A very good why, thank you for sharing. For myself, I suppose there are many whys, for compassion, for kindness, for understanding, for function and stability, for care and wellbeing, for art and philosophy, for the beautiful diversity of life, for learning and curiosity, in appreciation for simplicity and complexity and nuance, for authenticity, and all the other good things, those things that when nurtured give nurturing in return.
@meander1124 ай бұрын
Engagement for the engagement god!
@juls_krsslr79084 ай бұрын
This is a good question. I don't really know my answer - or maybe I know it, but I haven't thought about it enough to put it in words. What brought me to the fight in the first place was being in a position where I was treated badly and feeling helpless, like I couldn't do anything about it. Then, one day, I realized that maybe I can't make the people who hurt me change, but I can change the ways I've hurt other people. And once I started trying to see my world from an outsider's point of view, I realized that insider perspectives are very f*ked up and I want those perspectives to open up and change. It's interesting what you said about shame because I think a lot of people on the "inside" are ashamed of being human. Sometimes people say that non-marginalized people see marginalized people as animals, as not fully human, but I think they do see them as human, but they just hate human beings. They want to believe that they are superior to humanity and they don't have the same needs, wants, and irregularities that all humans do. They wind up cutting off their humanity to fit some ideal and they don't want be reminded that they are the same species as the people they despise. When people talk about "accepting yourself," I don't think it can be separated from having solidarity with marginalized people because accepting yourself means accepting that you are just as "disgusting" as the people you hate - which is actually not disgusting at all - if that makes sense.
@ContextWrench4 ай бұрын
I am struggling with my why. It’s complicated. As with most things, I came into advocacy in an atypical fashion. It was never really a choice. It was about survival and trying to build just enough wake to ease the journey for those behind me who came next; not because I’m important. Because from the time I could form words, I was “good with them” so it was the closest to protection I could get I’m good at advocacy because I’ve had to be not because that particular aspect work logistics and personal safety or things i enjoyed or was the filled by. I like information I love research. I love seeing people understand things I explain to them in ways they hadn’t considered before. I don’t love being expected to educate on command or justify my existence when I’m trying to get a cup of coffee, even if sometimes I need to ask for a cup with a larger handle for my own safety and use knowing my own needs & understanding how the needs of others work doesn’t mean I always want to be on call for the explanation. existence should not come with public entitlement to education or entertainment. Opportunities., if possible sure if they’re made as request not as command or expectation. There’s also the sword of Damocles, that is “you have to make people aware of people like you because they probably haven’t seen anyone like you before they may not again so be the best shiniest best version that you can.“ it’s exhausting I don’t have a public platform specifically because I have dealt with this kind of public entitlement my entire life. I’m tired. My image and my story has been used without my consent more times than I can list and if I push back, I’m told I don’t understand or appreciate “the greater good” most of the time I’ve come to realize the greater good is not always worth my harm. All being said I know I can never really stop. The best I can do is do my best to control the narrative around me and presented carefully and as effectively as I can. I want to help, but I need to be better at protecting myself. No one else is going to protect me. Advocacy isn’t always a deliberate choice but taking care of each other should be. In whatever way we can. We owe each other care. We don’t know anyone a performance. I don’t want awareness. I don’t want acceptance. I want respect. I want inclusion. I want bodily autonomy for everyone. There’s an old *slogan that disability community borrowed along time ago. “nothing about us without us“ that’s probably as close to why as I’m getting.
@Sara_TheFatCultureCritic4 ай бұрын
@@ContextWrench a lot to think about there.
@ContextWrench4 ай бұрын
@@Sara_TheFatCultureCritic i hope so. I don’t come into queer spaces or other “activism “ realms to “center disability “ I have never had marriage equality. The ADA is important. But it never gave me the “luxury “ of assuming I can use public restrooms, let alone find accessible housing. “But they ’they have ‘ to be accessible” doesn’t get or keep me safe. Parking spaces and curb cuts are not enough. I believe in what I call ‘outreach based engagement’ I will continue do all I can to help. But it’s not free to me. I am glad to optimize the opportunities I have, it’s not just “an honor to be asked” . I do my best to meet requests I can, not “expectations” I didn’t deliberately agree to beforehand. 🏳️🌈♿️🏳️⚧️
@zefugainspe4 ай бұрын
I already can't wait for that video about shame. Thank you so much:)