I read that article ... three(?)-ish years ago, I think it was.
I agree with you that the "He's just ignorant, not evil," argument is a cop-out. But it's a stance that those of our generation who grew up with a disability were taught to take. It may have been self-taught.
After all, if the disgust and anger in other people's gazes only stems from ignorance, than even as an eight year old child surrounded by adults who hold the value of her life in contempt, still has what it takes to protect herself. 'Cause all it takes to cure ignorance is patience, and the right metaphors, to lead the audience by the hand to a new (and safer) understanding.
It's a stance I, myself, held for most of my life, and only started to let go of recently, once I connected to a world-wide disability community via the Internet, so it was "just me," anymore.
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Date: 2015-10-27 11:15 am (UTC)I agree with you that the "He's just ignorant, not evil," argument is a cop-out. But it's a stance that those of our generation who grew up with a disability were taught to take. It may have been self-taught.
After all, if the disgust and anger in other people's gazes only stems from ignorance, than even as an eight year old child surrounded by adults who hold the value of her life in contempt, still has what it takes to protect herself. 'Cause all it takes to cure ignorance is patience, and the right metaphors, to lead the audience by the hand to a new (and safer) understanding.
It's a stance I, myself, held for most of my life, and only started to let go of recently, once I connected to a world-wide disability community via the Internet, so it was "just me," anymore.