Sarah,
The movement does not work. While I am an activist in terms of that I
campaign, I do not feel any more a part of the movement since those
organisations that claim to represent disabled people simply don't.
I hope I am more honest. I represent no one except myself and people I
know and know me. I campaign, mainly on my own, in very small ways as
well as the big ones. I believe really improving the live of one person,
however small, in a meaningful way is worth 1000 research papers or acts
of pariliament.
In terms of feeling your views are silience, are you in the right arena.
Academics and those who think about disability as well as be disabled
are not the movement but rather a movement in that is right wrong. After
being on an disability studies course, it is possible to analysis and
over-analysis anything in terms of disability.
Therefore when this group gets in teeth into something it is ripped
apart, constructively using many angles and viewpoints.
The reason I and maybe others are protective on my views and our
reclaimed language is because it is so fragile. The freedoms I fought
for over 10 years are so fragile as the eugenics movement races ahead to
the next holocaust and the government decided to mess up the care
industry so much with their careless standards that disabled people
might as well be dead. If attitudes are to change, I and others need to
be extremely strong about our views in an hostile environment where
those in power are just waiting to bring the words handicapped and
cripple back since disabled people have had their bit of fun! I believe
that is the attitude.
I hope this helps.
Many Thanks, Simon
--
Simon Stevens
[log in to unmask]
Tel: +44(0)24 7644 8130
Fax: +44(0)870 133 2447
-----Original Message-----
From: The Disability-Research Discussion List
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Sarah Supple
Sent: 26 July 2002 11:47
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Losing faith
IN reply to Michael. I also agree that we all need some common ground
on
which to call ourselves a movement, that is to release disabled people
from
an oppressive societal position, I too am concerned that the voices of
those
who do not agree wit a certain version of the social model are being
silenced. This is obviously a very personal topic for all of us and
thus
understandably passions run high. However I don't think that overlooking
different voices will help us to evolve as a movement. I am already
concerned that the disability movement speaks for disabled people whilst
being informed by only a few voices, mostly of accademics. However I am
new
to the movement so may have misunderstood how it all works. Sarah.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Michael Peckitt" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, July 25, 2002 1:01 PM
Subject: Losing faith
> To all
>
> There is no reason that anyone should really care about what I am
about to
> send out, but I thought I'd send it out anyway.
>
> I first came accross this list in 1998, and it seemed like a good
place to
> exchange ideas regarding disability issues. I am beginning to think I
was
> wrong. This list was meant o be about a frank exchange of ideas
regarding
> disability issues, yet all too many times it turns into person attacks
on
> particular people.
>
> For instance, recently I posted a cogent argument to this list
regarding
> language. I was repremanding for using a particular word, a mistake on
my
> part for which I apologize, but the point is that it was one word and
not
> my view that was attacked.
>
> After I did my BA giving a philosophical angle on disability and yes
talking
> about pain, my supervisor said that I should perhaps, in the future
attempt
> to lengthen my ideas and turn them into a book. I refused because of
a
fear
> of personal attacks from members of this list - not attacks on my
arguments,
> but against me personally. I have been called ableist in the past,
and as
I
> have said before, told to in non-polite terms to leave this list. But
of
of
> course, that is all in the name of frank discussion!
>
> It would appear that this list does work like a one party state - I
suppose
> I can express any view like, as long it it coheres with policy. But of
> course, this is all in the name of frank discussion!
>
> What is this list about? Personal and petty attacks? I know what I am
about.
> I wish to further disability studies and the movement's cause. No I
do
> not swallow the Social model chapter & verse , but I have the same
goal as
> everyone on this list.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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