Hi John,
I've been away for a few days and now I'm reading all the responses to my
posting, so I'll respond to a few. Your point is that arguing this issue
reinforces negative images of disability. That's one way to look at it.
Another is to see this as an opportunity to do some organzing and outreach.
People who may not "get" the disability issue or may not be interested are
clearly interested in the furor around Singer. I don't understand what
would be gained by not using this as a publicizing/educational opportunity.
For those who remember, debates around Shockley's ideas of race motivated
many interesting teach-ins. As a teacher, I think we need opportunities to
foster debate and clarification. And as for common ground, the aim of a
good debate can often be to find common ground.
At 01:20 AM 10/17/1999 +1000, you wrote:
>Good afternoon Lennard,
>
>I am somewhat concerned that all this effort is being expended to argue
>against something, it somehow reinforces the negative image of disability. I
>would prefer if it could be turned around becayse the the rational and
>emotional energy is directed in support of an idea/image/concept. My other
>concern is that we are promoting a confrontational situation. I can not
>think of a single situuation from politics, "justice", marriage, industrial
>relations to war where a cooperative solution would not be more productive
>and lasting.
>
>Have a good weekend, rgds John
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: Lennard Davis <[log in to unmask]>
>To: <[log in to unmask]>
>Sent: Saturday, October 16, 1999 4:57 AM
>Subject: Re: Singer/Asch debate
>
>
>> I'd love to debate with Singer. I spent all day yesterday driving from
>> Binghamton to NYC having my own private debate with Singer. Judging from
>> the response in my car, I won. But I WAS the only person in the car.
>>
>> This discussion only reiterates what I've been saying that we need to have
>> a PR/speaker's bureau. I can think of any number of people to add on to
>> Adrienne who would be able to argue Singer into a corner....Paul Longmore,
>> Tom Shakespeare, Rosemarie Thomson, Simi Linton, Harlan Hahn, Nancy
>> Mairs....there's no shortage of persuasive argumentive sorts amongst us.
>> And there's no reason we should not get pro-active about finding people
>who
>> like to argue, are good in public, can handle an audience, and then
>> assembling a list of would-be speakers. I hope that people will take this
>> issue up at SDS this year. I know there have been others who have
>> backgrounds in journalism, rhetoric, public speaking who have been
>> advocating this.
>>
>> In the meantime, I'll look into things like getting The Nation to host a
>> debate on this subject. If anyone has a venue they think would be
>> appropriate, perhaps we can stage further debates.
>>
>>
>> Best,
>>
>> Lennard J. Davis
>> Professor and Graduate Director
>> Department of English
>> Binghamton University
>> Binghamton, NY 13902
>> 607-777-2770 Fax: 607-777-2408
>>
>>
>
>
Best,
Lennard J. Davis
Professor and Graduate Director
Department of English
Binghamton University
Binghamton, NY 13902
607-777-2770 Fax: 607-777-2408
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