Text: Dis/ability critical race studies (DisCrit): Theorizing at the intersections of race and dis/ability
Author: S. Annamma, D. Connor, & B. Ferri
Author: S. Annamma, D. Connor, & B. Ferri
The article, Dis/ability critical race studies (Discrit): Theorizing at the intersections of race and dis/ability argues that race and dis/ability are two interlocking systems of oppression that negatively impact individuals in society and education. According to the article, students of color are more likely to be segregated from their peers to receive specialized instruction than white students. The article states, "dis/ability justifies segregation and unequal treatment for students of color compared to their white counterparts"(7). The practice of segregating students based on race and dis/ability aligns with the ideas presented in the 13th documentary.
(Click the picture for more information)The 13th documentary suggests that there has been a perpetuation of systems of oppression throughout history such as, slavery to lynching, lynching to Jim Crow, and so on. The 13th amendment states that slavery and involuntary servitude is against the law EXCEPT for punishment for a crime. Segregating students with a dis/ability who are black or brown "would be illegal if based upon race but is allowed or [ACCEPTED] because dis/ability is seen as "real" rather than a constructed difference" (13). Labeling people based on race, gender, or dis/ability has become a normalized practice in American culture and in turn, fuels systems of oppression in society and education which directly impact employment, housing, and educational policy. The practice of segregating black and brown students labeled with a dis/ability in schools is uncomfortably similar to the practice of segregating black and brown adults from their families within the prison system.
Text: Examined Life
Author: Judith Butler & Sunaura Taylor
The documentary, The Examined Life, continues the discussion on how the practice of creating norms for appearance, movement, and gender sustains systems of oppression in society. Socially constructed groups or labels tend to "socially repress" or impose limits on people with dis/abilities in relation to employment, public transportation, housing, and education. In the documentary, Sanaura Taylor states, "in those in between moments of male and female, death and health... when do you still count as a human?" The struggle of balancing oneself between socially constructed ideas of normal (i.e. male/female, black/white, heterosexual,/homosexual, etc.) aligns with the concept of a "borderland" presented by Anzaldúa. The borderland is a metaphor for the place in which intersection occur between systems of oppression such as gender and dis/ability. It is in this space, that groups of oppressed people continually find themselves; navigating between the idea of "normal" and their own unique and individual realities.
Despite the fact that these systems of oppression have become normalized in our society and culture, Judith Butler poses an introspective question at the end of the documentary, "Do we or do we not live in a world where we assist one another [despite socially imposed labels]?" Butler suggests that even though this system is deemed "normal" it not acceptable or equitable. Butler challenges viewers to think past the norm and think in terms of humanity; shifting gears from an individualistic society to a more collectivist one.
Hi Shannon. I like how you formed a connection between the documentary 13th and this reading. Oppression is seen within both the reading and documentary. It is sad that labeling people based on race, gender, and dis/ability has been "normalized". Why is this accepted? Why do individuals label others? This leads to discrimination and harm in many ways. I agree with your statement in regards to the similarity of segregation within schools to the prison system. This is alarming and disturbing at the same time. How have we allowed segregation to occur in schools? Schools are supposed to be a safe space for all individuals to learn. I agree with your statement about "the struggle of balancing oneself between socially constructed ideas of normal". Why does society create these "norms"? Why can't we be inclusive of everyone and every type of belief? This idea of acceptance is a struggle within todays society. I like the idea you mentioned from Butler about thinking in terms of humanity. When will our views as a world shift towards this? I hope soon, for the sake of future generations.
ReplyDeleteHi Andriana--Thank you for your questions and comments.
DeleteI think that I was able to make the connection between the reading and the 13th documentary because this normalizing process started hundreds of years ago. Scientists researched and defined particular races as inferior based on genetics or physical appearance (i.e. Mendel).
Segregation in any faction race, gender, dis/ability, etc. is "accepted" because this process of categorizing people has been the norm from the beginning. I think segregation is used to fuel human ego and speaks to the notion that (it seems) humans have an innate need for competition and or dominance over others in order to feel valued.
Hi Shannon. Wow!!! Our perspectives on this week's readings and video are so very similar as I , too, made a very strong connection to how the education system aides in the mass incarceration of black and brown men, I totally agree with your statement that, "Labeling people based on race, gender, or dis/ability has become a normalized practice in American culture and in turn, fuels systems of oppression in society and education which directly impact employment, housing, and educational policy." However, what baffles me is how the privileged don't see this or believe that it is indeed true. And, I do NOT know when they ever will. That's the sad part. It's unfortunate that our supposedly GREAT country has built a society based on the ideal that measures everyone else's ability according to the norms of the dominant, white class. As the DISCRIT reading mentioned, white society is at the top, blacks and browns are at the bottom and every other race is in the middle. Then when you add a dis/ability into the mix, it becomes even more complicated as we saw in the video: Examined Life with Sunaura Taylor. She really enlightened us on how the dis/abled also experience social repressions. So, it's true. How can we ever expect the World to recognize that we are all human if everyone doesn't start to embrace diversity and at the same time question the norms that create differences? To me, that is the key to equality. Do you agree or disagree?
ReplyDeleteMadameDuffaut-- Thank you for your thoughts!
ReplyDeleteI do agree that in a PERFECT world, equality could be obtained if everyone would embrace the differences that people have and question the systems we have in place but, we do not live in a perfect world.
White individuals often do not see the privileges they have because they are not extra or special, these privileges are their "norm." They do not realize that their "norms" are vastly different than others "norms" and that most black and brown people do not have access to the same resources, privileges, or support systems that white people do.
In order to move closer to equality, we need to continue to highlight systems of oppression, emphasize examples of white privilege, and educate ourselves and others about the past and present in order to have a future that is more inclusive and understanding of differences in gender, race, or dis/ability.