Dear all,
we had a big protest against P Singer in Germany in the early 90s and later some smaller. He was invited by the German Lebenshilfe (today German secton of Inclusion International) to discuss his book "Should the Baby Live?" and similar publications in which he argues that according to his version of utilitarism it is okay to kill a severely disabled infant before it is 1 years old because it would lead to more happiness. In his elaborations on "personhood" he compares disabled human beings with animals and concludes that some disabled human beings have less personhood than e.g. a pig .
Because of our protest he was disinvited by Lebenshilfe but he talked at several German universities and these talks were accompanied by loud protests of the disability rights movement and allies (women's movement, anti-fachist movement, churches). It was a big scandal and he wrote a widely circulated article "On being silenced in Germany" (or similar title) His background as a Jew who had lost family members in the Holocaust gave the debate an additional aspect which needed to be adressed with ethical responsibility.
While I joined the radical protest against him and still think we were right because at that time it was the only way how we could make our voices being heard, I regret the publicity he gained with it. I think this process of victimization of P Singer is one of the reasons he received so many awards after that. Today I would simply ignore him but fight any statement by an organization or conference which is based on his thoughts.
Best regards
Theresia Degener
Professor of Law and Disability Studies
Director of Bochum Center for Disability Studies (BODYS)
Protestant University of Applied Studies
Immanuel-Kant-Strasse 18 - 20
44803 Bochum
Germany
tel: + 49 (0)234 - 36901 172
fax: + 49 (0)234 - 36901 110
tel: + 49 (0)234 - 36901 172
fax: + 49 (0)234 - 36901 110
cell: +49 (0) 1522 5988673
Von: Mathieu Simard ([log in to unmask])
Datum: 06.02.2019 22:16
An: [log in to unmask]
Betreff: Re: Peter Singer keynote at Dalhousie Law Conference
Dear all,
________________End of message________________ This Disability-Research Discussion list is managed by the Centre for Disability Studies at the University of Leeds (www.leeds.ac.uk/disability-studies). Enquiries about list administration should be sent to [log in to unmask] Archives and tools are located at: www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/disability-research.html You can VIEW, POST, JOIN and LEAVE the list by logging in to this web page.
I myself didn't know of the "works" of Peter Singer. To be honest, I am surprised that somebody (especially in the academic world) could advocate for such terrible things. I would suggest pointing the conference organizers to specific elements of this individual that are offensive (hyperlinks, etc) to allow them to make a more facts-based decision. This, especially in consideration of legal limits on hate speech in place in Canada.
Acknowledging that there is a significant disability hub at Halifax, including Shawna O'Hearn from Dalhousie itself and activist Steven Estey from the Canadian Council of Persons with Disabilities, would it be appropriate for me to share your email with these two individuals and let them decide afterwards if / how they want to interact with both this group and the conference itself as deemed appropriate by them?
Please let me know your thoughts. I could then share the email as requested.
