“Overcoming” Your Disability Is An Ableist Narrative And I’m Disappointed To See It Perpetuated

“Overcoming” your disability is an ableist narrative and I’m disappointed to see it perpetuated by able-bodied people, but especially by disabled people who refuse to check their internalized ableism. This idea insinuates you have to become or act like you aren’t disabled in order to succeed. It holds non-disabled people as the norm, as the ideal for disabled people to aspire to. This is the very definition of ableism, which is discrimination in favor of non-disabled people. Successful disabled people are still disabled. They have not overcome their disability. They may have overcome fears, systemic barriers, or circumvented obstacles non-disabled people don’t have, but they are still disabled. Overcoming disability is not a supportive or truly positive notion.

If you aren’t disabled, stop telling us what is and isn’t ableism, no matter how good or harmless it seems to you. We know more about the nuances of the situation than you do. Listen to us and accept what we tell you. Do not use arguments that occur among disabled people to prop up your own harmful ideas.

If you are disabled in some way (or if others might consider you disabled and discriminate against you), examine where your ideas came from. Trace your logic. Examine the messages your culture, friends, or family have given you and consider their impact on your values. Consider how these values may uphold ableism without you realizing it. Consider that success and hard work are not straight lines for everyone and may look different from specific tasks or people. Consider that others may have to deal with other physical, mental, or systemic barriers that you may not.

This post originated from an expirience I had with eye strain, with some people telling me to push through when there was no reason to push through and I needed a break.Those who told me to push through valued productivity instead of my health. This is not directed at any one person, especially not online. I simply wanted to share my thoughts and the wider reasoning behind why I was pressured and given disapproval when I decided to take a break.

If I do something where my blindness was an obstacle, I am still blind. I didn’t overcome my disability. I overcame ableism, both external and internal. Sometimes, like with writing this blog, my disability is not often an obstacle and so if someone were to say I overcame my disability to write it, I would be confused. Maybe even feel as if they were focusing on my disability rather than my small success.

Non-disabled people can reblog, but do not add any comments in the reblogs or replies. If you have a question, send me an ask. I will answer only if it is polite and coming from a good place.

Systemic Oppression

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/06/7-steps-organisations-corporations-uproot-systemic-racism-workplace-diversity-leadership-intersectionality/What is Systemic Oppression?

According to Glenn Harris, the president of Race Forward, systemic oppression is "the complex interaction of culture, policy and institutions that holds in place the outcomes we see in our lives." Although many people will word it differently, systemic oppression is in essence the oppression of marginalized communities through laws and systems designed in favour of the majority. Systemic oppression exists across institutions

Efforts to combat systemic oppression?

https://www.un.org/en/observances/decade-people-african-descent/actions-taken - Please read this article, it is a pretty good rundown of measures taken by the international community against systemic oppression.

What can you do to help combat systemic Oppression? (I will be creating a seperate post elaborating on this)

Take an active stand against racism

Educate yourself and others

Advocate to your elected officials

Remember to do better

Recognize intersectionality

Help to raise funds for organizations

Sign petitions and share petitions

Recognize your own privilege

Resources

https://www.nationalequityproject.org/frameworks/lens-of-systemic-oppression#:~:text=Systemic%20oppression%20is%20systematic%20and,%2C%20language%2C%20etc.).

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/06/15/systemic-racism-what-does-mean/5343549002/

https://www.ywcacolumbus.org/what-we-do/ignite-the-community/advocacy/action-steps/

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/06/7-steps-organisations-corporations-uproot-systemic-racism-workplace-diversity-leadership-intersectionality/

https://www.nichq.org/insight/taking-racial-responsibility-personally-systems-improvement-work

https://justcapital.com/news/what-companies-can-do-to-combat-systemic-racism-against-black-colleagues-in-the-workplace/

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fights-for-equality

4 years ago

Blog Feedback

Please don't swear this is a school project. I need to show my teachers this. Blog Link: https://fights-for-equality.tumblr.com/

I would appreciate it if someone could fill this out

Tagging a couple of people: hope y’all can spread it around a bit pls

@greek-mythographer @glitch-in-space @cattaralol @my-apollo-gies @lavmars @whump-time-babey @mad--chesh @simple-but-effectiveee

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fights-for-equality

4 years ago

Warning Signs of a Cult

The Leader is the ultimate authority

The group suppresses skepticism

The group de-legitimizes former members

The group is paranoid about the outside world

The group relies on shame cycles

The leader is above the law

The group uses “thought reform” methods

The group is elitist

There is no financial transparency

The group performs secret rites

Cults are often sneaky, manipulative and appear to be legitimate organizations run by reputable people. Although there seems to be misconception that cults can only appeal to people who are a part of minority religions. This is not the case, many members of a cult are well-off and privileged people. Cults prey on emotional vulnerability in order to control their followers.

Source: https://blog.usejournal.com/10-signs-youre-probably-in-a-cult-1921eb5a3857

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fights-for-equality

4 years ago

Sexism Pt.1

What is Sexism?

According to the dictionary, sexism is the prejudice, stereotyping, or discrimination, typically against women, on the basis of sex.

What is Gender Inequality?

“The social process by which men and women are not treated as equals. The treatment may arise from distinctions regarding biology, psychology or cultural norms. “ – Wikipedia

As you can see, both of these definitions are fairly cis-normative, not acknowledging individuals of other sexes and genders. However, they do provide a good starting point in order to begin understanding the minefield that is gender inequality.

Cultural Differences

Since our planet is huge and there are several countries on the face of the planet, it stands to reason that there would be different priorities and different cultural expectations when it comes to gender.

This also means that political methods and the appropriate actions to be taken will differ across cultures. Dangers to activists can also change across cultures from career ruination to acceptance in the community to threats to personal safety.

TO ANYONE CHATTING TO SOMEONE ONLINE

If you are considering meeting up with someone online use this trick identify who really are who they claim to be:

1. Ask them to Skype 2. If they refuse or can’t for some reason ask for a current selfie 3. If they also refuse or can’t do not meet up with them 4. If they provide one ask them to send another with them holding 3 fingers up 5. If they refuse read step 3 6. If they provide a selfie where they show 3 fingers they are probably for real

(If you’re still unconvinced try again with them drawing something in their hand)

I SAY THIS FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY please spread this message as more and more young people are lured out into situations where they get kidnapped because they weren’t 100% sure the person they were talking to was real.

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