From this week’s readings I can already tell that my views about who society pegs as “disabled” are changing. It’s obvious that there are inequalities in society, there always have been and sadly I think there always will be. But reading Baynton made me realize that difference is a disability in the eyes of society: “…not only has it been considered justifiable to treat disabled people unequally, but the concept of disability has been used to justify discrimination against other groups by attributing disability to them,”(33). I never considered myself disabled by being a woman, but the more I think about it, struggles of inequality for women have always been based on difference, just like struggles based on race or physical disability. However I find it heartening that those that are different can find commonality in their differences, and this sense of unity has led to areas of reform and progress.
I find it shocking that in the past few centuries, the basis for being normal or not disabled has been “the male norm,”(33). Although the obvious differences between males and females are physical, those in power have pulled the wool over the public’s eyes by attributing constructed differences as disabilities. The same process was repeated to invoke racial inequality and immigration restrictions as well.
My question is: Why does being “normal” lead to thoughts of progress? Why couldn’t people in the past view a future of progress based on the unique perspectives and talents of different groups of people? I guess that human nature is partly to blame, that gaining power at all costs is more important than including everyone in the grand scheme of things. I have never knowingly experienced discrimination based on being a woman, but if and when I do I don’t know how I’ll feel. I’ll probably remember this article and be proud of my “disabilities” because I’ll understand that “disabled” in a certain individual’s eyes can simply mean that I am threatening their innate sense of domination.
