The Pretty One: On Life, Pop Culture, Disability, and Other Reasons to Fall in Love with MeFrom the disability rights advocate and creator of the #DisabledAndCute viral campaign, a thoughtful, inspiring, and charming collection of essays exploring what it means to be black and disabled in a mostly able-bodied white America. Keah Brown loves herself, but that hadn’t always been the case. Born with cerebral palsy, her greatest desire used to be normalcy and refuge from the steady stream of self-hate society strengthened inside her. But after years of introspection and reaching out to others in her community, she has reclaimed herself and changed her perspective. In The Pretty One, Brown gives a contemporary and relatable voice to the disabled—so often portrayed as mute, weak, or isolated. With clear, fresh, and light-hearted prose, these essays explore everything from her relationship with her able-bodied identical twin (called “the pretty one” by friends) to navigating romance; her deep affinity for all things pop culture—and her disappointment with the media’s distorted view of disability; and her declaration of self-love with the viral hashtag #DisabledAndCute. By “smashing stigmas, empowering her community, and celebrating herself” (Teen Vogue), Brown and The Pretty One aims to expand the conversation about disability and inspire self-love for people of all backgrounds. |
Contents
INTRODUCTION | 1 |
LOVE YOU MEAN IT | 32 |
IS THIS THING ON? | 51 |
A SOMETIMES UNREQUITED LOVE STORY | 70 |
YOU CANT CURE ME I PROMISE ITS FINE | 90 |
FREEDOM OF A PONYTAIL | 110 |
THE PRETTY ONE | 127 |
AN ODE TO THE BOYS | 147 |
THE HUMAN IPOD | 168 |
CRY BABY CRY | 185 |
TO SEE AND BE SEEN | 203 |
LIKE ME NOW TOO | 222 |
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS | 241 |
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Common terms and phrases
ability able-bodied ableism album Ashley beautiful Becoming Jane believe best friend better Beyoncé black disabled black woman boys celebrate cerebral palsy chairs characters clothes color comfort crying culture cure cute Demi Lovato deserve despite didn’t disability community disabled body disabled woman dream emotions Facebook favorite feel felt fight forever friendship funny girl grandmother hair happy hashtag hate high school hope hurt hypersexualization idea infomercials Keah keep Kerry Washington kids knew laugh Leah live look magic mother never night ourselves pain Paramore person platonic love ponytail remember representation Rihanna romantic comedies romantic love sadness Shania Twain sister someone songs spent stories talk tears Teen Vogue tell things thought Toni Braxton truth trying understand walk watching women words worth write YouTube