Thursday, November 23, 2006

Not created equal, but we can all be a pain in the a**

 

There is a lot going on in society just now about equality and inclusion. And I agree with it. I won't bore you with the details, but let's just say my childhood was certainly not the epitome of opportunity.

From what I have read, and been told, there are all sorts of stereotypes associated.... I'm stuck here. I don't want to give offence, some people I know are happy to be 'disabled', some are not. Some people regard themselves as 'wheelchair users', some do not. I guess what I 'm saying is, there is so much political correctness that meaningful dialogue is almost impossible. Don't apply labels - erm, ok. I'm a knitter. That's a label. Labels are ok if they're ok with the labelee. But just what is ok?

Where am I going with all of this? I count myself as being very fortunate, although I live with chronic pain. I would not wish to have to use a wheel chair, or have a visual impairment. I am fortunate and I would like every person on the planet to have equality of opportunity. Surely, though, equality shouldn't be sugar coated. If not able-bodied, or are otherwise 'different' and you're a pain in the a**, you should expect to be told so? As I commented recently, when I was depressed I was a real pain in the a*** - I don't know if that has changed any! Being depressed might explain behaviour, but being explainable doesn't make it acceptable. Beyond an individual's own limits of tolerance, why SHOULD unacceptable behaviour be accepted?

If you have a comment which you would like to put forward in a reasonable fashion, please do. If you want to simply rant, do it on your own blog.

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