Disability Culture: Open Mic by Triana Mayers

What did you do, see or hear?

tbmayers1 — 2025-09-05 04:58:08 UTC

I had the chance to experience the Open Mic Night that supports individuals with Disabilities. At the open mic event, I saw and heard a lively, joyful community of individuals expressing themselves through music, dance, and conversation. Individuals who look just like you and me! Diversity was at an all time high and I saw many different people who were of different nationalities, creeds, races, etc. People were singing, dancing, and enjoying good food together, creating an atmosphere of celebration and inclusion. I heard laughter, friendly greetings, and supportive interactions among participants. I sat down next to some very friendly people. You would have thought we had been friends for years. Not only did I talk to them, but I laughed and danced with them as well! They were very welcoming and accepting of whoever walked through the door! One person by the name of Cherlnell Lane approached me to talk about her business, sharing her business card and explaining her work. Overall, the event was filled with good energy, fun, and connection, showing that everyone was fully engaged and enjoying themselves just like at any social gathering.

Provide specific details about what was happening in the context, what people were doing and communicating, what you were thinking and feeling, and what you were doing.

tbmayers1 — 2025-09-05 05:22:21 UTC

When I walked into the open mic event, the energy hit me immediately. People were singing, dancing, reciting poems, and playing instruments, fully expressing themselves and advocating for who they are. I couldn’t help but join in, dancing, clapping, and even singing along with them. Some participants’ disabilities were visible, others not, but it didn’t matter at all because everyone was friendly, welcoming, and completely comfortable in their own skin. The room was packed with people from all different backgrounds, sharing laughs, smiles, and good vibes. Even though it was as hot as ever in the basement, that didn’t stop anyone. Everyone moved, danced, and celebrated life with such joy that you couldn’t help but feel included. I watched as each performer had someone signing along and a screen with large letters to make sure everyone could enjoy the show. Seeing them confidently express themselves made me feel inspired and happy, and I found myself thinking about how society often underestimates the creativity, strength, and agency of people with disabilities. Being there reminded me that these individuals are just as vibrant, talented, and full of life as anyone else, and they made me feel lucky to be part of that space for even a little while.

Your interpretation and analysis will entail making explicit connections between "Frameworks and Perspectives" you learned about in this course and should include explicit connections to 2 or 3 of the following frameworks: Epistemology, Models of Disability, Disability History, Disability Culture, Intersectionality, Advocacy, Collaboration, etc.

tbmayers1 — 2025-09-05 05:50:26 UTC

This open mic event provided a firsthand look at disability culture in action. Participants confidently expressed themselves through song, dance, poetry, and music, demonstrating the pride and community central to disability culture. From the perspective of the Models of Disability, this event highlighted the social model, where barriers to participation were minimized through sign language interpreters and large-print screens. This shows society’s accommodations and does not point out individual differences, which enabled full engagement. This event also reflected Advocacy, as many performers used their art to share their voices, perspectives, and personal stories, advocating for recognition, inclusion, and self-expression. When thinking about Intersectionality, it was powerful to see individuals from different backgrounds, races, genders, and abilities coming together, enjoying each other’s company, and supporting one another. This demonstrates how multiple aspects of identity intersect in lived experiences of disability. When reflecting on Disability History, I couldn’t imagine a time when people like these would have been locked away, silenced, or stripped of agency and basic rights. This event highlighted how far society has come in recognizing the equality, value, and humanity of people with disabilities, and how celebrating culture, providing access, and embracing advocacy can continue to transform inclusion.

Explain how engaging in this action will impact you as a teacher.

tbmayers1 — 2025-09-05 05:56:27 UTC

Being part of this open mic event gave me a whole new perspective on what it means to truly celebrate and include students with disabilities. Watching people confidently dance, sing, play instruments, and share their stories reminded me that every student brings something unique to the classroom, whether it is talent, personality, or voice; they deserve to be seen and heard. I thought about how empowering it must feel to be in a space where differences are embraced and barriers are minimized. This made me realize how important it is to create this kind of environment in my own teaching. Seeing the performers support one another, connect across diverse backgrounds, and advocate for themselves inspired me to think about ways I can foster community, accessibility, and self-expression in my classroom. I left feeling energized and determined to make my teaching a place where every student feels confident, valued, and capable of shining in their own way.

tbmayers1 — 2025-09-06 03:41:49 UTC

During the Open Mic Event, I had the pleasure of meeting a young lady by the name of Cherlnell Lane. Cherlnell calls herself the Poetic Storyteller. She did a lovely poem that told her story, called Purple Haze. She makes her audience feel her through her words. Cherlnell really puts us in her shoes as a black woman who is experiencing challenges firsthand through mobility and disease. She emphasizes through Purple Haze how her challenges affect her mentally, physically, and sometimes emotionally. She expressed to us how she strives to live and move on despite her daily pains and sickness. This shows strength and resilience at its finest. After she told her story, she was embraced and praised by the crowd for expressing her life and feelings through her powerful words. Surprisingly, after she shared her poem, she approached me and gave me one of her business cards. Of course, I congratulated her, and of course, our conversation began from there. We talked for five minutes, discussing her business and how she advocates for individuals with disabilities through writing, poetry, workshops, and open mics. Cherlnell is determined to spread awareness about individuals with disabilities while helping them embrace their true selves through other arts such as poetry, dance, song, etc. Cherlnell has helped me to see the importance of advocating for and embracing the true identities of individuals with disabilities. Meeting her reminded me how powerful personal stories can be in breaking down stereotypes and opening hearts. Her courage and determination left me inspired to carry that spirit of advocacy into teaching and my daily life.

Conclusion

tbmayers1 — 2025-09-06 03:57:31 UTC

In conclusion, attending this open mic gave me a powerful glimpse into the richness of disability and creating spaces where all feel valued and included. I saw individuals embracing their identities and breaking barriers through laughter, dancing, singing, and powerful advocacy that was expressed through poetry and performance. Everything about open mic night was phenomenal and very inspiring. This experience deepened my understanding of intersectionality, advocacy, accessibility, and the progress society has made in disability history while also reminding me of the work that still needs to be done. As a teacher, I am committed to building classrooms that celebrate every student's voice, foster inclusion, and encourage all learners to shine in their own unique ways.

Resources

tbmayers1 — 2025-09-06 04:11:00 UTC

Harry, B., & Ocasio-Stoutenburg, L. (2020). Meeting families where they are: Building equity through advocacy with diverse schools and Communities. Teachers College Press.

Friend, M. P., & Bursuck, W. D. (2019). Including students with special needs: A practical guide for classroom teachers. Pearson.

Blanchett, W. J., Klingner, J. K., & Harry, B. (2009). The intersection of race, culture, language, and disability: Implications for urban education. Urban Education, 44(4), 389–409. https://doi.org/10.1177/0042085909338686

Retief, M. & Letšosa, R.,2018, ‘Models of disability:A brief overview’, HTSTeologiese Studies/

Theological Studies 74(1),a4738. https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v74i1.4738