Conversations about disability within mainstream feminism - or 'How I Met Your Ramp"
I've been frustrated recently by mainstream feminism's (and wider social justice stuff) lack of inclusion of disabled women and lack of dialogue about disability issues and how everything is always solved with some pathetic token gesture - i.e a ramp. In response I have penned a small dramatic set piece exploring the issues, a portmanteau of various issues du jour; I call it 'How I Met Your Ramp'
disabled person: I'm not sure your movement listens to me or reflects my concerns, I'm not interested in knickers I'd rather talk about benefit cuts to be honest. I don't find you very accessible.
abled person: BUT WE HAVE A RAMP.
disabled person: It's not about a ramp, it's a lot more complex than physical access needs, I'd like to have a conversation about disability
abled person: WE HAVE A RAMP, HAVE YOU SEEN OUR RAMP? WE HAVE A RAMP! You can't call me prejudiced that's mean I have a friend who's differently abled, have you met my ramp? why are you so angry thats not fair, I met a ramp once! Can't we talk about knickers instead? knickers are important!
disabled person: You're not listening to me. Look can you just listen? just for five minutes?
abled person: did you say something? HAVE I SHOWN YOU OUR RAMP? HAVE I SHOWN THIS PICTURE OF A SMILING CHILD ON MY RAMP WITH AN INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE? RAMP RAMP RAMP.
disabled person: Ok I've tried, that's it, I'm cutting ties, I no longer feel I can be in your 'movement'. It's like talking to a brick wall. I'm out, bye, thanks for nothing.
abled person: OMG WHY ARE YOU MEAN? WE'D LISTEN IF YOU TALKED TO US!
disabled person - lashes out in frustration: oh fuck off!
abled person: I'M SO BRAVE I PUT UP WITH SO MUCH ABUSE FROM PEOPLE. I DO REAL ACTIVISM. YOU'RE JUST LAZY ALL YOU DO IS INSULT PEOPLE ONLINE. ONLINE ACTIVISM ISN'T REAL ACTIVISM HAVE YOU SIGNED MY ONLINE PETITION TO GET A RAMP ON A PAIR OF KNICKERS?
