Norwalk board member questioned over Facebook meme

NORWALK — A Norwalk Schools board member is facing criticism after making a social media post that some believe mocked people with disabilities. Jeremy Norris posted a meme depicting the cartoon character Homer Simpson with the caption: "nO kInGs! Literally how everyone looks at you all," referring to recent protests conducted across the country and locally. Commenters on the post asserted that the character appeared to be mimicking a person with disabilities. The post circulated on social media where some users raised concerns about the content and about it being shared by an elected school official. In comments on the post, Norris defended his intent. "I didn't say they were r-----ed. I said they looked stupid," Norris wrote. His written comment contained a word considered a slur by many that is being censored by the newspaper. "Only liberals will turn it into something it's not." When asked by the Reflector, Norris said the post was directed at protesters, not people with disabilities. "I thought my comment was pretty clear and concise. The No Kings protestors look like idiots protesting a fairly elected president," Norris said. "In no way do I ever mention handicapped children." He said the image is widely used online and that criticism is misplaced. "It's a commonly used Homer Simpson meme used to show the idiotic nature of people," Norris said. "I think people are reaching for a story that's not there and should focus on things that really matter." According to a Norwalk Schools employee who asked that the Reflector not use their name for fear of retaliation, Norris is missing the point. "He is saying, 'They look stupid' and using an image of someone who has a disability as the example of what looking stupid is, at the very least, insensitive and offensive to many people who have differences," they said. "When kids see these memes shared and laugh, it becomes normal, and (educators) try to explain that that behavior could be offensive to others with differences." Local group reacts Speaking with the Reflector at the Norwalk-based Artists' Open Studio on Tuesday, members of the artist community who work with locals with disabilities gave their thoughts on Norris' comments. Summer Braddock, a Norwalk resident and board member of the Huron County Board of Developmental Disabilities, who has lived with a disability her entire life, said the image reflects a type of portrayal she has seen before. Braddock's disability presents visually similar to the posture depicted in the meme. She said reactions to that kind of content can vary, but it becomes more significant when it comes from someone in a leadership role. "I'm definitely more appalled by somebody who's an authority figure, especially working at a school that should be helping and encouraging and teaching children of all abilities," she said. Braddock said messages like that can influence how young people interact with others. "I think people, young kids, would see that and say, 'Oh yeah, this is funny,'" she said. "They probably do get a laugh with their buddies when they say things like that, and this makes it seem OK." She added that younger students may be more affected by how differences are portrayed. "Nobody wants to be labeled as different," she said. "Especially younger kids. They want to be seen as a person." Jackie Hug, program manager at Artists' Open Studio, a Norwalk nonprofit that works with artists with disabilities, said conversations and exposure can help address those perceptions. "I would invite Mr. Norris to come and speak with our artists and spend some time with them and try to understand why these memes can be hurtful," Hug said.