Feminist Disability Studies

by Ellen Samuels (Contributor), Rosemarie Garland-Thomson (Contributor), Susannah B. Mintz (Contributor)

Disability, like questions of race, gender, and class, is one of the most provocative topics among theorists and philosophers today. This volume, situated at the intersection of feminist theory and disability studies, addresses questions about the nature of embodiment, the meaning of disability, the impact of public policy on those who have been labeled disabled, and how we define the norms of mental and physical ability. The essays here bridge the gap between theory and activism by illuminating structures of power and showing how historical and cultural perceptions of the human body have been informed by and contributed to the oppression of women and disabled people.

Genres: Disability, Disability Studies, Feminism, Nonfiction, Social Justice, Sociology, Mental Health

323 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2011

About the author

Ellen Samuels is a disability writer and scholar and Associate Professor of Gender & Women's Studies and English at the University of Wisconsin at Madison.

Reviews

[Avory Faucette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would recommend this book particularly for those comfortable reading academic texts who don't have a solid grounding in the disability community, or who haven't considered the gendered implications of disability discourse and activism. Some chapters are a bit dense, and moderately dated, but there is important work being done here at the intersection of feminism and disability studies with a range of subject areas considered. Intersectionality of other kinds also plays a role, though not to the extent I would expect for a more recently published volume. I appreciate, though, the way various chapters engage with queerness, Deafhood, chronic illness/invisible disability, and fatness (and particularly was glad to see the latter tackled as there's often an attempt to put a moral wedge between fatness and disability experiences.)

[Sophie Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing collection of essays. Highly recommend for anyone interested in disability studies.

[Mentai · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume shows how disability -- a contested word, just as 'women' is -- may be engaged with critically. For me the most valuable essays are the ones that point out there are no easy methods to analysing disability. For example, to simply exchange 'disability' for 'gender' in Butler's work on performativity, although a good idea in theory, does not necessarily work in practice. (Please excuse me, I'm writing this from memory and it's been some time, I will come back with the author). The other relevant piece in this collection -- not only for me, but for feminism I believe -- is an essay that traces connections between the first white feminists in the US and their active support and promotion of the eugenics movement. At best this is ablist and patronising; at worst, it is abuse. It is worrying that these events are tied up in white feminism's genesis in one of the most influential countries of the world. This is perhaps why it is urgent that liberal white, ablist-oriented feminism needs to reflect on the struggles and differences of others - both past and present.

[Sohini Sarkar]

If I were to ask you that Disability today associates immediately with medicine, would you agree? Linton along with other eminent personalities claim that Disability today is not strictly restricted to medical term. It broadly speaks out on identity studies like Feminism or Queer Studies. Kim Q. Hall’s edit of Feminist Disability Studies does make one wonder how Feminism as a movement has gained momentum but has not been successful at including the disabled community. The role of these women in Feminist discourse is next to invisible. And if one were to take my thought on this field after thoroughly taking in the book, I would advise inclusivity is crucial to bringing about a change in stringent thought process. Rooting out disability, stripping away another Ashley’s right to reproduce, or to slur at women who are different can create trauma that lasts a lifetime. Disability, in my opinion, should be talked about in a more positive light- eliminating invisibility that anyway casts upon them. Small steps like inclusivity, social media and popular culture’s coverage of the disabled without medical gaze or sympathy can be treated as powerful steps towards bringing changes to society.

[Grant Knuckles · Rating 1 out of 5]

i have known of several cases where people with disabilities have been physically abused. Taken advantage of. Often the abused will not be believed.And sanctions her fate. Police are often useless in these situations. The abuser tries to pay moneitarily for their silence. A flagrant abuse of power.
I have discussed this problem with many female teachers. They agree.

[Kate Savage · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm kind of giddy about this book. Reading it, I felt inspired and I felt challenged, and it's been a while since theory really got at me like that. Feminist disability theory is lively and bold and hasn't been considered enough. People who think should read this.

One essay by Susannah B. Mintz discusses Georgina Kleege's memoir Sight Unseen, which analyzes blindness and sightedness. It sorts through the "touchingly naive" notions of sighted people, and prioritizes an epistemology of blindness (rather than using one sense, with certainty, to utilize multiple senses and retain uncertainty). I'm still thinking about it constantly. And I'm thinking about disability in wartime (an essay by Nirmala Erevelles), what the poetry of Gwendolyn Brooks has to say about race and war and disability (by Jennifer C. James), the case of the deaf lesbians (by Alison Kafer), and fat embodiment (by April Herndon).

And I'm still stumbling about trying to figure out what I believe about physician assisted suicide and elective abortions of children with disabilities, both of which are often criticized in disability studies. It feels like that fruitful kind of aporia, though, you know?

[Laurel Perez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection is a game changer, it was incredibly enlightening on issues I have not heard and certainly not yet read enough about. This volume shows how disability a contested word, just as 'woman' is, may be engaged with critically. The most valuable essays are the ones that point out there are no easy methods to analyzing disability. I feel like I have a lot to think about, and more to critically engage with from here on out.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

My full review of this book can be found at Global Comment: http://globalcomment.com/review-femin...

[Mills College Library]

362.4082 F3294 2011

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars just because it exists. Ha. Screw able-bodied feminism.