I am a disabled woman. This does not mean I represent all disabled people. This does not mean I have always identified as disabled. This does not mean that I was born with an innate knowledge of the disability community and its history.
Currently the amazing Black Lives Matter Movement is growing rapidly. Unfortunately with that is exposure to how people misconstrue liberation movements and the people at the heart of them. I will be writing about my experiences of joining the disability liberation movement. Whilst this is not directly about the Black Lives Matter Movement a lot of this post was inspired by an article by Robin DiAngelo about the lack of White engagement in discussions about race. Reading that it was clear to me that a lot of this lack of engagement, from abled people, is also something that the disability liberation movement faces.
How I came to be involved in the disability liberation movement
Before I got involved I struggled to identify as disabled as a result of internalised ableism; society rarely acknowledges mental illnesses as disabilities. I struggled to identify the stigma I experienced as a disabled person, so I accepted it rather than challenging it. In order to have the future I wanted I had to join the liberation movement. Those who are not oppressed have a choice as to whether or not to join the movement.
Education
Before joining the movement, I had no knowledge of disability history, or the current rights disabled people have in this country. Why is this important? I had to take the time to learn the foundations of the movement in order to engage and understand it, as any member of any liberation movement would have to do. The onus should not be on the oppressed to educate those who are not oppressed. We all have to learn, some more than others but it is an experience that we should engage with together. To those who feel their lack of knowledge is a barrier to them joining a movement, a key part being in the movement is learning. Despite experiencing ableism first hand prior to joining the liberation movement, I did not have the knowledge to identify it. I was oppressed but I was far from an expert on oppression.
You do not need to have experienced discrimination to be informed on the matter, you do need to listen to others who have experienced it in order to learn. You should not expect someone from an oppressed community to share their experiences of oppression with you, it is a privilege to hear their stories, not a right.
Representation
Having disabled people lead the disability liberation movement is so important, especially in a society where disabled people are often underrepresented. By becoming an ally, listening to others and championing the struggles the community faces you can spread this movement further, sometimes to communities that are inaccessible to those being oppressed. Provided you listen to those leading the movement and act in accordance with them and most importantly value their voices you have the chance to aid the movement.
It is important to note that coming to understand the disabled community requires more than listening and understanding the experiences of one person. You should not rely on one person to inform your understanding of the disability community. Experiences of disability are often incredibly personal, the community is diverse and only listening to one disabled person would fail to account for the intersectionality that is such an important part of the community.
How the liberation movement changed my life
With the knowledge and experiences I had acquired I could then call out ableism, not just ableism that directly affected me but ableism that affected others. People outside the liberation movement need to realise that advocating for the rights of others is at the heart of the movement. Even if you are oppressed in certain ways, those within the group who oppressed in other ways are equally important and valued. Listening to others and understanding their pain is at the heart of it and is something everyone has to do, disabled or abled.
You do not have to be oppressed to join a liberation movement. Every individual within a liberation movement, regardless of whether they are oppressed or not, has taken the time to listen to others, educate themselves and stand up for others. Certain issues within the liberation group may not affect you regardless of whether or not you are oppressed. Liberation groups, however, seek equality for all. If you value equality please join them, be respectful of them and speak up for their rights.
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