Just my ten cents before heading out of the office this evening: As an
academic researcher with a learning disability, I'm honestly chagrined
with the insular approach to research taken by many in this recent
discussion. Although I understand Larry's frustration, I also think
that we need to acknowledge that disability is a complex phenomenon that
lends itself to many perspectives. Although disability studies is built
upon the same theoretical foundations as women's studies and
race/cultural studies, it's important to remember that gender, race, and
culture are more concrete cultural structures than disability. I know
that I'm opening myself up to all sorts of critiques by saying
this...but I can't become, black, Asian, or even a woman; but I can
become a person with a disability...or I can acquire another disability
beyond the one I already have. We all can...the experience of being
human is the experience of becoming or fighting against becoming
disabled. Thus it seems to me that the phenomenon of disability is an
area that should be more open and accepting of a diversity of
perspectives since disability is one of the few shared areas of human
experience that cuts across age, race, gender, class, etc. Now, I'm not
arguing for the medical model here, although I think that the medical
model, despite it's patriarchal hegemonic view of ability, has added
much to what we currently understand about disability...BUT it needs to
be counterbalanced and, if possible, superseded by a more rational view
of human diversity.
Matt
Larry Arnold wrote:
> Bollox me old pal me old beauty you justify it thus, but if it were you who were offended I think
> you would not be so forgiving,
>
> So authentic voices always take second place because the middle class intelligentsia are always more
> likely to be taken seriously because they have a social contract we do not.
>
> That is giving in to Nanny knows best.
>
> It really stinks and you are all blind to it in your own security.
>
> How far have you travelled? And in which direction
>
> A bloody big circle I think, where you are all now the pigs who walk on two legs.
>
> Larry
>
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: The Disability-Research Discussion List
>> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
>> [log in to unmask]
>> Sent: 24 June 2008 22:15
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: Re: who should do the research?
>>
>> I strongly agree with Allan on this point.
>>
>> Surely the over all point of all writing, be it articles,
>> books, movies etc is to bring about an understanding of what
>> is going on.
>> Parents, and anyone else should be able to communicate from
>> their prospective. We should value that contribution to understanding.
>>
>> It has however to be made clear from what perspective or
>> relationship the author is coming from.
>>
>> Keith
>>
>>
>> My new videos can been seen at
>>
>> <http://www.putfile.com/yourcamden/media>
>>
>> <http://www.youtube.com/user/yourcamden>
>>
>> <http://www.myspace.com/kaamden>
>>
>> <http://www.veoh.com/users/yourcamden>
>>
>>
>
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--
Matthew Wappett Ph.D.
Assistant Professor: Interdisciplinary Training Coordinator
University of Idaho Center on Disabilities and Human Development
129 West Third St.
Moscow, ID 83843
Phone: (208) 885-3038
Fax: (208) 885-3628
www.idahocdhd.org
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