Legless man turns tables on gawkers

[Toujin]

http://potw.news.yahoo.com/s/potw/64...you-looking-at

Basically, this guy who was born without legs has started taking pictures of those who gawk at him, and posting some of them online. It's an interesting story.

[blas]

Public shame is a good idea. It's ignorant to gawk and stare like that.

[edible_hat]

I once saw a legless man on TV who is part of the motivational speaker circuit. My attitude was "big deal, whoever said you need legs to have a wife and kids?"

although it was funny when he sat at the bottom of an escalator and yelled "It got me! It got me!"

[MystyGlyttyr]

...well...I was looking at him because he's cute...

[Happy Otter Lover]

...well...I was looking at him because he's cute...

Me too! That was the first thing I thought - damn, he is good looking!
I guess I'm shallow in a different way hahaha

[Broomjockey]

Public shame is a good idea. It's ignorant to gawk and stare like that.

Except what I took away from the article is that it's not about shaming the lookers, it's bascially turned into an art project for him.

[Andara Bledin]

Yeah, I totally didn't get the impression that he was trying to shame people for looking. He was only deciding that if they felt it was ok to stare at him because he had no legs then it should be ok for him to get his fill of them, as well.

^-.-^

[blas]

I'd imagine having it online for others to see is kind of shaming them. Even if it isn't his intention, most people would look at that and say "What a bunch of ignorant fruit loops! Great way to make an example of people who deserve it!"

[edible_hat]

funniest part:

Connolly has spent most of his life shrugging off the perhaps well-intentioned, but ultimately dismissive, stereotypical role of the "inspiring" physically-challenged individual.

and right next to that, in the user-submitted comments:

Its great that he took the fact that he doesnt have legs into something so beautiful.

missed ye olde pointe?

[Broomjockey]

I'd imagine having it online for others to see is kind of shaming them. Even if it isn't his intention, most people would look at that and say "What a bunch of ignorant fruit loops! Great way to make an example of people who deserve it!"

Why? It's normal to look at something that's not in your usual world. How many people here see someone legless on a regular basis? These people are just a little less careful at disguising their looks. The only reason lookers would have to be ashamed is if they were gawking.

It is possible to look with polite interest. It's like looking at any other human being. You see someone new, look for a few seconds, and move on. You'd prefer they obviously avoid looking at him? That can be just as bad, you know. Not looking to the point where they might as well be staring. I really think you're missing the point entirely

[Titi]

I'd imagine having it online for others to see is kind of shaming them. Even if it isn't his intention, most people would look at that and say "What a bunch of ignorant fruit loops! Great way to make an example of people who deserve it!"

I suggest you look at his gallery of photos before you do that. I highly doubt that he expected the little kids in the second 2 pictures having that against them.

http://www.therollingexhibition.com/gallery.php

[Chazzie]

http://www.npr.org/blogs/bryantpark/...web/index.html

Listen to what HE says on the subject, guys! It's not about shaming them at all. As he states, he is their 'blank slate'. The initial look tells so much about what's going on within a person's mind. They begin to make assumptions on how he supposedly lost his legs, and from talking to them he can determine what kind of person they really are. It's a project, not a "these are the people that stare at me )<" thing.

I find it truly fascinating!

[Saydrah]

I like it! Especially the one where he talks about the picture of the guys dressed as Roman soldiers and asks which is sillier- a guy on a skateboard with no legs or grown men dressed as Roman centurions?

[edible_hat]

which is sillier- a guy on a skateboard with no legs or grown men dressed as Roman centurions?

Sillier than both would be a guy on a skateboard with legs. They generally have wheels.

[iradney]

So he has no legs. It's natural to look. It's not nice to s-t-a-r-e.
He has DAMN nice hands... (I can't help it, a good pair of hands on a man and I melt).