I agree, I think it is indeed a comment dense with me
Hello All,
I agree, I think it is indeed a comment dense with meaning .
The comment and the subsequent reactions offer an interesting chance to examine the idea of the 'tolerance' of the neo-liberal subject. The idea and working of tolerance is central to Robert McRuer's Crip Theory (2006).
The ABC report is very positive; it does not simply condemn the comment but complicates it and offers alternative commentary (Shriver). In this way it offers an interesting insight into the negotiation of a 'better' subject position (especially in the dominant able cultural imaginary) for those with learning difficulties.
Also it will be great if the Olympian mentioned does go to the Whitehouse to help Obama improve his game. It is good to make use of such opportunities to put disability issues further up the poltical agenda.
Irene Rose.
________________________________
From: Wendy Harbour <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Saturday, 21 March, 2009 17:33:12
Subject: Obama - Bowling and Special Olympics
I assume many of you already heard about this, but I didn't see anything
posted on the listservs yet. Apparently last night with Jay Leno on the
Tonight Show, Barack Obama said his bowling in the White House bowling alley
was getting better with practice, but was still more suitable for the
Special Olympics. On the flight home, before the show aired, he called the
head of Special Olympics to apologize. My wife and I were talking about it
today at lunch - I think it's interesting fodder for disability studies for
several reasons: the president said it but apologized, the audience laughed
(so the humor worked on that level), the fact that this president is trying
to do outreach to people with disabilities.there's a lot going on here in a
very brief moment.
Here's a post about it.
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/03/president-ob-15.html
Wendy Harbour
[log in to unmask]
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