Disability 101 talk

[sasha_feather]

This morning I gave a talk about disability (and queerness) for an intro to LGTBQ studies at cabell's request. My notes are here, plus I talked about Glee some, and we showed part of this YouTube video of a wheelchair ice dancer as a contrast to Artie's fake wheelchair dancing.

The whole talk went really well! That is the most talking I have done all at once since... probably since last WisCon. They asked really good questions and a couple of students gave me movie recommendations. The professor complimented me.

One question: "How do you feel about the term 'differently abled'?"

To which I said: "I'm not really a fan. I think that the X-Men are differently abled."

And they laughed! Yay!

One person asked how my family reacted when I told them I was disabled, to which I had to admit that I don't really talk to my family about disability activism, because they don't seem to get it. I'd rather go talk to strangers about it!

Overall it was easy and fun, would do again.

Now I feel a bit overstimulated and headachey. Time for SimCity. :D

Comments

[sasha_feather]

It's yet another iconomicon wonder! :D

[meloukhia]

That is a fantastic response to 'differently abled.' People do seem to internalise stuff better when you make them laugh instead of making them uncomfortable.

[sasha_feather]

That's a good point!

[meloukhia]

Yeah, although it's...unfortunate...that this is necessary. In an ideal world you wouldn't have to appease the audience you're trying to get to treat you like a human being.

[trouble]

I am so pleased for you! :D I'm glad it went well. I've found a lot of my off-line talks about disability have also gone really well. :D

[sasha_feather]

Yay for both of us! :D :D :D

[meloukhia]

Mine too! I think it's something about a live audience in the same room, it's a lot easier to establish connections and basic humanity and...stuff.

[jesse_the_k]

Yipppeeeee! I knew it would go well, but I am thrilled to hear how well. When we do offline presentations, chances are very good that there will be no more than one or two of Those Guys in the audience, the ones who think crushing us with the mad debate skillz will get all the creatures round to their yards. Online, Those Guys can actually round up a posse just to annoy/infuriate/intimidate/harass us.

[sasha_feather]

And there were none in this class, because it was a nice audience. :D

[challyzatb]

Well done, you!!

[sasha_feather]

Thank you!

[tangledaxon]

Fantastic. And I love your response to the "differently abled" question.

[holyoutlaw]

Congrats!

[sasha_feather]

Thank you!

[emceeaich]

That icon is cracking me up. Not only does it have the damn "I'm on a Boat" song, but it's summarizing the reboot.

[sasha_feather]

Thanks!

[littlebutfierce]

Yay!! I'm glad it went well. Also I think the X-Men quip is awesome.

[sasha_feather]

Thank you!!

[susanreads]

I'm glad it went well, and I love your response to the "differently abled" question.

[sophygurl]

hee, whenever I roll up to a "differently abled" parking sign, I joke that Superman could park there. :)