Best regards,
Mathieu
Mathieu Simard
Coordinator
Global Health and Rehabilitation Initiative
PhD student
Rehabilitation Sciences
McGill University
Coordinator
Global Health and Rehabilitation Initiative
McGill University
Rehabilitation Sciences
McGill University
Deputy vice-president, Rehabilitation International (RI) North America
Vice-Chair, RI International Commission on Technology and Accessibility
Chair and founding Member, RI Task Force on Disability, Armed Conflict, and Natural Disasters
Phone: (418)376-8453
Skype: mathieu.simard_pro
Vice-Chair, RI International Commission on Technology and Accessibility
Chair and founding Member, RI Task Force on Disability, Armed Conflict, and Natural Disasters
Phone: (418)376-8453
Skype: mathieu.simard_pro
On Feb 6, 2019, at 3:49 PM, Roman, Leslie <[log in to unmask]> wrote:________________End of message________________ This Disability-Research Discussion list is managed by the Centre for Disability Studies at the University of Leeds (www.leeds.ac.uk/disability-studies). Enquiries about list administration should be sent to [log in to unmask] Archives and tools are located at: www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/disability-research.html You can VIEW, POST, JOIN and LEAVE the list by logging in to this web page.Please include Prof. Leslie G. Roman, PI for Wingspan Disability Arts, Culture and Public Pedagogy.LeslieFrom: The Disability-Research Discussion List [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Tanya Titchkosky
Sent: Wednesday, February 6, 2019 12:23 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Peter Singer keynote at Dalhousie Law ConferenceIf you wish to contact the organizers to share your concerns, you can reach them at [log in to unmask] .Here is a DRAFT --anyone want to edit or send together - let me know -[log in to unmask]Dear Organizers and Dalhousie University Community Members,We represent an international group of concerned disability studies scholars, artists, and activist some of whom are committed to animal rights. We noticed that your Animal Law Conference is hosting Peter Singer on October 2019 at Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia, Canada. We write to express our shock and disappointment.Human/animals relations represent an important social justice issue but it is unjustifiable to pursue your interests by employing and featuring a person who has publicly argued for the death of children with disabilities and has argued for the general worthlessness of disabled people, and more than once. You are choosing a ridiculous, not to mention offensive, way to garner respect for your interests. We cannot fathom why your animal law conference would publicly and willingly promote the degradation of disability life.Please justify your decision to promote liberation by making enemies with us. Does every movement need a cut off point and now your group has decided that instead of animals it will be disabled people? We do not think you should ignore the deep implications of your promotion of this particular keynote speaker.SignaturesProf. Tanya Titchkosky, Social Justice Education, OISE of the University of TorontoOthers_____________From: The Disability-Research Discussion List <[log in to unmask]> On Behalf Of Inckle, Kay
Sent: February-06-19 7:09 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Peter Singer keynote at Dalhousie Law ConferenceI think it would be a good plan to draft a (very short) letter to the organisers. Personally, I don't think taking up the option of a panel at an event like that is a good plan as it merely endorses the position that his ideas merit discussion. I don't think any other minoritised group would be asked to put a counter argument to the suggestion that killing babies from that group is a positive act!
Kay
Dr Kay InckleLecturer in SociologyDepartment of Sociology, Social Policy & Criminology1.23 Eleanor Rathbone Building, Bedford Street South, Liverpool L69 7ZA+44 (0)151 794 3021Office HoursSem 1: Tuesdays 11:00-12:00; 15:00-16:00Sem 2: Mondays 14:00-16:00From: The Disability-Research Discussion List <[log in to unmask]> on behalf of Devva Kasnitz <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 5, 2019 4:55:32 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Peter Singer keynote at Dalhousie Law ConferenceTanya,How do we let them know? If those of you with the background could draft a letter and we all sign......DevvaDevva Kasnitz, PhDSpring 2018 -- Kate Welling Distinguished Scholar in Disability Studies, Miami University, Oxford, OHAdj Professor, City University of New York-School of Professional Studies-Disability StudiesExecutive Director, Society for Disability Studies, PO BOX 5570, Eureka CA 95502From: The Disability-Research Discussion List <[log in to unmask]> On Behalf Of Tanya Titchkosky
Sent: Tuesday, February 5, 2019 6:16 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [DISABILITY-RESEARCH] Peter Singer keynote at Dalhousie Law ConferenceHi,I have attempted to write about some of the deadly implications of Singer's perspective on disability. If the link does not provide access, I can send it to you. I think we should also let DAL law school know that we do not agree with their key note choice - really ridiculous!TanyaSocial Justice Education, OISE of the University of TorontoThe Ends of the Body as PedagogicPossibilityTanya TitchkoskyPublished online: 22 Jun 2012.DOI: 10.1080/10714413.2012.686851To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10714413.2012.686851Journal:Review of Education, Pedagogy, andCultural StudiesFrom: The Disability-Research Discussion List <[log in to unmask]> On Behalf Of Kate Kaul
