Disability aint impairment derived that in itself is to encompass the
language of the oppressor and to construct ones state as less than in a
mathematical equation.
I am an individual and the construction of many societies is that facets of
my distinct neuro-biological entity are considered to be less desirable by
reference to a societally derived norm.
The norm is shit so why measure myself against shit.
Larry
> -----Original Message-----
> From: The Disability-Research Discussion List
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Johnson Cheu
> Sent: 18 July 2002 16:00
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Language and labels (was 2003 logo)
>
>
> Sarah and all:
>
> yes, I think, you are right about the homogenizing, but then again that is
> the effect of any label. Chinese people doesn't take into account
> geographic and cultural distinctions. Asian American more homogenizing in
> its own way than Chinese American, and we could go on and on with this
> regarding any ethnicity including Caucasian as well as sexuality
> and gender.
>
> The point, as others have said, is that disabled people/person is an
> identity that I claim (and here I mean me personally, as the U.S. is still
> mired in the People First language more than the UK it seems) whereas
> "Person with a" 1) makes me feel like disability is a suit that
> I wear, 2)
> was a move done mostly by nondisabled people (right Claire?), in
> essence to
> be PC and make themselves feel better. I liken it to Physically
> Challenged, Handicapper, Handicapable, etc. and those other terms. Those
> attempt, in part, to make disability "cute" and palatable to a nondisabled
> population. Not my job. My impairment isn't cute; it just
> is. Incidentally, I feel the same way about Person of Asian
> Descent which,
> yes, is pretty nondescript, and always makes me think of someone wearing
> imperial silk robes. Call me Asian American, or Chinese American,
> if you must.
>
> And yeah, Disabled is still in its own way impairment derived, but it is
> the most acceptable term right now. My friend and I were involved in a
> similar discussion the other day. He was telling my why Chicano was a
> preferred term over Hispanic and Brown (ugh) , for instance, and there was
> a history there. So that's what we went with.
>
> Johnson
>
>>
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