The concept of ableism is likely very outdated. Yet it is prevalent today. Each time I step outside, lots of different flavors of ableism step in. It is so integral to our experience in a negative way. Right from communication to education to medicine to even relationships, we are still prisoners of assumptions made about us.
Central question that one should ask in the context of ableism is a close examination and introspection of abilities you inherently deem to be better and cherish. Speech is presumed to be superior to other forms of communication and celebrated. Riding a motorcycle is deemed to be cooler than pushing the pedals of a tricycle. Leading a rally by shouting slogans is seen as more passionate than writing a hard hitting poem. There are so many such symbols in everyday life.
Good intentions don’t absolve those that have it from being ableist. Just imagine how many times you have rushed to help someone. Did you check if they needed help? Did you ask them how they felt taking your help? Or even more fundamentally, what made you think they needed your help? Is that the ableist in you?
So many abilities are defined by what we have been able to do across generations. Is it fair that our lives are still judged by the measure of these abilities?
