The news impacts the disability community just like everywhere else.
By Maria Samuels, Executive Director
All too often, the news erupts with a story that compels you to take a side. The latest is the death of George Floyd. Many companies and organizations have issued statements hoping to clarify that they are not racist, sexist, homophobic or, any other “ist” or “phobic.” Most do not mention the George Floyd incident; they want you to know they are on the side of right. Understandable? Sort of. They are concerned about the loss of support from the differently minded public. Plus, this latest tragedy in a long list of tragedies is especially divisive because it is so politically charged in a year not even half over but plagued by bitter politics and a pandemic.
Having a disability often means that the disability itself demands so much time and attention, leading to a strong sense of isolation from the impact of the surrounding world. But this sense of living in a vacuum is not real. People with disabilities are not one of a kind when it comes to taking sides. Like other human beings, tastes differ, politics differ, and like all others, there are people with disabilities who are racist, sexist, homophobic, and every other “ist” or “phobic”.
We have listened and read the news stories that demonize the police and others that demonize the victim. WDOMI has been involved in many battles for the rights of our consumers, and we know that not every battle is winnable. However, what happened May 25th was an unintended declaration of war against people who are perceived as less than human. A recorded act of dehumanization. Four people decided that another person’s life was of little value: meaningless. This is a commonly practiced viewpoint against people with disabilities who are, sadly, too often perceived not by their humanity but basically by their wheelchairs, canes, or behavioral issues.
WDOMI does not exist in a vacuum, and we have taken a side. There have been too many lessons before this incident that we, as a nation, should have learned from. How many more do we need to have before it is too late? WDOMI will continue to fight for the rights of people with disabilities. We also know that if one person’s rights can be so blatantly ignored then it will be a quick step to the dismantling of the hard-fought-for rights of people with disabilities. As members of the disability community and national community, we must be vigilant of all attacks against civil rights and fundamental human rights because as history has proven time and time again, sooner rather than later, it ripples down to us too.