Excavating my identity and relationship with disability
Warda Farah explores the intersectionality of identity, race, and disability in this short reflective piece.
As I reflect on my own journey through the intricate landscape of identity, I'm struck by the delicate intertwining of Neurodiversity, race, and ableism. These are not mere concepts but deeply ingrained threads woven into the fabric of our lives, shaping our perceptions and experiences in profound ways.
For the longest time, I never saw myself as disabled. Disability was something that seemed to belong to others, a distant reality that I couldn't quite relate to. Yet, as I grappled with my own challenges and limitations, I couldn't escape the nagging feeling that there was more to it than I wanted to admit.
Looking back, I realise now the extent of my own internalised ableism. It was a subtle but pervasive force, quietly influencing how I viewed myself and others. I resisted the label, unwilling to confront the stigma and stereotypes that came with it. But in denying this part of myself, I unwittingly perpetuated the very biases I sought to avoid.
It's an ongoing journey, this excavation of self. There are moments when I stumble upon fragments of my own prejudice, buried deep within my subconscious. It's uncomfortable, confronting these aspects of myself that I'd rather ignore. Yet, I've come to understand that it's only by acknowledging and addressing these biases that I can truly grow.
We live in a society that often shies away from difficult conversations, preferring the safety of silence to the discomfort of confrontation. But it's precisely in these uncomfortable moments that real progress is made. It's in the sharing of our stories, our struggles, and our vulnerabilities that we forge genuine connections and understanding.
So, how do we begin to unravel the complexities of internalised ableism? It starts with dialogue: open, honest, and empathetic. We must be willing to listen to each other's experiences, to challenge our own assumptions, and to confront the prejudices that have been ingrained in us.
But it doesn't end there. We must also recognise the interconnected nature of our identities. Neurodiversity, race, ability—these are not discrete categories but overlapping aspects of who we are. To truly embrace diversity, we must acknowledge and celebrate the intersectionality of our identities.
It's a messy, often uncomfortable process, this journey towards self-awareness and acceptance. But it's also a profoundly beautiful and transformative one. As we navigate the complexities of neurodiversity, race, and ableism, let us do so with compassion and curiosity. Let us strive to create a world where every individual is valued for their unique contributions, where differences are celebrated rather than feared and love is guiding force.
