KosAbility: Internalized ableism is a consequence of an ableist society. Let's dismantle both
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Ableism is pervasive in society, accepted as normal and “how things are,” because too many people are oblivious to the myriad ways systemic ableism determines how we build out human spaces and interact. Even if you aren’t dKosAbility: Internalized ableism is a consequence of an ableist society. Let's dismantle both
Ableism is pervasive in society, accepted as normal and “how things are,” because too many people are oblivious to the myriad ways systemic ableism determines how we build out human spaces and interact. Even if you aren’t disabled, read on—everyone contributes to internalized ableism, or the ableism disabled people apply to themselves, because it comes from society. Ableism can be defined as “stereotyping, prejudice, discrimination, and social oppression toward people with disabilities.” It’s based on the premise that being “abled” is normal and preferred. Internalized ableism results from absorbing ableist messages and the lack of meaningful conversations about ableism. We project society’s negative judgements onto ourselves because we are ingrained to accept their labels for us and internalize the pernicious stereotypes and misconceptions that discriminate against disabled people. Not all the time, probably, and not always consciously, but it’s easy to buy into social norms because they are ubiquitous, part of everyday speech and habits. We are wheelchair bound, victims of our disabling conditions who must strive to overcome our handicaps and not be burdens. As a result, we feel ashamed to ask for accommodations, to be our real selves without excuse or cover-up. After chronic illness altered my abilities, I spent years apologizing. Walking with friends—“I’m sorry, I can’t walk that fast, I could meet you at the cafe.” At the grocery store—“I’m sorry, I need help moving these to the car.” To myself, I said “You can do it, just push through the pain,” and tried to take the pain meds less often than prescribed. I was proud of being able to “rise above” my body’s demands. Sometimes I felt like I spoke about symptoms too often and burdened friends with my new reality. Other times, I didn’t speak up about symptoms enough: I hid them in an attempt to deny, even to myself, how much illness had affected me and to not burden others with my “limitations.” Internalized ableism is more than saying “I’m sorry.” When you push through pain and do something to keep up with friends, not wishing to be an inconvenience, that’s internalized ableism. Your actions are not an inconvenience just because they don’t match society’s expectations. As disability activist Imani Barbarin observed, “Disabled people don’t overcome their disability, they overcome your bias.” Read more