Sent: February-05-19 8:34 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Peter Singer keynote at Dalhousie Law ConferenceLilith, thanks for sending.I agree that dialogue is necessary. In that spirit, would anyone like to propose a panel with me? I think it would be useful to set out the shape of the resistance to Singer's arguments on disability and value (McBryde Johnson, for example) and the important contemporary work that engages our relationships with non-human animals from a politicized disability perspective. I would like to see that perspective represented at the conference, and in the proposed journal issue.Nova Scotia is wonderful in the summer but I'm not sure about early October - I guess there would be no need to worry about jellyfish!KateFrom: The Disability-Research Discussion List <[log in to unmask]> On Behalf Of LILITH Finkler
Sent: February 5, 2019 12:36 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Peter Singer keynote at Dalhousie Law ConferenceDear Colleagues. I am forwarding you the announcement about the Animal Law Conference because the keynote speaker is none other than Peter Singer! If you wish to contact the organizers to share your concerns, you can reach them at [log in to unmask] .Increasingly, links are being made between the disability rights movement and the animal liberation movement. These are two strong social justice movements. I do not believe we should ignore speciesism -at the same time, the animal rights movement must not ignore ableism. Dialogue is certainly necessary! Lilith
Animal Justice is thrilled to announce the inaugural Canadian Animal Law Conference! Co-hosted with the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University, the conference will take place from October 4 - 6, 2019, in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Animal law has grown tremendously in Canada over the past decade, and it's the right time for animal law leaders to gather, take stock of our accomplishments, and consider the future. The conference will bring together animal rights lawyers, scholars, advocates, and students to reflect on lessons learned, and how to further advance protections for animals.
The conference will feature a special keynote address from Peter Singer, philosopher and author of the groundbreaking book Animal Liberation.
Submissions for the inaugural Canadian Animal Law Conference are invited on topics relating to advocacy, litigation, legislation, policy, and our legal and ethical relationship with non-human animals. To learn more about submissions, please visit the conference website.
We hope you will consider joining us in October! We will let you know when conference registration opens.
Sincerely,
Camille Labchuk
Executive Director
Visit www.animaljustice.ca to learn more.
Toronto, Ontario
M5X 1C7________________End of message________________ This Disability-Research Discussion list is managed by the Centre for Disability Studies at the University of Leeds (www.leeds.ac.uk/disability-studies). Enquiries about list administration should be sent to [log in to unmask] Archives and tools are located at:www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/disability-research.html You can VIEW, POST, JOIN and LEAVE the list by logging in to this web page.________________End of message________________ This Disability-Research Discussion list is managed by the Centre for Disability Studies at the University of Leeds (www.leeds.ac.uk/disability-studies). Enquiries about list administration should be sent to [log in to unmask] Archives and tools are located at:www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/disability-research.html You can VIEW, POST, JOIN and LEAVE the list by logging in to this web page.________________End of message________________ This Disability-Research Discussion list is managed by the Centre for Disability Studies at the University of Leeds (www.leeds.ac.uk/disability-studies). Enquiries about list administration should be sent to [log in to unmask] Archives and tools are located at:www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/disability-research.html You can VIEW, POST, JOIN and LEAVE the list by logging in to this web page.________________End of message________________ This Disability-Research Discussion list is managed by the Centre for Disability Studies at the University of Leeds (www.leeds.ac.uk/disability-studies). Enquiries about list administration should be sent to [log in to unmask] Archives and tools are located at: www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/disability-research.html You can VIEW, POST, JOIN and LEAVE the list by logging in to this web page.________________End of message________________ This Disability-Research Discussion list is managed by the Centre for Disability Studies at the University of Leeds (www.leeds.ac.uk/disability-studies). Enquiries about list administration should be sent to [log in to unmask] Archives and tools are located at: www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/disability-research.html You can VIEW, POST, JOIN and LEAVE the list by logging in to this web page.________________End of message________________ This Disability-Research Discussion list is managed by the Centre for Disability Studies at the University of Leeds (www.leeds.ac.uk/disability-studies). Enquiries about list administration should be sent to [log in to unmask]Archives and tools are located at: www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/disability-research.html You can VIEW, POST, JOIN and LEAVE the list by logging in to this web page.
