Ableism & Racism: Roots of The Same Tree with Rebecca Cokley and Dr. Ibram X. Kendi

Here are my notes/thoughts/questions after listening to this podcast:

Key Insights from the Podcast

1. Police Violence and Disability:

   • Insight: Half of the people killed by police are disabled. This often results from miscommunication and non-compliance with officer commands.

   • Question: Why is there such a high rate of police violence against disabled individuals?

     • Answer: Disabled individuals may struggle with understanding or complying with officer commands due to their disabilities, leading to fatal misunderstandings. Training police officers in better communication techniques and disability awareness can help reduce this risk.

2. Employment for Disabled People:

   • Insight: The employment rate for disabled people is low, with a labor force participation rate of 38.7% and an employment rate of 8.2%.

   • Question: What can be done to improve employment opportunities for disabled individuals?

     • Answer: Improving employment opportunities involves enforcing anti-discrimination laws, providing reasonable accommodations, promoting inclusive hiring practices, and offering vocational training tailored to disabled individuals' needs.

3. Underpayment of Disabled Workers:

   • Insight: Disabled people can legally be paid below minimum wage based on perceived productivity.

   • Question: How can policies be changed to ensure fair wages for disabled workers?

     • Answer: Advocating for policy changes that eliminate subminimum wage laws and enforcing equal pay for equal work can ensure fair wages for disabled workers. Supporting organizations that campaign for these changes can also make a difference.

4. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Limitations:

   • Insight: To qualify for SSI, individuals must have countable resources worth less than $2,000 ($3,000 for a couple).

   • Question: How do these resource limits affect the financial stability of disabled individuals?

     • Answer: These resource limits can keep disabled individuals in poverty by discouraging savings and financial planning. Raising the resource limits and adjusting them for inflation can help improve financial stability.

5. Marriage Penalties for Disabled People:

   • Insight: Disabled individuals risk losing health insurance benefits if they get married.

   • Question: What reforms are needed to address marriage penalties for disabled people?

     • Answer: Reforming laws to eliminate marriage penalties in health insurance and benefits programs can help disabled individuals maintain necessary support while allowing them to marry without financial repercussions.

6. Inaccessibility of Polling Places:

   • Insight: 80% of polling places are inaccessible, though a citation for this statistic was not found.

   • Question: How can voting accessibility be improved for disabled individuals?

     • Answer: Ensuring all polling places comply with ADA standards, providing mail-in ballots, and offering accessible voting machines can improve voting accessibility for disabled individuals.

7. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA):

   • Insight: The ADA is a crucial civil rights act, but enforcement is lacking.

   • Question: How can the enforcement of ADA provisions be strengthened to ensure civil rights for disabled individuals?

     • Answer: Strengthening enforcement can involve increasing funding for ADA compliance audits, imposing stricter penalties for non-compliance, and enhancing public awareness of ADA rights and responsibilities.

8. Constant State of Stress and PTSD:

   • Insight: The statement "PTSD does not exist because we are in a constant state of stress and disorder" suggests a normalization of chronic stress.

   • Question: How does constant stress affect the mental health of disabled individuals?

     • Answer: Constant stress can exacerbate mental health conditions, leading to anxiety, depression, and burnout. Providing mental health support, reducing stressors, and promoting self-care practices are essential for improving mental health outcomes.

Terminology and Definitions

1. Language: Disabled versus Person with a Disability:

   • Insight: There is ongoing debate between using person-first language ("person with a disability") and identity-first language ("disabled person"). Here is an interesting discussion.

   • Question: What are the arguments for and against each type of language, and what should be used in different contexts?

     • Answer: Person-first language emphasizes the person before the disability, which can be seen as more respectful. Identity-first language embraces disability as an integral part of one's identity, which some prefer for empowerment. Context and individual preference should guide language use.

2. Definition of Disability:

   • Insight: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), disability is an umbrella term for impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions, emphasizing a biopsychosocial model.

   • Question: How does recognizing the interaction between health conditions and contextual factors help in understanding disability?

     • Answer: Recognizing this interaction helps create a more holistic understanding of disability, considering both medical and social factors. This approach can lead to more effective support and accommodations.

Understanding Ableism

1. Definition and Roots:

   • Insight: Ableism is a system that values people based on their bodies and abilities, rooted in eugenics, racism, and colonialism.

   • Question: How can awareness of ableism's roots in eugenics and racism help in combating it?

     • Answer: Understanding the historical roots of ableism highlights its deep-seated nature and can inform efforts to dismantle discriminatory practices and beliefs.

2. Industrialism and Productivity:

   • Insight: Ableism emphasizes the ability to produce and reproduce, reflecting industrial values.

   • Question: How does the emphasis on productivity impact the perception and treatment of disabled individuals?

     • Answer: This emphasis can marginalize disabled individuals who may not fit into traditional productivity metrics, leading to discrimination. Promoting diverse definitions of contribution and value can counteract this.

3. Normalcy:

   • Insight: "Not disabled" should not be assumed to mean "normal," similar to how "whiteness" should not be seen as the default norm.

   • Question: How can changing perceptions of normalcy help in creating a more inclusive society?

     • Answer: Shifting perceptions to embrace diversity as normal can reduce stigma and promote inclusion, recognizing the value of all individuals regardless of ability.

Intersection of Ableism, Racism, and Mental Illness

1. Historical Context:

   • Insight: Historical concepts like drapetomania and phrenology were used to justify racism and ableism.

   • Question: How can understanding these historical contexts inform current efforts to address the intersection of ableism and racism?

     • Answer: Understanding these contexts can shed light on the origins of current prejudices and inform strategies to dismantle systemic discrimination and promote equity.

2. Segregation in Education:

   • Insight: Both disabled people and people of color have experienced segregation in educational settings.

   • Question: What are the shared experiences and challenges faced by disabled students and students of color in the education system?

     • Answer: Both groups face barriers to access and inclusion, often receiving inadequate resources and support. Addressing these challenges requires inclusive policies, adequate funding, and culturally responsive teaching.

3. Masking Disability:

   • Insight: Disabled individuals often mask their disabilities and avoid asking for help, as illustrated by the speaker's younger brother protecting Ibrahm by not disclosing his disability.

   • Question: How can society create environments where disabled individuals feel safe and supported in disclosing their needs?

     • Answer: Promoting a culture of acceptance, providing education on disabilities, and ensuring confidentiality can encourage individuals to disclose their needs without fear of judgment or discrimination.

Allyship

1. Being an Ally:

   • Insight: Allyship involves actively supporting and advocating for oppressed identity groups.

   • Question: What actions and behaviors define effective allyship for disabled individuals and other marginalized groups?

     • Answer: Effective allyship includes listening to and amplifying marginalized voices, educating oneself on issues, advocating for policy changes, challenging discriminatory behaviors, and offering support in practical ways.