At 12:13 PM 7/15/99 +0100, you wrote:
>Out of all this my main question is - is the notion or concept of social
>exclusion a useful and perhaps unifying term which could hold together
>the number of different aspects of exclusion that people face? Or is it
>just another handy political sound bite, and another label with which to
>categorise and further put down already condiderably oppressed people?
>
>I'd be glad for feedback?
>
>Best Wishes to you all - Robert Roche (MA/DipSw Keele).
>
Hello Robert
To me, the term social exclusion does not cover all of the different
aspects of exclusion. I also think exclusion is a notion that is more
complex than many may at first perceive. The 'subject' is not always
passively involved or somehow removed from the choices which are made in
regard to exclusion. One can exclude themselves and probably often do
without much thought or fanfare. One can be included and not really wish
to be. I don't know whether its to do with desire or choice or what it is
but I do find it easier to talk in terms of one's positioning within
discourses. I know its tired old Foucault again but for me its easier to
say "where do I fit into the discourse on age?...on gender?..on
sexuality?...on ability?..am I marginalised?...am I a happy camper in a
subversive position within the discourse?..Do I want to a position within
the dominant discourse? How did I get here and am I happy with it?" If
then, I am excluded and I want to be included, whereabouts do I want to be
positioned and how do I go about getting there?
With best regards
Laurence Bathurst
University of Sydney
School of Occupation and Leisure Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
East Street (P.O. Box 170)
Lidcombe NSW 1825
Australia
Ph+ 61 2 9351 9509
Fax+ 61 2 9351 9166
E-mail [log in to unmask]
Note: This is the e-mail address for my home as well
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There is not one shred of evidence that supports the notion that life is
serious.
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