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Maria, I disagree with your basic premise--that the "In a society that is becoming more and more about self-interest, stemming from the right wings, philosophy." I agree that society is adopting an ever increasing philosophy of selfishness and self-serving, but disagree that it is the "right wings philosophy" that has led to this. Here in the United States I see this demonstrated by the philosophy that says, "I have a disability therefore the government must support me through other people's taxes--even if I can work and be self supporting and don't need the financial help the government owes me." In this regard, I wonder if it may not be the "left wing's" philosophy of "the government owes me" that has led to much of the selfishness I believe I see in society today. I personally am very resistant to any "blame placing" that does so based on political philosophy. I know of many "right wing conservatives" who are very generous and giving--but also know of many "right wing conservatives" who are very stingy and selfish. But then again, I know of many "left wing liberals" who are very generous and giving--and also know of many "left wing liberals" who are very stingy and selfish. Personal politics may play a part in the current philosophies, but I believe that it is a very small part. As a man with a visible disability (in that I use a power wheelchair all of the time) for about 4 years I have found that many in society respond negatively to me, my disability, my wheelchair, my adaptive equipment, and even my family when they are with me. Quite often I do receive pity, but not acceptance (and this has been balanced between both liberals and conservatives). For this reason, and many more, I tend to recommend to people not to disclose disability until necessary--when they request accommodations for instance. Thank you, Jimmy Weber Disability Program Navigator Iowa Workforce Development 2508 4th Street Sioux City, Iowa 51101 Voice: 712-233-9030 ext 1045, TTY: 1-800-831-1399 Fax: 712-277-8438 [log in to unmask] [log in to unmask] (Employment Information & Jobs For Anyone) As we approach the end of course 2004, I find myself pondering a question your help please. As a women with multiple disabilities among others a few invisible impairments, ( Learning disabilities) I’ m privileged to understand the temptation of wanting to play up or play down the disability card at will. Yet my (visible) physical disabilities do not allow me to hide these identities, should I at some point, want to do so. In the last few years I have been confronted with a few women who have confided they have hidden disabilities and that they use the identity of disability to obtain privileges and hide it when among non-disabled community. This for some reason seemed wrong and patronizing to me. I could be wrong or jealous as one of them accused me of being. From a feminist stand point, and Independent Living point we claim that we support choice for all, and from the feminist stand point I learned that power is the roots of violence against women. Violence against women begins in a very slow way with conceal messages from the abusers. As a survivor of institutional violence I accepted that as confirming my experience If in effect violence is about power then what are these individuals really doing to those of us who do not have the privilege of hiding what society devalues and considers unwanted? In a society that is becoming more and more about self-interest, stemming from the right wings, philosophy. I’m not suggesting that they are themselves creating act of physical violence, but they are supporting and maintaining the privilege of a traditional non tolerant society, where white non-disabled men are the norm and deserving of privileges. Where do those of us who can not, or may not want to hide our physical, mental difference belong? Are these privileged individuals, in very indirect way supporting eugenics ideologies? Or have I completely missed understood the rules for radical ? Maria ________________End of message______________________ Archives and tools for the Disability-Research Discussion List are now located at: www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/disability-research.html You can JOIN or LEAVE the list from this web page. An Equal Opportunity Employer/Program Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request for individuals with disabilities.