Post 4/16 class post

I was particularly interested in the conversations we had this week as they related to performance and identity.  We discussed how some of the author's we've read identify as "Crip," which can be very powerful.  While someone might be surprised with the adoption of what can be considered a pejorative term, this is not all that uncommon.

There are various groups of individuals who have been marginalized in one way or another, who re-claim and take ownership of terms that are highly charged.  Claiming and representing a culture, perhaps in the way it "should" or "deserves" to be represented is a bold move.  To me it kind of says, "we're tired of the BS" we are taking control of the ways in which we are defined, viewed, and represented.

On a related note, we spoke about whether or not it matters if the authors of the essays we read were or were not part of the culture.  To me is extremely important.  I've found the academic culture, especially in the law school, to be very problematic when it comes to disability.  We have some people who need accommodations for testing or for class, and generally, I've found that there is a certain quiet disrespect for individuals who are in that situation.  This is yet another attitudinal barrier.

So, having this book that all PWD wrote makes a difference because PWD in any context shouldn’t have to feel any less or feel as though they have to hide this portion of his/her identity.  Shouldn’t have to conceal, or not report, etc.  We need to acknowledge and accept how people self-identify and respect that.  

As Prof. Peace alluded to in class, the BODY really comes out of this.  How does the body identify, it is any person with an atypical body.  This isn't just about disability it is about difference.  It’s about the different body.  And the book we read this week, Criptiques, really pushed the envelope about disability and identity.

We shouldn't all be expected to fit into one type of performance.