Disability representation and inclusion advocate, Imani Barbarin, created the hashtag #UHateDisabledPeople on Twitter, and it's worth a read.
https://www.buzzfeed.com/ryanschocket2/people-sharing-ableist-instances
#UHateDisabledPeople
Sat, 2020-01-25 20:57
#1
#UHateDisabledPeople
Sun, 2020-01-26 16:09
#2
This is the kind of excess that just gives the left a bad name. Being rude and inconsiderate doesn't mean you hate people it just means you are rude and inconsiderate. The man whose wife is in a wheelchair doesn't hate disabled people. He has a problem with people who don't need handicapped spots using one. He is ignorant in that he doesn't understand that disablity doesn't necessarily mean wheelchair.
Mon, 2020-01-27 03:49
#3
Agree, but this has nothing to do with "the left".
Mon, 2020-01-27 07:11
#4
Hahahaha... when I saw that Pondering had posted a response yesterday, I didn't even need to click on the thread to know what her response would be.
Thanks for proving the point, you two. "All Lives Matter" and "Not All Men" too, amirite?
So, if you've bothered to actually peruse the hashtag, you'll already know that disabled folks have addressed patronizing comments like yours.
"If you tone police a marginalized group while they voice real concerns about their general well being being instead of actually listening to what they have to say #UHateDisabledPeople" - @HufflepuffLord
"When you try and minimize disabled people's voices, #UHateDisabledPeople" - @Chronically_Meg
"No because we need a place and a way to talk about the discrimination we face. I can tell you so many stories about horrible things I've had to deal with. Please dont come into a discussion and try to take over the voices of disabled people. Listen, you might learn something." - @tiffey98
"This tag was created for disabled people to share our experiences of oppression. Please don't act like that's a bad thing." - @A_Silent_Child
"It’s always hilarious to me that people end up being more offended by a “strong word” than they are about the actual abuse & mistreatment that disabled and marginalized people face everyday." - @d_vaz
"Lol nah. Let's not pretend ableism doesn't exist and gaslight disabled people even more than we already do." - @emilyjamar
"If you tone police disabled people on social media for being exhausted, angry & frustrated with a world that indirectly & actively discriminates against them trying to access work, healthcare or just their local community #UHateDisabledPeople" - @BlondeHistorian
"If you think hate is too strong a word & tone-police #disabled people calling out #ableist bullshit for what it is, #UHateDisabledPeople." - @WheelsofSteer
"A message to those saying #UHateDisabledPeople is ineffective: we are TIRED of being gentle with folks who don’t give a damn about our oppression. We’re allowed to be angry and we’re allowed to show it and we’re allowed to force people to examine their privilege." - @hmkerstetter
Tue, 2020-01-28 15:11
#5
If the point is to vent then it's fine. Venting is useful. If the point is to communicate needs and have them addressed then it's failing.
My focus is on promoting understanding and specific changes that directly improve the lives of people who are struggling be it from physical handicaps, race, sex, class or any other disadvantage.
It seems logical to believe that by berating others they will be motivated to better behavior but it isn't human nature. The more likely response is rejection not listening.
I have no reason or motivation to go read messages from people berating me and accusing me of being hateful. I am not inspired to listen. I'm put on the defensive.
I was inspired to listen to disabled people on youtube answer questions that would be rude to ask. It was really interesting and did increase my understanding of the practical nature of the barriers they face.
Education is more productive than attack.
Tue, 2020-02-04 16:27
#6
The point of all this is to say that ableism does exist on the left and that it doesn’t in any way get us closer to our goals, but instead further oppresses an already marginalized group. You can’t say “Eat the Rich” if you don’t include disabled people in your activism. By excluding disabled folks, you’re fundamentally leaving out a group acutely affected by the capitalism that leftists claim to abhor.
https://wearyourvoicemag.com/news-politics/eat-the-rich-disabled-people-...
Thu, 2020-12-31 17:50
#7
I Was Unprepared For 2020 by Imani Barbarin
You want well-wishes for the new year? I have none. As I write this, hospitals around the country are reaching capacity. Our healthcare system is in collapse, but you will demand inspiration because that is the agreement of goods and services, we have found ourselves in. Right? Inspiration is the currency you use in exchange for pretending to care to keep us alive. Unfortunately, you could not keep up your end of the agreement. So we find ourselves at an impasse.
For 2021, my attention will be solely focused on the needs of my community and the ways I want to grow. This agreement is no more. I unsubscribe. I may have survived this pandemic until now, but living with this level of callousness all around me has stolen so much from I and other disabled people mentally. I haven’t been able to find the words I needed to describe any of this. So as you demand for this year to end so your cognitive dissonance can tell you that all of the badness of 2020 is behind you, the only words I can seem to muster for you for your 2021 are these two: good luck. You don’t deserve more than that.
Thu, 2020-12-31 21:31
#8
laine lowe
Douglas, I am so very sorry that our society has continued to disservice your community. I do hope that you deserve more than good luck in 2021. I hope you get justice and services for what you need.
Fri, 2021-01-01 01:58
#9
I Was Unprepared For 2020 by Imani Barbarin
You want well-wishes for the new year? I have none. As I write this, hospitals around the country are reaching capacity. Our healthcare system is in collapse, but you will demand inspiration because that is the agreement of goods and services, we have found ourselves in. Right? Inspiration is the currency you use in exchange for pretending to care to keep us alive. Unfortunately, you could not keep up your end of the agreement. So we find ourselves at an impasse.
For 2021, my attention will be solely focused on the needs of my community and the ways I want to grow. This agreement is no more. I unsubscribe. I may have survived this pandemic until now, but living with this level of callousness all around me has stolen so much from I and other disabled people mentally. I haven’t been able to find the words I needed to describe any of this. So as you demand for this year to end so your cognitive dissonance can tell you that all of the badness of 2020 is behind you, the only words I can seem to muster for you for your 2021 are these two: good luck. You don’t deserve more than that.
I was talking to someone I know who works as a support worker for people with intellectual disabilities who was telling me about clients who have no family, or who can't understand why shelves had no toilet paper in the spring. Maybe part of their routine was to go to the library, libraries which in Winnipeg have been closed for 2 months with no indication they will be reopened any time soon. I also think of people with cerebral palsy and other muscular conditions who benefit from swimming in a pool but don't have access to that right now. In these and many other ways, people with disabilities have not been included either in the pandemic response or the pandemic recovery.
I don't know what else to say except how sorry I am that life is this rough, Douglas. I really hope that soon we have a covid response and recovery that is truly inclusive.