Race and Disability

February 5, 2015 from 4:00-5:30pm

ONLINE – Dis/Representation Virtual Room

In Person – Urban Center Room 511 (Portland State Campus). It is located at SW 6th and Mill St.

Antoine Hunter

Antoine Hunter, Deaf Artist

Brief agenda is included below:

  • Race and Disability
  • Articles/Blogs
  • Online and in-person discussion prompts

Race and Disability
People with Disabilities have multiple identities, but not all of us have been included equally in our communities. Both the Disability Movement and Disability Studies have been called out on the lack of leadership and participation by people of color. We will address racism, double jeopardy, institutional oppression, and the personal choice of claiming identities. The readings will bring important voices into the forefront and focus on how our communities can address racism. We will just scratch the surface on this important dialogue, but will discuss ways to take action and create change.

Articles/Blogs

  • I, too, am racialized
  • Reflecting on Frida Kahlo’s Birthday and The Importance of Recognizing Ourselves for (in) Each Other
  • We Exist in Darkness (Living at the Intersections)
  • When disability and race intersect

Online and in-person discussion prompts

  • How can we make sure that race becomes part of the conversation and action in the Disability Movement and Critical Disability Studies? Why is it important?
  • What is the “risk” for people of color to identify as politically disabled? What is the “risk” of visibility?
  • How do we address violence in terms of ablism and racism​​​?​ How does this impact the lives of our sisters and brothers of color with disabilities (double jeopardy)?
  • How does the American with Disabilities Act protect or not protect Disabled individuals​?​ What do the police need to understand about disability and intersections of identities?
  • How do “institutions and systems” deny our bodies and experiences?​ How do they create shame?
  • What does it mean to say, “Dominant culture is like the sun and that daylight is what we are taught,​​ is reality?​”​  What does it mean to “yield to the fullness of who we are and honor our ancestors that brought us here​?”​ (Naomi Ortiz article)
  • Why are historical figures such as Frida Kahlo important for our Disability Culture and our intersectional identities?
  • How can we come together and address both racism and ableism in communities (also other identities and isms) in a way that we can honor all our struggles and come together in all our liberation? How can we create a “home” and “sanctuary” for everyone?

Captioning Provided for all Participants