Apathy Could Be the Root of Most Disablism

May 1st, 2011
by Lateef McLeod

I sincerely do not think most disablism comes from people’s hate or dislike of the disability community. In fact, anyone who professed outward hatred toward people with disabilities I have no doubt would be immediately vilified by the American public. The true root of disablism lies in the general public’s apathy of what people with disabilities are actually going through and the ways that society needs to change to accommodate their needs. So the most effective way we can confront disablism in society is then to make the lives of people with disabilities prevalent in and relevant to mainstream society.

People show their apathy for the disability community in a variety of ways. I remember one time when I went up to Sacramento to protest budget cuts to In Home Support Services (IHSS), and a part of the group I was with committed an act of disobedience by blocking a main thoroughfare next to the capitol, and eventually got arrested. I was able to catch the comments of some of the bystanders who watched this scenario play out, and they did not get the sense of urgency that these people with disabilities had to block the street. They couldn’t comprehend why IHSS, which most of the people at the protest used to employ their personal care assistants (PCAs) who assist them in leading independent lives, was so important.

There has been a growing movement recently to educate the public about the disability community. The It’s Our Story Project was created to educate the public about the historical life experiences of leaders of the disability rights movement by making their testimonials available on YouTube. There is a whole YouTube channel dedicated to videos of the project. Viewing these videos, people will have a greater understanding of what the disability community had to go through to enjoy the rights we now have. Another organization, which is similar to the It’s Our Story Project, is I Believe Inc., an organization dedicated to exhibiting what is possible in the disability community. Professor X, a hip-hop emcee who is a quadriplegic, started this organization to highlight the different activities people with disabilities can do. Organizations like It’s Our Story Project and I Believe Inc. are leading the way in redefining for the public what it means to be disabled.

I think with education and more awareness of the disability community, more people will comprehend and might even get behind our struggles for a more equal society for people with disabilities. We need as many people as we can to support us as we continue to stand up for the rights and privileges that we deserve. Soon, I hope, people will not stand on the sidelines as we fight against disablism, but stand alongside us. That’s my view of the Bay.

Posted on May 1st, 2011 | 2 Comments »