Causally Upholding Ableism

Written By: Luther Bravo

Written With : Taylor Louise

Ableism is the systematic oppression of the disabled. Often when we think of ableism it is in a very specific context. We aren’t thinking about their lack of marriage equality or their exclusion from public infrastructure. We are normally thinking of ableism because there’s a crisis with an urgent need. Some may think back to when we knew almost nothing about COVID-19. Others will recall disabled activists being dragged out of their wheelchairs by cops during a peaceful demonstration. However, we do not think about the social aspects of ableism and how we are all contributing to it. 

Ableism doesn’t just affect those with the most visible disabilities. it impacts all of us, those with invisible disabilities, well managed disabilities and those awaiting a disabling event. In a society like ours that cares very little about public health and safety , many of us will experience ableism in various degrees. It’s our collective attitude around ableism that seals this fate. See, we will do almost anything as long as it means keeping a clear line between the “us and the disabled.”

Our attitude is influenced by the systemic oppression that disabled people face. We know that we isolate them from society. We know that we make it difficult for them to find a job that accommodates their disabilities. We know that being disabled means losing privilege. Therefore, we do everything in our power to minimize our connection with disability. We do everything to look as able bodied as possible. Even though, these behaviors are the ones enabling ableism within our society and ourselves. 

This flippant attitude is especially dangerous to young people. Colon cancer rates are increasing in people under 55 at alarming rates. While researchers at the American Cancer Society are looking into why there is an uptick in patients under 55; we are still left to wonder why? Why are we so quiet about something that is impacting more of us each day? 

Yet, that’s not entirely true because we are talking about it, just not seriously. You can go on any social media platform and see the memeifcation of gastrointestinal issues and other disabilities. The impulse is understandable. Some could argue that the awareness and general acceptance of certain disabilities is progress in dismantling ableism. I do agree with the sentiment as it is bringing more people to the conversation. However, where I disagree is that it is not being taken as seriously as it should be.

The reason we are okay with talking about disability lightly is because we are scared. We are scared to face the reality that many of us will become disabled before our time is up. We are scared to acknowledge the suffering that we have inflicted on others and ourselves maintaining ableism and its impossible standards. We are scared and we are allowing that fear to control us. 

The bottom line is that disabilities need to be taken seriously. We need to create more room to talk about them with the weight that they deserve . We need to accept the limitations of ourselves , others and society at large . We have to admit to being afraid and move with courage towards a solution. If we are to make real progress on ableism we must treat it like every other form of systematic oppression. We cannot look for ways to downplay disability to benefit ourselves. We have to get off the pendulum of making disability symptoms into memes and isolating disabled people from society. We have to learn to make space for them. 

Of course this is easier said than done. What does making space for people with disabilities even look like? Well, it could be advocating for more ramps. Or it be as simple as masking in public spaces. It can be interacting with disabled content creators online. There are hundreds if not thousands of ways, that you can combat ableism in your everyday life.  Remember every action counts. You never know what clearing a sidewalk could mean for someone with mobility issues.  

If we are to achieve a better tomorrow we must start today. If today isn’t good for everyone we should strive to make tomorrow better for everyone. That means we must remember those whom we aim to forget. We must listen to disabled people in order to properly accommodate them. We have to get comfortable with the fact that we are not the experts in dismantling ableism as we are the ones upholding it. It’s okay to not have the answers but, it isn’t okay not to search for them. We must stop living in fear and start living for the possibility of better days for all. https://on.soundcloud.com/ZsWGv99CEgLxrsx39