More Rav drama, and definitely more confusion.
Emails and blog posts. Denial. Gaslighting. Apologies and partial apologies. Claims and counter-claims. Promises. Sock puppets. People being thrown under the bus? Words that are finally (and way too late) a little bit encouraging, but need to be followed up by actions.
Through it all, it seems that the mess on Ravelry has brought out facets of another “-ism”, as one that doesn’t seem to be as important to some folks. Ableism. It’s finally being talked about, although it appears many people would prefer that it be swept back under the rug. A lot of reactions from people who are not aware of what disabilities are and what they can mean to those who cope with them are steeped in privilege – and they don’t seem to care. (Privilege as in “It’s not a problem because it’s not a problem for me personally.”) Comments or “jokes” thrown out casually are full of microaggressions.
I guess the marginalization of some groups isn’t considered so bad? Easier to dismiss? Inclusivity when it comes to disabilities / the neurodiverse isn’t trendy or sexy enough? Or convenient? Too much work?
I’m baffled. I really am.
People with invisible disabilities and/or chronic medical conditions are constantly coping with their illnesses and at the same time struggling against ignorance, skepticism, disbelief, and often harassment from people who think that it’s not a serious issue or that disabled people are only those who have a visible, physical impairment (that they would prefer to keep out of sight). People with disabilities park in a spot reserved for the disabled, and passersby yell at them for using the spot, because they’re not using a wheelchair, or they “don’t look sick”, so it’s assumed they’re able-bodied. I have seen a person try and grab a service dog from someone because “you’re obviously not blind,” ignorant to the fact that service animals help in many more ways. Those with vision, hearing, pain, mobility or neurological issues face disregard from people who are wholly unaware of what they need and what may be an obstacle for them.
Medical professionals are not immune to this either:
If you feel you would like to know more about the subject, here and here are places to start. If others have useful or better links, please add them in the comments.
To look more closely at the ableism going on in the fiber arts world, I’ll use the stereotypical, icon concept of disability ♿ since invisible disabilities seem to be so problematic for some folks to wrap their heads around.
Let’s say there’s one yarn shop in town. It’s got a huge stock of yarn and accessories, knowledgeable and helpful staff; there’s a room where members of the community give classes regularly, and an area with couches for fiber nights or for people to just hang out and knit/crochet with others during the day, and there’s always someone to help out with that difficult stitch or confusing pattern. Then one morning, the owner proudly displays a new facade for the shop, which includes a new fancy flight of stairs to the entrance! Long-time patrons who use wheelchairs or have other mobility issues stop on the sidewalk in confusion. They say, “But…now we can’t come in.” And they are told, “But look at how pretty and trendy it is!” They continue to protest. One of the owners, miffed at how ungrateful and unappreciative they are, tells them that fine, they can come in by the back door through the alley and pass through the stock room into the shop for now, but that’s only temporary, they have plans to put stairs there too eventually. Other patrons, who love the new look, tell those who are protesting, “Oh for goodness’ sake, if you don’t like it, you don’t have to come here at all.” and “Some people just can’t handle change!” The staff says “Well, besides the fact that you can’t use the stairs, what do you think of the colours and the lovely railing design?” At one point the patrons stuck outside are told, “Hey, I read this article by a doctor who says that the majority of disabilities are psychosomatic, so I think you really can climb the stairs if you want to.” Then another owner says, “Wow, sorry about that. We’ll look into the possibilities of talking with someone about maybe adding a ramp.”
Is this a clearer picture?
What part of any of this is OK?
Eclecticitee 