Paving the Way

Dear Readers,

I was considering the impacts of the civil rights movements yesterday on MLK Day. Interestingly enough, many parts of the litigation and legislation that acts to desegregate and redistribute access to all people regardless of skin color also includes people with and without disabilities. In other words, when we talk about diversity, this includes disabilities. In fact, I was intrigued by a lecturer I heard yesterday say that people with disabilities actually make up the largest minority group in the world. People with disabilities make up the largest number of people who are marginalized, victimized, and segregated in our society. 

The problem is that much like race, disability is culturally cultivated and constructed. In some countries, people with disabilities are banished to the countryside or locked up in institutions. In our country, they are often excluded from  access to life. What's the difference? What's the difference between America and other counties? Some might argue that people with disabilities still have more opportunities and protection in America, and that's likely to be true. However, I think the biggest difference is simply in the person's ability to see what access looks like. When we banish or separate people in other countries, they might not even be aware of another life offered for others in the cities. But in America, we keep the American dream full of access ever visible but nevertheless just out of reach to many people with disabilities. So while one might argue that America is better for people with disabilities, we clearly have a long way to go. 

Still, I think the most interesting piece of the connection between civil rights and disability rights is that when we help others struggling in one area , we can make life better for all people. We don't have to worry about the massive calling to make disciples of every nation all on our own. We don't need to fix all injustice by ourselves. We can make impacts wherever we are, knowing that whoever we help, we are likely to indirectly serve others. 

What will you do to pave a way for justice in the lives of others today? 

Start singing as one, 

SJC