Now we have a choice: focus on identity issues, or do what is right for everyone. Good luck, world.
The trouble with that statement is that it’s always the people in power deciding what “benefits everyone” and what is “identity issues”.
For example, you can make an extremely solid argument that a focus on disability rights benefits everyone, since most people are various kinds of disabled at various points in their lives and adaptations benefit everyone now (curb cut effect). Also, we are still experiencing a global health event that is leaving random people with serious long term health issues.
However, the discourse around it in the media absolutely not that. Why? Because power, that’s why. The people that pull the strings want to spend the money in other ways, so disability rights are framed as extravagant luxuries that only benefit a minority. Meanwhile they keep systems in place that lock disabled people in government enforced poverty while the companies that pay them below minimum wage get tax breaks.
I know. As individuals, our scope is limited. Mutual aid, direct action is probably the best option, for the foreseeable future. In some areas, it’s herding cats.
The trouble with that statement is that it’s always the people in power deciding what “benefits everyone” and what is “identity issues”.
For example, you can make an extremely solid argument that a focus on disability rights benefits everyone, since most people are various kinds of disabled at various points in their lives and adaptations benefit everyone now (curb cut effect). Also, we are still experiencing a global health event that is leaving random people with serious long term health issues.
However, the discourse around it in the media absolutely not that. Why? Because power, that’s why. The people that pull the strings want to spend the money in other ways, so disability rights are framed as extravagant luxuries that only benefit a minority. Meanwhile they keep systems in place that lock disabled people in government enforced poverty while the companies that pay them below minimum wage get tax breaks.
I know. As individuals, our scope is limited. Mutual aid, direct action is probably the best option, for the foreseeable future. In some areas, it’s herding cats.