I consider myself very lucky for getting the chance to know Kitay Davidson and Im heartbroken by his passing away last night. I honestly dont know what to say, except that Kitay made all of us better and made this world a better place, and that his memory and influence will live on forever. My heart goes out to the American University Debate Society tonight. I invite anyone who didnt have the privilege of meeting Kitay to read one of his written works, which influenced the way I think about the world: * * * The question shouldn’t be: how can we decrease the amount of people with disabilities in society or how can I receive money to pay for my child’s accommodations via a lawsuit? Rather, how do we build an inclusive society that centers self-determination and opportunity through valuing, prioritizing and affirming all ways of existing and experiencing? There’s no arguing: disability is a genetic variation and part of human diversity. Disabilities will always be an aspect of the human experience. Who can say that they won’t be disabled at some point in their life? You can’t. That said, let’s be clear: ableism is a result of the commodification of the human experience, or capitalism. That is, capitalism has saturated law and society so intensely that it begins to define “functioning” and “whole” by one’s capacity for “economic productivity” (within a system that is already structured to highly benefit those who are resourced, white and male). Notice the correlation between human worth and “wholeness” as defined through strictly capitalist paradigms. Ableism is perpetuating a “normalized” and narrow standard of a valuable human experience; only certain types of functioning, experiencing, producing and living in our society can be esteemed. You and I are worth more than our production. Your body, my body is more than a means to an end. We need to challenge and really talk about who receives dignity and value in society, and to start naming the grotesque nature of ableism. We can and do exist uniquely. Disability is diversity and diversity is beautiful. Does disability have challenges? Ask the person. For me, yes. Am I still worthy of care, dignity and love? Always. Disablement comes from a lack of inclusion, a strict adherence to ‘normalcy’, and the inability to value other types of ways that people move, understand and experience the world. Too often, people feel wrongful birth lawsuits are justified due to the financial burden of raising a disabled child. How about reforming healthcare, education, housing, etc. to eradicate institutional ableism that creates these financial hardships? * * * Thank you Kitay. #RestinPower #DisabilitySolidarity
Posted on: Thu, 04 Dec 2014 05:02:21 +0000
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