The following is a presentation I gave for a class on the identity formation of able-bodied people in contrast to representation of disabled bodies. The thesis is that able bodied people use two methods to distance themselves from the disabled identity: ableist language as distancing language and the social commodification of disabled bodies. This is all in the effort of distancing their fragile able bodied identity from a disabled possibility/eventuality.
I had to pause every slide and sit at my desk and think–sooooo much here to digest and apply. I especially need to critique the extent to which I use distancing techniques (even seemingly casual word choices) to protect my abled identity. Thanks, Imani!
Of course! I’m glad you found it thought provoking.