Ableism, Racism Often times we talk about racism, ableism as individual bias. That derails us from having a real conversation about power. Prejudice + Power = System of Oppression

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To Dismantle One, You Must Combat All of Them Ableism, racism, classism, sexism, heterosexism work hand in hand with each other. –Ableism leveraged to justify slavery –Racism in special education –Institutions used to hide people away Ableism and racism are about marking certain people as dirty, unfit, unworthy, stupid, manipulative, …

Interlocked, intersecting Agendas are often set by the privileged –Second wave feminist movement focused on right to abortion and right to work. Women of color and women with disabilities are encouraged to abort babies or be sterilized. Have to fight for our kids Women of color are always working. People with disabilities can’t get work –Gay rights movement focuses on marriage equality instead of using opportunity to expand what we think of as support systems and family. –Disability rights movement started with privileged people who acquired disabilities and were outraged about their loss of status.

Let’s Be An Ally to One Another Often times movements like to create a term that doesn’t describe the spectrum of differences and experiences with oppression –“People of color” –“Disabled people” We must not flatten each other’s experiences