Reading Response Four: (Dis)ability
When we use the term disability, we are saying that the person is less than. They are viewed as valued less than those who are able. The article, Becoming dishuman: thinking about the human through dis/ability by Daniel Goodley and Katherine Runswick-Cole, argues that when we talk of intellectual disabilities, we are relieved that disability is combined with humanness. We can recognize the normative traits we see as traditional and human, while also seeing the other characteristics we would have in a typical understanding of personhood. They describe this as this dis/human approach. The article talks of first wave disability studies and how it “was about securing a political and sociological handle on the working of disability in capitalist society” (Goodley and Runswick-Cole). Second wave studies were connected with other agendas such as feminism, and queer politics. Both Queer and disability studies have similar vocabularies. Dis/ability studies make us consider how we value humans, and who we view is worth fighting for.
Dis/ability requires us to look at ideas that we have taken for granted. To challenge ideas about what is considered the norms of humans and ability. We have to see how dis and ability are sometimes working in contradiction with each other and sometimes together. Dis/ability is another binary that affects the lives of people. People view disabled and human as opposites. Dis/ability studies disrupt normative narratives about what it means to be humans and able. The article wants us to trouble the ideas that have been made to sound negative, like disability. They assume that anything perceived as wrong needs to be fixed. Disabilities do not need to be fixed or cured, and they are not a tragedy; instead, this is just the way society has taught us to view disability.
Troubling the norm is apparent in the article Stolen Bodies, Reclaimed Bodies: Disability and Queerness by Eli Clare. It talks of how a telethon raises money for a cure to repair bodies that are seen as in need of fixing. The money raised does not go to funding wheelchairs, ramps, or lawyers for discrimination suits. The money is used to ‘cure’ bodies that are deemed in need of a cure but “it’s not our bodies that need curing. Rather, it is ableism—disability oppression, as reflected in high unemployment rates, lack of access, gawking, substandard education, being forced to live in nursing homes and back rooms, being seen as childlike and asexual—that needs changing” (Clare). It is the ableist mindset that needs to be troubled, which is evident in both articles. We don’t need to cure bodies that we see as different. In fact, these differences are part of identity. We need to work to trouble our views on what bodies are considered normal and continue to make everything accessible for all people.
References
Clare, E. (2001). Stolen Bodies, Reclaimed Bodies: Disability and Queerness. Public Culture, 13, 359-365. Retrieved from https://muse-jhu-edu.libproxy.uregina.ca/article/26252/pdf
Goodley, D., & Runswick-Cole, K. (2016). Becoming dishuman: Thinking about the human through dis/ability. Discourse: Studies in the Cultural Politics of Education, 37(1), 1-15. doi:10.1080/01596306.2014.930021
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Hi Brooke,
Your reading response on ‘(Dis)ability’ opened my eyes to a variety of new ways that I can consider viewing disability and in part, encourage others to do so as well. You integrated strong theory in your blog post that supported your opinions and dug deeper into the concept of dis/ability. The quote from Clare, stating what does and does not need changing in regard to disability, really caught my attention as these are common traits that we see in society; and rather than focusing on a ‘curing’ aspect for individuals who may experience a disability, we need to fix the negative stigmas and actions that society has developed around the chosen topic.
As you may be aware, I am a nursing student and have enrolled in ECS 110 as an elective; however, this topic is something I have grown to become very passionate about as I have worked with many patients/clients who have been recognized as disabled. And as we have learned, the allocations such as stigmas, negative traits, and belittling expressions that have been associated with these individuals often lead a majority of our population to choose, when they view them. Whereas, I have learned a wide range of new skills, traits and perspectives from these unique individuals that have shaped me into a better person and has taught me to focus on the good in life, even when everything around me may tell me to do otherwise. Therefore, rather than viewing such as ‘out of the norm’ or ‘not capable’ or ‘different’, we should respect their uniqueness and learn from them.
Society often takes the easy way out by always focusing on the negative, but why not, for once, look at the positive and disregard what we consider ‘normal’? When you state, “We need to work to trouble our views on what bodies are considered normal and continue to make everything accessible for all people” is a strong statement that I could not agree more with. In addition, we need to accept that circumstances that are portrayed as ‘out of the norm’ does not automatically deserve a negative view. To conclude, society needs to give their heads a shake and disregard that although the prefix ‘dis’ means not, we do not have to agree or accept what negative stigmas go along with it.
-Erin Doerksen
Erin, you make some great points! I am also passionate about this topic and was fortunate to grow up with more understanding than some may have. I agree that we need to continue to look at the positive and disregard what we consider normal. When I was younger the paratransit would bring my grandpa from his care home to my grandma’s house when I would visit, and I never considered this to be abnormal because that was just the reality I knew. It is when we grow up and are conditioned to learn these things and give them negative connotations that we begin to have this negative view. Like you said in your comment “To conclude, society needs to give their heads a shake and disregard that although the prefix ‘dis’ means not, we do not have to agree or accept what negative stigmas go along with it.” Thank you for your insightful comment!
