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I have been updating my working definition of ableism for some years. This version simplifies some of the language from previous versions and explicitly includes desirability, misogyny, imperialism, language and religion as ideologies/characteristics used by societies, institutions, people to assign value to others. Please review context provided with the previous versions of the definition (linked above). May 2024 update: Working to develop a full timeline of the conversations that led to the development of this definition.  Deep purple and blue gradient background with the following words: ABLEISM a·ble·ism \ ˈābə-ˌli-zəm \ noun A system that places value on people’s bodies and minds based on societally constructed ideas of normality, intelligence, excellence, desirability, and productivity. These constructed ideas are deeply rooted in anti-Blackness, eugenics, misogyny, colonialism, imperialism and capitalism. This form of systemic oppression leads to people and society determining who is valuable and worthy based on a person’s language, appearance, religion and/or their ability to satisfactorily [re]produce, excel and "behave." You do not have to be disabled to experience ableism. a working definition by Talila "TL" Lewis*; updated January 2021 *developed in community with Disabled Black and other negatively racialized people.
11 Comments
Wendy Priesnitz
1/30/2021 03:36:01 pm
Ageism should be included in this group of isms. Both the young and the old are discriminated against based on their perceived lack of physical or mental ability.
Lindsay Jackson
10/15/2024 02:58:15 pm
Agreed! "The Aging-Disability Nexus," edited by Katie Aubrecht, Christine Kelly, and Carla Rice is a great resource that also connects to "behaving," productivity, and capitalist critique, among others!
Cody Mathis
3/22/2022 08:18:02 am
Can I post this on my LinkedIn page, giving credit to you and citing this webpage?? Thank you for considering my request!
Talila Lewis
3/22/2022 02:06:13 pm
Greetings, you are welcome to post the definition but please use the updated 2022 version, which my most recent blog post. 10/2/2023 01:52:13 pm
I noticed, Cody, you mentioned LinkedIn. As a psychiatric survivor quad activist for a long time, for some strange reason I use LinkedIn a bunch. Would love to Connect there with any others into Disability Justice. Search for David W. Oaks.
katie
7/11/2022 06:31:33 am
Could you explain and elaborate on "You don't have to be disabled to experience ableism"?
Nick C
9/7/2022 09:56:12 am
Someone might think you are disabled and discriminate against you because of that.
Emily
7/20/2023 06:27:22 pm
The way I interpreted that line is that ableism is embedded in every form of discrimination. For instance, racism, transphobia, sexism, etc, most if not all of the hateful beliefs about marginalized groups are rooted in ableism. For instance "the angry black woman," that trans people are mentally ill, that women are hysterical, all of these particular examples are rooted in sanism, a type of ableism. 10/21/2022 06:44:14 am
Help system good so party these where.
Nawesa
4/17/2023 09:44:23 am
if lines 5 and 12 were removed, it would sound like a definition for racism, so yes ableism it tied to anti Blackness.
Janet Rodriguez
9/5/2023 05:23:47 am
I Love (capital L intentional) your work even when I'm only starting to know it. I've used your working definition of ableism (with credit to you) and I'm slowly reading your post and reflecting. Thanks for enlighting my learning Leave a Reply. |
AuthorI dream incessantly of justice. Hoping to calm my mind & stir yours through this freedom space. Archives
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