closed captions can be turned off/on.
In October 2021, AMC, the world’s largest movie chain, said they were rolling out open captions to roughly 40 percent of the company’s U.S. theaters. The company said film-goers will be able to find locations and showtimes on its app and website, and that availability could be adjusted based on audience demand and guest feedback.
People who are d/Deaf or HoH would benefit from captions at theaters but so would neurodivergent people, the elderly, those learning a new language, and people with auditory processing struggles. So if you are hitting the big screen, try to pick a showing that has captions so that big companies see the demand and will implement it more widely!
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
Inclusive Language for Perinatal Period
After reading Wittgenstein’s writings on language in a philosophy class, my brain definitely short-circuited but that inquiry into words stuck with me. My logical side always wants clarity between diction, pragmatics, and semantics. My head-in-the-clouds artsy side plays fast and loose with language, leaning toward poetics and impact.
Between both of those sides and shifts in terminology Western society uses, I’m constantly reevaluating my language - especially when it comes to marginalized and underrepresented groups. (Even the term “underrepresented” is under review in DEI* spaces and it’s suggested “misrepresented” is better…).
While I’ve long adjusted to swapping words like “parent” or “care-taker” for “mother” or “father”, I hadn’t thought about the biological side of becoming a parent in respect to gender identity. A post from Moss Froom, a Trans & queer centered full spectrum doula & childbirth educator, got me to thinking. They suggest language that is gender-open or non-assumptive that we can use when talking about people in the perinatal period. For example: pregnant person or people who need abortions. Having more supportive and affirming language, especially in the medical field that is quite dated, if you ask me, could be crucial to someone’s health and quality of care.
🎤 SHARE: In what ways have you been reexamining your language to be more inclusive?
*DEI: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
ART & DESIGN
Paint With Music
Google Arts and Culture has a fun way to bring visuals to auditory life. In “Paint With Music”, you can choose a relaxing scene and a few instruments, then draw lines with your mouse to compose. Turn on the guides for notes to get even more nitty gritty with your jam.
Signing off from the Starship SBLTN,
Laneen (Pronouns: she/they)
🎧 Listening: “Good Morning Gorgeous” by Mary J. Blige
📖 Reading: The Green Fix
“You don’t need to be a climate expert - you just need to care.” - Cass Hebron
With all the doom and gloom around climate change, I’ve been feeling overwhelmed. I know we can’t ~personal responsibility~ our way out of this, but managing to do what I can, how I can is where I’m starting for now. There have been 2 newsletters in particular that have helped me cope. I’ll share one this week and the other next week!
The Green Fix is a twice-per-month sustainability newsletter for people who want to do more to help the planet but don't know where to start.
What drew me in was at the end they give ways for you to learn more, take small action, or take big systemic action. Busy or bombarded with conflicting info? Well, each issue focuses on just one thing then breaks down what’s happening, why action is needed, and offers practical resources for you to help.
Balancing mental health and activism can be tricky so remember, to take care of the planet you have to take care of yourself first.