Tom, ALL social movements have their trials and tribulations why should the
UK one be any different? It is easy to criticise oppressed people from, I
have to say, an ivory tower viewpoint. I say the ivory tower view point
because if you were an ally to the grass roots movement you would find a
different way to 'slag us off'. I don't have a problem with, some of the
things you are saying, it's how you are putting them across to us that
concerns me the most.
The Direct Action Network (and I do not speak for DAN) I am speaking as an
individual, is by no means perfect but it is trying hard to help mobilise
disabled people to take control of their lives and join us in our struggles
for change. Many disabled people within this network, do not have, by far,
and through no fault of their own, the resources which you or your allies
have had. Many disabled people have come from the experience of being
incarcerated within institutions, (or have experienced some type of
incarceration within their communities) and are very angry, and quite rightly
so, who are we to complain, if one or two stink bombs are let off during a
demo! I have met some of the most inspiring, forward thinking, get up and go
radicalised people in my life, through this network, against popular
disbelief its not all doom and gloom.
If you and your allies want to work with disabled people, from ALL
backgrounds, please think about how you are relating to us and try and put
yourself in our position and even if our views are radically different from
yours, there's a very good and justifiable reason for this.
Liz.
"It has to start somewhere, it has to start sometime,what better place than
here,what better time than now."
-Zack De La Rocha-1999
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