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Comments
Bob Williams-Findlay
Crippen asked, "What have you in mind, Bob?"
Well, I believe there's little chance of influencing Twiddle Brown or Twaddle Cameron before the next UK General Election. So both the Disabled People's Movement and Disability Arts Movement ought to focus on making 2012 the Year of Challenging Disablism with the whole world watching Londom. We ought to have our own fun and games - the paralympics being the fur coat and by that time Lord Freud's benefit scam will be ready to be exposed as Parliament saying, "knickers" to disabled people!
Crippen
Valid point Arty. In fact there's been a couple of blogs recently lamenting the seemingly backwards step that disability arts has taken over the past several years. I'd certainly be up for joining an arts centred focus to rally the crips within the UK. What idea did you have specifically Bob?
Arty Farty
Fair point Mr Bob. But how do you see Disability Arts providng the focus? Over recent years the Dis Arts movement seems to have gone back to being more impairment specific and no longer represents the collective ethos that we once had. And what about you Mr C. What do you think about Mr Bob's comment?
Bob Williams-Findlay
I agree with Arty Farty that a new rallying point is reguired, but I'm less convinced by the idea of a "political party" formed by disabled people.
As far back as 1974 I put forward the argument that alongside self-organisation there was an urgent need for a "rainbow coalition" on the grounds that marginalised groups are powerless and voiceless on their own. I know the risks involved; how do we forge solidarity with social forces who fail to grasp disablism or are as ignorant as the rich and powerful?
I believe Jane, Bert and probably Vic would agree that it is through engagement with others who are oppressed; engaging in demonstrating the differences and similarities in treatment. Personally speaking, one rallying point ought to be a declared war against the Harman-Philips "fairness" claptrap which underpins the useless Single Equality Bill. Disability Arts would have a major role to play.
Wendi
Sadly, this state of affairs isn't confined to the UK. "Nobody wakes up and says it's a fine sunny day,I think I'll give up some power" springs to mind.
pink pjs
Humanity party?
Arty Farty
What Disabled people need in the UK is a new rallying point. What about it Bob Finlay, Jane Campbell, Bert Massey and Co, are you ready to form the first Disabled people's political party? I'd vote for you!
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