More from the best
Two “money quotes” from a review of Martha Nussbaums “Frontiers of Justice: Disability,Nationality,Species Membership.”
[People with disabilities] “…should nevertheless be considered full citizens entitled to dignified lives, even if no one could gain from cooperating with them. She notes that the social contract tradition has always denied the reality of dependency, despite the obvious fact that everyone is dependent on others during infancy, old age, injury, and illness. “
and,
“…Historically women have done most of the largely unpaid work of caring for dependents, so by ignoring women, the social contract theorists conveniently evaded the thorny issue of justice for dependents and caregivers. Nussbaum argues that justice for people with disabilities should include whatever special arrangements are required for them to lead a dignified life, and the work of caring for them should be socially recognized, fairly distributed, and fairly compensated…”
[Emphasis mine. My only quibble with Nussbaum is, I'd rather that the obstacles we face *not* be lumped in with the neglect of animals. It reinforces the idea that we are some sort of socieatal "pet" or "Pillow Angel" that needs tending.]
For the last three and so years as a country, America has seen fit to write “blank checks” for war and arms profiteering.
But the idea that “whatever special arrangements are required for [PWD's] to lead a dignified life…” is simply a necessary part of this nation and the world’s business…
Supporters of limited government of course oppose any such thing. (They do of course, admit to the ADA and other international laws being binding [but they call it a 'bad law'], and avow concern for people with disabilities, certainly, a concern that is geniuine for many of them, as far as it goes)… but when *that concern* comes into conflict with governmental or political or ideological concerns that they cherish….adherence to those tenents voids out any recognition of the cold hard fact of dependence, for *every human being* who does not die in their youth or prime. They will have some *time of dependence* short or long in their lives.
There is no shame in that, no disgrace.
Recognition of that, funding of that and ceasing to *whine* about that in various ways, is what those who favor limited government need to look in the face and get done.
If you are a longtime disability activist person
Go to this post at the Gimp Parade and think about connecting/submitting.
It feels so good to have something like this conference to cheer about…
Disability Study
A window into how the author interprets the way those with impairment “self represent” in the blogosphere per the article…unfortunately no trackbacks to the articles sources. Interesting.
From an email I recieved…
from a good friend who guessed that I might be dealing with enough offline stuff not to be blogging like mad.
“TOWN HALL MEETINGDecember 13, 20051640 W. Roosevelt RoadAuditorium4 P.M. – 5:30 P.M.”History is the archives of human experiences, and of the thoughts ofpast generations; history is our collective memory.”-Historian GerdaLernerWhat should the Chicago Disability History Exhibit look like? You tellus!Local disability organizations, activists, and scholars are invited todiscuss the upcoming Chicago Fair for Disability Arts & Culture(city-wide from April 20 to 30) and, in particular, the ChicagoDisability History Exhibit (April-June 2006).Project coordinators will be on hand to explain these events and tocultivate ideas for events/things/people that should be included in theChicago Disability History exhibit so that it truly reflects ourcollective memory and the range of triumphs and struggles that make updisability experience and culture. The town meeting will function as aninitial brainstorming session amongst those who have lived the history.However, a critical goal of this project is to solicit input andmaintain an on-going critique of the exhibit throughout its formationand display.Your participation is key to the success of this important endeavor,which seeks to preserve, honor, and protect Chicago’s rich and diversehistory of people with disability.For further information, please call 312-413-1975, or e-mail DavidMitchell (dmitchel@uic.edu), Sharon Snyder (ssnyder@uic.edu) or SharonLamp (slamp1@uic.edu). Captioning will be provided.”
