I am somewhat concerned about the "them" and "us" tone I see in the comments
below. Specifically, being "pro-life" is good, not suspect. After all, if
we say (as many of us do) that aborting a baby/fetus simply because she has
Down Syndrome is not sufficient reason to do so, then we are interfering
with the mother's absolute right to "choose." I have had this discussion
with others who loudly proclaim their support for the right to abort a child
who will be born with a disabling condition while expressing horror at the
thought that someone might wish to abort a child who has a genetic
predisposition to be gay.
That does not mean that there is never a good reason for abortion; it just
means that if we respect the diversity contributed by people with
disabilities, we do, indeed, find allies wherever they are. Disability
Studies and related concerns should never, in my view, be associated with a
particular brand of partisan politics (that is, it should never be seen as
"Democratic," or "Republican," "leftist," or "rightist"). We are political,
but not in the partisan sense.
In my view that is what makes Disability Studies such an active intellectual
field: we don't have shibboleths in the same way other fields might have
them. I realize that this is not a complete analysis, but email is (for me)
the chance to make broad statements, subject to review and discussion with
others.
Timothy Lillie, Ph.D.
The University of Akron
Akron OH 44325-5007
330-972-6746
> -----Original Message-----
> From: The Disability-Research Discussion List
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Maria Barile
> Sent: Wednesday, March 07, 2001 10:01 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Wesley Smith to Australia
>
>
> Nick,
> Not all of NYD people are pro-lifers. I agree that the distinction between
> pro-life and anti-euthanasia is blurry and needs to be clarified.
> Perhaps a
> as a movement we need for a while at least, remain inconsistent and
> realize that by we still live in a world that is pre dominated by values
> that promote "same is good different is bad" and that places us in
> unevenness, maybe that's what NYD is showing. Its an
> uncomfortable feeling
> for those of us who want to support individual rights and by same
> token not
> promote abelism and inequity
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "nick watson" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Wednesday, March 07, 2001 6:47 AM
> Subject: Re: Wesley Smith to Australia
>
>
> > Whilst I recognise the importance of this issue, I find some of
> the ideas
> in
> > this email troubling. I do not think that the Disabled
> People's Movement
> > should be forming alliances with the so called 'pro-lifers'.
> All we would
> > be doing is challenging one repressive regime by combining with another
> > repressive organisation. Surely any coalition partners that
> the disabled
> > people's movement work with must be part of the anti-discrimination
> > movement. I don't know Wesley Smith, but I would suggest that
> his wish to
> > form a coalition with the anti-choice lobby make him and his motives
> deeply
> > suspect.
> >
> > Nick
> >
> > >I recieved this email from the Not Dead Yet listserv and am forwarding
> > >it to all of you in Australia who would like to meet with Wesley. His
> > >credentials are too long to inumerate, but know they are of the highest
> > >order.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >I have just accepted an invitation to speak throughout Australia on
> > >issues of assisted suicide and bioethics. This will occur in August.
> > >
> > >While I am there, I would like to help facilitate a coalition between
> > >the disabled community, pro lifers, etc. on these issues as
> has occurred
> > >here. Toward that end, and as an end in itself, I would like to meet
> > >with members of the Australian disability rights community.
> > >
> > >Any assistance from NDY would be appreciated.
> > >
> > >Wesley J. Smith
> > >[log in to unmask]
> > >
> > >________________End of message______________________
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