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Collective liberation without a collective?

mwernick's picture

Time and time again in this class we have discussed intersectionality. I think that once again, the readings for this week highlighted that cultures can be dependent on one's other identities, and the extent to which they feel welcome in those communities. I think that often, cultures are formed through shared struggles. For the disability community, I've been thinking about how the struggles might vary because the range of disabilities varies so much. Are the goals of wheelchair users the same as those with intellectual disabilities, or blind people, or as folks in multiple or all of those categories? I think ideally communities would all be fighting for the collective liberation of all people; we should not have to pick and choose which communities we fight for. But I think it is so fascinating that despite all of the variations in disability that exist, a strong and powerful culture has emerged.