Read on Twitter
Seeing leftists dismiss the idea of theory being inaccessible again. As someone w/ disabilities that severely affect my ability to read, learn, & process information (among other things): yes, theory is inaccessible. Stop erasing disabled people from these conversations.
It shouldn't be controversial to say that "read theory" is not an adequate replacement for teaching & that it's not accessible for everyone. Not everyone learns best by reading. Not everyone can afford books. Not everyone can read - esp dry, academic texts filled w/ jargon.
But every time this comes up it's met with hostility & dismissal. Half the time, disability isn't even mentioned; only class.
"Are you saying poor/disabled ppl can't read?"
"If you can't read how are you on social media?"
"If ___ can read theory, there's no excuse"
"Are you saying poor/disabled ppl can't read?"
"If you can't read how are you on social media?"
"If ___ can read theory, there's no excuse"
And the assumptions. That disabled people are rare (we aren't). That disabled leftists don't exist (we do). That misguided allies are the ones talking about ableism & access, rather than actual disabled people -- which conveniently makes these arguments easier to ignore.
This is part of a larger issue of ableism on the left. Any movement truly dedicated to liberation should center disabled people. Yet we constantly get ignored. Most nondisabled leftists only talk about ableism when they're dismissing or ridiculing it.
I have a lot more to say about this but I'm out of steam. I guess my point is, the "debate" about theory being inaccessible never goes anywhere bc y'all refuse to actually listen to disabled people. You can't address a problem if you refuse to acknowledge it exists.
But if you're ready to listen, here's a thread I wrote that goes into a little more detail. https://twitter.com/swampflora/status/1269751483861479424?s=19
Also, since this needs to be said..
Just because someone can use social media doesn't mean they can read dense, theoretical texts. It's disingenuous as hell to compare the 2. Writing style, content, reading level, the amount of brainpower required, etc are all vastly different.
Just because someone can use social media doesn't mean they can read dense, theoretical texts. It's disingenuous as hell to compare the 2. Writing style, content, reading level, the amount of brainpower required, etc are all vastly different.
& personally? I DO struggle with social media. I was too ill to use it for years. It often takes hours for me to write a tweet.
But I shouldn't have to say all that. Y'all should simply believe disabled ppl when we say we can't do something or that something is inaccessible.
But I shouldn't have to say all that. Y'all should simply believe disabled ppl when we say we can't do something or that something is inaccessible.
