Personal Responsibility and Mindset

Able-bodied person:  Just change your mindset.  Everything else will come.
Me:  It's not that easy for disabled artists.  There are real barriers.
Able-bodied person:  Let's talk about them!  I welcome discussion.

I begin to list the myriad of ways disabled artists are locked out of participating in their industries and how it's all ableism to varying degrees.  I follow it up by saying inspirational slogans and "mindset changes" only go so far when a lot of the resistance in an artist's career is external.  I attempt balance and clarity.  She (the able-bodied person) was already dismissive of a disabled artist speaking their truth before I became involved.

Able-bodied person:  Where is the personal responsibility?  Yes, "ableism" this and that.  It's a word I won't soon forget.  Where's the call to action?

Other people comment taking her side when no sides existed. Her friends and colleagues imply I was calling her an ableist (because she's pro-slogan, I guess).  I assuage everyone's feelings as much as possible before bowing out.  I didn't answer her questions, but I wanted to.
~*~
Where is my personal responsibility in what?  My career? Responsibility in changing things for disabled creatives?

Just because I talk about the bullshit disabled artists face, doesn't mean I try nothing with my career or for my community. I still write, edit, submit, run a mentor program, and promote my work on social media.  A person can hustle and still rage against injustice.  There are very few artists who do absolutely nothing but bitch about ableism.  Why do I feel like she was subtly asking me about being complicit in my own oppression?

I'm not sure I could help her with a "call to action".  People either decide exclusion and bigotry are wrong and people should be allowed equal chance and participation... or they don't.  After learning something, people either expand their knowledge and find a way to help... or they don't.  I didn't realize I needed a podium-ready speech to make someone care about injustice. Maybe I could've given her answers if she asked what allies can do, but the onus was pushed back onto me.  Perhaps she just wanted a happier conversation than ableism often requires.

Upcoming Changes

I often ponder this space.  What needs improving?  Is the blog even necessary?  What can I do to better serve our community?  No matter how much I kick it around, I have zero conclusions.

But, I believe indecision freezes a person.  If I thought about everything indefinitely, no progress would be made.  It's better to pick a direction than stagnate.  So, let's roll.

Changes:

1.  I updated the "About/FAQ" and "Submissions" pages this week for clarity.  They reflect the choice to include disabled/neurodivergent creatives of all spots and stripes.  I also expanded the types of things I'll consider for the blog!  If you have questions, feel free to contact me.

2.  I will be altering the criteria for applicants in our mentor program in the coming weeks.  Mentees with advanced degrees will no longer be completely excluded.

3.  I, Jennifer Ruth Jackson, will only write two blog posts a month at most.  I'm hoping work and posts from contributors will fill the weeks I don't, but if it doesn't happen... it just doesn't.

4.  I'm going to be approaching certain artists this year.  There are so many creative people in our community doing incredible work, and I want to highlight it all.  Of course, I'm a chicken, so this makes me exceedingly nervous.  They can't all refuse, right?

Giveaway: Falling for Myself by Dorothy Ellen Palmer

Image description:  On a blue background (with all the text in white), it says "Falling for Myself" in big letters across the top half.  The "o" in "for" is a racing wheelchair symbol.  Under the title, it says "a memoir" in small, lowercase letters.  The author's name is written across the bottom.

We are giving away a copy of the memoir Falling for Myself by Dorothy Ellen Palmer. The entry window starts today (January 3rd) and ends on February 27th. Learn more about the book by clicking here (the link goes to Amazon).     

Rules: 

1.  Open to anyone in the world. If the winner is outside of the 48 contiguous United States, they will receive the Kindle edition. If the winner resides in one of the 48 states, they will have the option of  the Kindle edition or a physical copy.

2.  People may enter by leaving a comment on this post, emailing us at handyuncappedpen@gmail.com or getting in touch with us on Twitter @HandUnPen. Please make it clear what you are contacting us for.

3.  Only one entry per person.

4.  Drawing will be random, and the winner will be notified on February 28th (by 11:59 PM CST) via the method they entered with. So, if the person who won entered via email, they will receive an email... and so on.

5.  No substitutions. Void where prohibited.