This was a very well written article Brooke! A topic that is close to my heart as I watch family members struggle and watch get judged. “Disabilities do not need to be fixed or cured, and they are not a tragedy; instead, this is just the way society has taught us to view disability.” This is so true, as a society we feel bad, we sympathize and make those who aren’t abled feel like they are much less than how they already feel! As able bodied people we do think about making ‘cures’ which is great and all however we don’t learn to adapt, we try to figure out how to fix them as we don’t want to change our current style in which we do things, even though adapting wouldn’t affect us we just don’t like the idea of change. Even things such as bathrooms in malls aren’t big enough, seats aren’t high enough, the idea of including these people are great but no one ever asks what they need or how the adaptations would work in their favour! I love how you quoted and took ideas from the text and included them in your post! I also strongly agree that the ‘dis’ is a prefix and that’s all it is, the term doesn’t change the person, it gives them character that is no different that us!
Thank you for your comment, Cassidy! I like how you brought up the issue of change. You are right it isn’t the adapting that we are afraid of it is the change. Changes like bigger bathrooms and higher seats would not negatively affect our lives, but we are scared of change. I also like the point you made about how we sympathize with those with differing abilities, which makes them feel pitied. Our search for a cure only furthers this notion, when funding could be going towards ramps, lifts, or lawyers for discrimination cases. Thank you for sharing your thoughts! Stay safe!
Hi Brooke, wonderful post!
Something that initially caught my eye in your post was the sentence “people view disabled and human as opposites.” I hadn’t thought about it in this light before, and as awful as it may be, it holds a lot of truth. The harsh reality, like you say, is that unless you fit societies idea of “normally” functioning, you are automatically seen as something different. Whether you are seen as unique, special, or disabled, you are no longer viewed as “human” and that is defiantly something that needs to be changed.
I am a strong believer that disabilities should not always be seen as a horrible tragedy. Some of the most talented and intellectual people in our world live with disabilities, only they tend to get extra recognition because people think that it’s a “miracle” that they can do what they do. I think one example of this is an autistic boy named Kodi Lee who was on America’s Got Talent. He was a phenomenal singer and gained a following quite quickly. People recognized his talent, but there were also many comments being made that he would get the “sympathy vote.” In my eyes, this isn’t okay, and it is because of the way society has sculpted people to view disabilities that we have people who make comments like that. People immediately felt sorry for him, and sorry for what he had to go through. In my eyes, Kodi was an extremely talented and strong person, and I think more people should have embraced his disability as something to be celebrated rather than something to feel sorry for.
Finding a “cure” for disabled people isn’t the right way to look at it either, and I like the way you’ve outlined that in your post. I think that when people view something as ” not normal” they automatically want to jump to something that will “fix” it. It makes them feel more comfortable knowing that there is a “solution” or “cure” to this “abnormal” thing. Last summer I worked as a camp councillor for kids with special needs. It was really eye opening taking the kids out in the community and doing different activities with them. Some people had odd reactions, and other people would watch us take the kids out of their wheelchairs and into the pool and look like they were going to cry. Unfortunately, there is a lot of negative response because of the way disability has been engraved in society today. However, I think you summed it up perfectly in saying, “these differences are part of their identity.” They make them who they are, and society needs to begin viewing that as something to be proud of!
Hey Karley, thanks for your comment! I agree with how you say people give special recognition to those with differing abilities because they see it as a “miracle” that they can do essentially what others can do. I also remember seeing Kodi Lee on America’s Got Talent, but I didn’t follow it too closely. It is awful that people felt he was only there because of sympathy votes. I like how you said ” People immediately felt sorry for him, and sorry for what he had to go through. In my eyes, Kodi was an extremely talented and strong person, and I think more people should have embraced his disability as something to be celebrated rather than something to feel sorry for.” These differences would make up his identity, and make him who he is, just as singing is part of his identity. It is not the differing ability that needs to be fixed, it is society’s view on people with differences.
Hi Brooke,
Your article is a complex one and covers many points of dis/ability concept. I agree with your observation that “Disabilities do not need to be fixed or cured, and they are not a tragedy; instead, this is just the way society has taught us to view disability.” Educators play a huge role because they can influence the new generation’s view, and they can teach the students about everyone’s purpose. The teachers, from all levels, have to form new norms for the pupils to create a new conception of the next generations. More precisely, everyone has the right to choose how to live, and everyone has a small role in society. The fact that the schools have inclusive classrooms, the facilities have accommodation for everyone, and the fact that more and more people advocate “to repair bodies that are seen as in need of fixing” are great signs. It represents a start for a long road that needs a lot of persistence and activism from all society’s structures.
Hi Victor! Thank you for your comment! I like the point you make about how educators have a huge role because they can influence a new generation’s view! We can show students different viewpoints they may never have thought of before. Just wondering if you are maybe confused when you said repairing bodies that are seen as in need of fixing is a great sign? We don’t need to fix peoples bodies that we see as different, rather we need to fix society’s view on the issue. Let me know if I am reading it wrong!