The Other Anti-Discrimination Fight That Needs to Be Fought
Some of the biggest news in recent times is the fight for the rights of people who are marginalized. Much of this has been focused on the black community and the LGBTQ community.
There is more that is needed. As a Canadian, I would like to see more conversation about the abuse toward the indigenous community. There are others as well.
The one area of advocacy that I definitely would like to see happen is in the area of disabilities, especially in the area of developmental disability.
In Canada we talk a lot about the residential schools, as well we should. But many of the institutions for people with disabilities were just as bad. Perhaps not stamping out culture, but in terms of emotional and physical abuse.
There has been some work done in this area. The documentary Crip Camp is a good start. It definitely opened my eyes to some of the hard work and important gains that have taken place.
One of the problems for disabilities is that there is no real “disability community.” There is definitely a divide between those with developmental and physical disabilities. And the blind and deaf communities have developed their own cultures as well. The unity needed for a concentrated effort is lacking.
I want to be very careful in what I say here. The other marginalized communities that have fought for rights have relied upon people who are gifted in communicating their stories.
There are definitely such people in certain disability communities. However, those in the developmental disability community have too often lacked the needed opportunities.
Hear me clearly, I’m not saying that people with developmental disabilities are not intelligent enough to make change. There are some strong and passionate voices in this community.
But many people with developmental disabilities (including my own children) communicate in a way different from those who need to hear what they say. And too many people don’t have the patience to listen to those voices.
So keep preaching that Black Lives Matter. And don’t negate that with “All Lives Matter.” But consider the other marginalized groups as well. Think especially of those with disabilities.
There is suffering going on in the lives of people with disabilities apart from any developmental or physical impairments. There is suffering that is produced from the attitudes of others.
I’m not saying that those who are (temporarily) abled have to be their voice, but we need to be prepared to give a platform for those voices we need to hear.
