All right, so I'd like to return the blog back to a focus on Disability Rights. But, mainly I can only do that by asking what I think Disability Rights are, and how any conception of Disability Rights in the minds off people frames how others (including people who are disabled.) react and respond to it. I've already written a Masters Thesis on that subject, and I don't feel like doing it again. Even though I've posted essays here. Specifically, I think what I have to add to Disability Rights discourse is the Mythological viewpoint, which answers the "why?" question of disability.
First off, myth is concerned with human universals. It doesn't make the claim that disabled people are "Just like you", (which assumes "we" want to be "normal".) but instead highlights the hero's quest and the struggle for the Greater Good, using what "we" have been given. It doesn't really set a standard for what "normal" would be, since heroes are defined by doing something that is beyond the normal range of human experience, which is to go beyond what we can apparently do. I consider this to be more realistic and empowering, since it speaks to Joseph Campbell's universal "Hero's Quest". All cultures have hero stories. The idea is to find something Greater than yourself; and then put the mind in accord with nature and the physical body. That to me is a lot better than grouping people and compartmentalizing disabilities.
Love the reference to Joseph Campbell! I'm a fan because he was so influenced by the work of Jung (a personal hero).
ReplyDeleteOne thing I think is intriguing about Campbell is how interdisciplinary his work was. Although his work focuses mainly in the field of English Literature/comparative literature, his archetypes play into psychology, sociology, and communications studies. Interesting, especially since it seems you are using this blog as a medium for discussion on several different topics (pop culture, science fiction, science, disability rights), but you're doing it in an interdisciplinary manner that synthesizes each separate area of focus under one underlying theme.
That's a good point. Some of the blog entries are a little goofy; but perhaps I'm too hard on myself sometimes. I'm used to thematizing though. Comes with the field.
ReplyDeleteAnd of course, Joe Campbell is cool.
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