I am 33 years old. I am a mother of three very different, wonderful children. I am a white, Welsh, married woman. I want to know, what is normal? What do we even mean by labelling things "normal," are we tagging them as socially acceptable? If you're not "normal," does that make you abnormal? A word that we so frequently associate with weird and therefore a lack of social acceptability?
Aren't we all different? Doesn't the same media that revels in pointing out anything and anyone that dares to stray from the norm also increasingly revel in telling us to celebrate our differences? So, surely, we should accept that, in a world inhabited by over 7 billion people, different is the new normal. The real normal.
They say "normal" I say "hornswaggle."
I remember seeing Cerrie for the first time on Cbeebies, I thought that was fantastic. The fact that I even had this thought shows how far society needs to go, to get from where we are to where there is no 'normal', where everything is normal. Seeing people from all walks of life in everyday situations helps break down this idea of what it is to be 'normal'.
When I heard about the persecution Cerrie had received for being a Cbeebies Presenter I was shocked and disgusted. People felt that because her arm was different, not "normal," it was upsetting for their children! People seemed truly petrified that their children should ask questions!
My son recently asked me the question that these parents so feared, although it took him about 2 years to even notice. His exact words were "Why doesn't she have a hand on that arm?" Do you know what? I was pleased he asked. We talked briefly about how she did have a hand, it was just different to his, not better, not worse just different. Lots of people out there have things that may seem odd at first, but they're just different. No more odd nor weird than the fact that he has brown hair and his brother has blond, just simply different.
I want to teach my children to go out into the world and spread their happiness and kindness, surround themselves with people that make them happy. To choose those people based not on what they look like, their gender, race, whether they are 'normal', but on who they are and the love they feel for each other.
This 'normal' business is hornswaggle. There is no normal, there are just people, beautiful and unique people.
Why is it so important to change?
The key to really becoming equal in gender, in race, inclusion and representation will be to teach our children to see these things clearly, to remove this perception of "normal." To rid them of archaic judgements of their peers. It's time to stop with these outdated perceptions of normal and acceptable and empower all children.
Imagine a world where we don't judge, where we are not judged on what we are capable of on appearance? That is a world where we are equals. A world where individuality and creativity can thrive. Where we treat everyone as equals, with complete inclusion. We need to sow the seeds for that tomorrow.
In that world, not only will our children see things more clearly than the generations that have come before them, but they will also not notice the differences and spend time and energy on fearing or ridiculing them because they will have simply accepted them and moved on to far more important things. The amount of energy and focus that this will free up amongst future generations cannot be understated. Human endeavour is limitless and the additional freedoms that our children and our children's children will be able to enjoy, when combined with the additional time and energy they will all have, will allow for change and development that we cannot begin to imagine.
What is being done?
Every time we release a call out for models, or more recently
for Brand Representatives, I have to spend so much time stipulating and making it very clear that we are actively encouraging ALL children to join in, that we want to represent ALL children. It saddens me every time.
Things are changing slowly with the inclusion of talented models like Madeline Stuart who at 19 years old has now walked New Yorks Fashion Weeks runway twice in her budding career, inspiring other youngsters not to let people put you in a box.
With great organisations like Changing the Face of Beauty, taken from their website:
"Changing the Face of Beauty empowers people living with disabilities by advocating for inclusive imagery, thus changing perceptions and igniting futures in the media and advertising industries."
Also the Toy Like Me campaign: "Celebrating disability in toys & calling on the toy industry & children's TV to better culturally represent 150 million disabled kids worldwide."
Everyone deserves to be seen, to be included, to be represented. Is this paraded 'normal' a representation of beauty? Beauty isn't one thing, it isn't singular - it is all around us in everyone's smile.
Show brands it's time to change by celebrating and supporting the ones that break this mould, the organisations fighting to change this. Big businesses are watching, now let's just make them listen.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.