On Wednesday, 76-year-old Stephen Hawking died, prompting people everywhere to pay tribute to the renowned physicist.
Among many celebrities, Wonder Woman actress Gal Gadot joined the mourning by posting a tweet that read:
Rest in peace Dr. Hawking. Now you’re free of any physical constraints.. Your brilliance and wisdom will be cherished forever ✨ pic.twitter.com/EQzSxqNTuN
— Gal Gadot (@GalGadot) March 14, 2018
Though some saw the tweet as an innocent farewell, others viewed the words as discrimination against people with disabilities.
Prominent disability advocates called her comments ableist, condemning the 32-year-old’s inference that those with disabilities are incapable to live life to the fullest, and are thus ‘freed’ by death.
I think you’re fantastic Gal but this tweet is very ableist. His physical constraints didn’t stop him from changing the world. People with disabilities don’t wish for death to be free of their challenges. We wish to be valued for what we CAN do, not pitied for we can’t.
— Adam B. Zimmerman (@ABZimm) March 14, 2018
Top Comments
People can't say or do anything these days without judgement. She wouldn't have meant insult by her cimomnent. Little bit over everyone and their sensitivities. Harden up. Not everything is about you and your personal issues.
People need to check their outrage meter sometimes. What the heck did she say that was so bad? ALS does physically constrain people, it is a tradgey that people get it and you cannot live a full life, the same as you would if you didn't have ALS. And, if there is an afterlife, lets hope that people don't have to live with crappy conditions like ALS.