A fellow ADAPTer and I spent all of yesterday traveling. Fortunately, our chairs made the flight without severe damage, which is pretty common and one of the many ways ableism plays out in a tangible way, as baggage handlers are not well trained or well equipped to deal with the equipent used by folks with disabilities. However, because our chairs took so long to load, thus slightly delaying the flight, one of the crew felt the need to announce on the loud speaker as we were roaling up to our gate at our destination: “we ask that the handicapped passengers remain in there seats and wait for the rest of the plane to unload.” Annoyed and already fired up from preparing for the ADAPT action, I said very loudly in response, “Stay in our seats? Oh darn, we were planning to run a footrace up and down the aisle!” I’m not sure this was heard by the man with the speaker mic, but it definitely earned a few chuckles from those sitting nearest to me.
Now, clearly he was saying this for the benefit of the able bodied passengers who had to wait back in Detroit as our chairs were loaded by people who had no concept of what they were doing and took much longer than they should. Of course, I understand that it is easiest for us to offload last, so that there is more space to manuever the isle chairs and the many do not have to wait for the few. That is the typical procedure. However, I was annoyed that the crew member had to announce this to the rest of flight, implying that somehow the time of the able bodied passengers was so very valuable and they needed to be soothed.
Today, I have spent most of my time in trainings and meetings, semi-randomly meeting folks in the lobby and passages of the hotel during the down times. I love this city and I love my people. My biological family could never be replaced in how deeply I love them and the thankfulness I have for the sacrifices they have made for my benefit. At the same time, when I spending time with other crip activists, I feel an almost familial relationship to them that is unlike other gatherings. I certainly haven’t ever felt this unconditionally loved and accepted at a philosophy conference. Crip culture and community is never as real to me as it is when I am in the physical presence of large numbers of my people. This has a lot to do with my passion for this work. I feel a connection to the other activists and know that same connection exists between me and the unseen and the unheard that are the most marginalized. They are the reason we are here. To bring them justice and welcome them to the beautiful world we know and love.
FREE OUR PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!