It’s been awhile! Senior year has been keeping me busy, but last month I read a book called Feminism and Disability by Barbara Hillyer. It’s a really interesting book, and I thought I’d share what I’ve learned.
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| Feminism and Disability by Barbara Hillyer |
Hillyer’s main argument is that the feminist movement doesn’t include disabled women, and I definitely agree with that in many ways. I tend to think of being disabled and being a woman as separate identities, when really, I live at the intersection of both of those identities.
Hillyer spends a lot of time discussing productivity and independence. In the feminist movement, women who are career-driven and successful are championed, while living at home is discouraged. However, Hillyer argues, not all women are able to lead productive and independent lives; namely, disabled women. Disabled women are encouraged to deny their disabilities in order to keep up with our fast-paced world. This is something that I agree with--disabled people who “overcome” their disabilities are definitely idealized, which sends a very harmful message about disability. The feminist movement does nothing to counter this; independence is valued over all else.
That being said, I do have some criticisms of the book. Feminism and Disability was written in the early 1990s, so Hillyer’s ideas are a little out of date. She writes, “Many people with what I will call ‘classic’ physical disabilities are superwomen or -men, determined to work harder and accomplish more than anyone else; having been labeled less competent than the able-bodied white male ‘norm,’ they try to be more competent.” She clearly has this idea that disabled people have different motivations than nondisabled people. Despite arguing for inclusivity and acceptance of disability, she herself holds a view that disabled people are inherently different.
As a disabled person, I face a lot of prejudice. But I’m not motivated by a desire to prove others wrong; I share similar ambitions and goals with my nondisabled peers. Being disabled doesn’t change that.
I do give Hillyer credit for what she’s trying to do in writing this book-- she addresses a lot of important issues that I’ve never thought about before. I am a feminist, but I think it’s important to reflect on how the feminist movement hurts disabled women. Feminism should be about doing what’s best for me, not pushing myself beyond my limits.
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