Read & Discover
Disability Humor and Shifting Perspectives (Peet Montzingo)
Soledad Pereyra
In the realm of social media, one figure has been making waves recently for seamlessly blending humor, personal experiences with disability, and incisive social commentary: Peet Montzingo (b. 1990, Seattle, Washington). Through his platforms on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, Montzingo offers a fresh perspective on disability humor, challenging conventional norms and sparking meaningful conversations about inclusion and acceptance.
At the heart of Montzingo’s content lies a bold approach to humor— one that flips the script on traditional perceptions of disability. Growing up in a family of little people, with himself being the only one of average height, Montzingo cleverly crafts his comedy by shifting the narrative focus to laughing at/with those who consider themselves “normal.” In doing so, he not only entertains but also highlights the absurdity of societal norms and expectations towards people with different physical characteristics. While dwarfism is not always considered to be a disability, it can lead to physical limitations and can result in forms of disability in certain contexts and environments. However, it’s the psychosocial limitations surrounding dwarfism that truly disable individuals. In the social sphere, dwarfism, like many other forms of diversity, often emerges through clichéd perceptions. Its representation in humorous cultural artifacts has historically been built on satire and ridicule. Today, with the push for inclusion, there’s a supposed paradigm shift, but Montzingo cleverly satirizes the cliché of inclusion, targeting the “tolerant subject position” often taken for granted in neoliberal societies.
To cheer or not cheer
Montzingo’s reels spotlight the fragility of the “tolerant subject position” (Mallett 2014), rather than sweeping it under the rug. Recognizing this fragility, whether in others or ourselves. The concept of the “tolerant subject position” was introduced by disability studies scholar Rebecca Mallett, who analyzed British television shows like The Office and Little Britain. It examines how characters in various narratives demonstrate a superficial tolerance of minority groups while exposing the inadequacy of this stance. Take Montzingo’s YouTube short, “Which are you?”, where attitudes towards people with dwarfism are showcased through characters like “the cheerleader” or “the one who does it for them”, revealing the flaws in this position.
Family Matters
Additionally, Montzingo fearlessly includes his family, especially his mother, in his comedic sketches. While some might find this controversial, Montzingo’s humor challenges stereotypes and breaks down barriers. By playfully teasing his mother, who has dwarfism, he shatters the taboo that disability is off-limits for comedy or has “comedic immunity” (also in Mallett 2014). Instead, he illustrates that humor can be a powerful tool for empowerment and connection. One standout reel flips the ableist worldview on its head, asking: What if being little was considered “the normal”? In this video, Peet plays the “abnormal” “giant” while his mother and another individual perform the roles of stereotypically judgmental abled “normal” people. Underlying the script of this video is a classic humor technique known as incongruity, which relies on the unexpected or contradictory elements of a situation or communication. Specifically, in Peet’s sketch, the humor stems from the incongruity of a narrative where the values and devaluations of ableism are magically reversed.
Mama’s Boy Won’t Back Down
Montzingo doesn’t shy away from social commentary or mockery, even when faced with followers questioning his biological connection to his mother. Here, Montzingo employs a form of humor rooted in theories of the comic: superiority humor. This type of humor suggests that laughing at defective or inappropriate behavior can strengthen unity among group members—in this case, his community of followers. In response to doubts about his biological link to his mother, Montzingo shares a reel ostensibly explaining his conception (addressing inappropriate questions in the title “How was I not born a dwarf?”). However, he satirizes these comments, highlighting the absurdity of the underlying prejudice that assumes a woman of short stature can’t conceive an average-sized person or that physical differences are always hereditary.
Apart from its engaging features, Montzingo’s work stands in the line of studies indicating that disability humor can contribute to changing attitudes towards persons with disabilities. In essence, Montzingo’s mastery of comedy is not limited to creating funny moments; it functions as a catalyst for social change. His clever sketches and reflective criticisms act as a metaphorical hand on the shoulder challenging us to embrace diversity wholeheartedly. In a world where differences often spark hesitation or discomfort, Montzingo embraces the hesitation, makes use of the discomfort, and reminds us that laughter knows no boundaries.
Sources: Mallett, R. (2010). Claiming Comedic Immunity Or, What Do You Get When You Cross Contemporary British Comedy with Disability. Review of Disability Studies: An International Journal, 6(3). http://hdl.handle.net/10125/58451