In a message dated 24/08/01 10:18:12 GMT Daylight Time, [log in to unmask]
writes:
<<
Yes I attempt to tap into individual's subjective state but explore how this
may be (is) influenced by disabling experiences of a exclusionary oppressive
non-disabled society. This goes without saying as I the research is
underpinned by holistic ontology. But I feel very uncomfortable claiming that
participants' are falsely conscious of their situation ... I hope to explore
social oppression and the lived reality of participants in tandem ... as I'm
sure you're aware many disabled people are not aware of the social model.
This is not a good thing ... but acts as a reminder to us, of how the
isolation of disabled people militates against consciousness raising.
Indeed, during interviews it does jar when people talk of their impairments
in a self-blaming, individualistic manner - but I cannot dismiss these
comments. This again relates to the hiearchy within the disabled population
- those who have the resources (whether cultural, material or social) to get
their voices heard, and more importantly, to be listened to. There are many
disabled people out there who do not leave their homes at all, what are we
doing to engage with these people - and how do you propose we raise their
consciousness ... or is that imposing our (more socially powerful)
definitions on them.>>>
Is it about imposing our more socially powerful definitions on them?
On too many occasions, too many people make excuses for disabled people and
JUSTIFY their oppression and as a consequence many disabled people end up
living an institutionalized life, all of their lives (does anyone care).
Lucky for me it was only forty years.
On many occasions I have heard people say, in relation to many profoundly
unpoliticised/normalised disabled people, that they do not want 'politics'.
Oppression is not a choice. People do not choose to be oppressed. At the
risk of being flamed by members of the UK restricted growth community,
dwarfs do not 'choose' to be thrown down a skittle ally (dwarf throwing
contests) any more than disabled people 'choose' to work, or should I say
play, in Day Centres.
By the same token and in relation to work around disability and domestic
violence, disabled women do not 'choose' to be involved in
oppressive/abusive relationships.
The social model concept does not have to be initially offered to
participants on social model language terms etc. and nor do we need to
objectify impairment, wouldn't that be enough to scare anyone away?
The road to empowerment surely must to be more than developing "unpoliticised
disabled, isolated people's consciousness". Unless of course researching
disabled peoples lives is not actually about empowerment. Then if that's the
case, surely the researchers role will do nothing other than perpetuate the
oppression.
So in summary Pauline, I can see clearly why your research might be of
interest to researchers at an academic level but I can't see what the direct
benefits are to the disabled women you are researching, perhaps you could
enlighten me more please.
Cheers
Liz
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