At the Democratic National Convention, 17-year-old Gus Walz, who has nonverbal learning disorder (NVLD), pointed and tearfully exclaimed, "That's my dad." His emotional display sparked a multitude of reactions: Some found it inappropriate, others saw it as inspirational, and some excused it because of his disability. But what does this moment say about societal expectations around emotion expression and disability?
Gus, I'm in deep admiration of your authenticity. Expressing your emotions was not just a personal moment; it was a powerful statement for all of us in the disability community: We should have the right to express our emotions without fear of judgment or pity.
However, this natural and authentic expression of pride and joy was viewed through a biased lens because of disability. Implicit bias [1]- unconscious attitudes-shapes how we interpret behaviors like his. Many don't realize they're being judgmental, but their discomfort with emotional display reveals a bias about what is "normal."
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