In response to the latest news reports (22.00 BST 30/04/99) of the bomb
attack on the Gay community in central London tonight, I simply wish to
express my fears that the Disabled community in our capital city may also be
a target. Following the nail bomb attacks on the Black community in Brixton
and the Asian community of the East End of London, the news of the last few
hours alters the picture somewhat.
Initially, there was speculation that the first two bomb attacks were the
work of organised racists. We are now forced to confront the likelihood
that these attacks are the work of far-right extremists/fascists whose
agenda is rather wider.
As a Disabled woman who lives a mere half a mile from Brick Lane, the heart
of the Bangladeshi community, and sufficiently close to both the City of
London and the Docklands area to have experienced the impact of both the
April 1993 City bomb and the Feb. 1996 Docklands bomb, I feel a quite
different sort of anxiety now from that previously experienced. Acts of
terrorism within the UK mainland by the Irish Republican Army were targeted
at property predominantly. These new acts of terrorism are clearly aimed
at PEOPLE from oppressed groups.
So, are we next? Are we about to experience a new and far more sinister
expression of disabilism? As these events are unfolding against a backdrop
of a European war fought in the name of anti-fascism/ anti-racism, I cannot
escape the knowledge that before the Nazis directed their 'special
treatment' at Jews, gypsies and gays, disabled people were no longer around
to bear witness.
It seems inapproprate to theorise further whilst I can think of at least ten
personal friends who might well have been in gay bars in Soho on a Friday
night. On a different Friday I might well have been with them.
But I send this out into 'the ether' as I feel the topic of the 'backlash'
against Disabled People needs further debate and I personally would welcome
the discourse.
Felicity.
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