Ableism is so much more than just lack of physical access in society. Ableism is more about how non disabled people have attempted to help people with various disabilities for years without understanding their identities, or social and emotional realities. It is society assuming that people with disabilities do not have the skill set to live, love, speak, think, communicate, believe, change or have the resources to learn on their own, or live in community with their peers. It´s oppression. It´s about being patronizing, and many times dehumanizing the person with a disability to make non disabled people feel better (and privileged) about their own lives. It ain´t got shit to do with actually helping folks with disabilities.
JC Da MC, a spoken word artist, and man of color with a disability. Feb. 21st, 2017