Disability and Empire: Class, US Imperialism, and the Struggle for Disability Justice

by Joyce Chediac, Jane Cutter, John Peter Daly

Disability and Empire: Class, US Imperialism, and the Struggle for Disability Justice aims to bring visibility to the liberation struggle of people with disabilities, adding an internationalist and class perspective—and making them the subject, not the object, of history.

Exploring the social construction of “disability” in the US, the authors look at the history of the disability rights movement, bringing in the stories and voices of those engaged in the daily fight for a better world: from solidarity with liberation struggles of the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s; to building solidarity between care workers and clients; to the victories won by disability activists and the status of rights for people with disabilities today. This book also expands beyond the US, critically examining the role of U.S. imperialism in killing and disabling millions, as well as studying how other societies deal with disability. Looking ahead, it paints a picture of what disability justice may look like under socialism.

Genres: Disability, Nonfiction

96 pages, Paperback

Published September 28, 2024

Reviews

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent and timely little booklet indicting the US Empire for its global devastation and exploitative abandonment of the disabled at home. With important historical comparisons to socialist projects, points towards a future where society is built for everyone, by everyone.

[Nichole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you 1804Books for a gifted copy of this book.

At only 70 pages this book covers a lot of history from Black Panthers to Cuba to the Disability rights movement. There is certainly a lot of good info in here and a good argument for why socialism would be a more equality based system. This book is great for why the US Military Industrial Complex is harmful for all, why capitalism is always look to exploit, and how even with “wins” progress goes backwards.

While there was great stuff in here, there are a few things that didn’t sit right with me.

The book paints a very Black and white picture of so-called america while leaving out that Indigenous people are the most harmed by occupation of their land and deal with intentional violence that has led to mass amounts of disability. When talking about empowering movements, the AIM movement was left out. Still, the book wants to reimagine a future ameriKa while not centering Indigenous leadership and sovereignty and land back. This is especially important when we talk of disability and how our lifestyles lead to mass disability.

I also didn’t find that this book is abolitionist focused and the Prison Industrial Complex is a huge contributor to disability in ameriKa.

Overall the book felt liberal and from the perspective of white people, while trying not to be that. Sadly it needs more radical and anti-racist, anti-imperialist thinking.

[Jules Nymo · Rating 5 out of 5]

an important quick informative read on the disability struggle and how it connects to the working class struggle in the U.S. empire. it offers historical context of various oppression faced by the disabled comrades, and how they fought to overcome those oppression. Yet the ADA passed in 90s doesn’t enforce the true accessibility for the disabled. it conveys in a precise, easy way to comprehend the reason why capitalism fails in this sense and how socialism would succeed for the disabled people.

[MM · Rating 5 out of 5]

the thing i find lovely and breath of fresh air about PSL publications consistently whether on Liberation News or in their actual publications is the fact that they can write in a single paragraph what some people in this world will expound upon for an entire PhD dissertation

there's nothing wrong with being thorough and precise and intellectual and rigorous - however, sometimes all the working class needs is the main point, the main thesis, summarized clearly in three sentences

i read this in one breath last night because i also ordered four copies and i wanted to gift them to certain colleagues in my union but also it's kinda stupid to do that if i hadn't read it myself first.

there is a section in the early part of the book that commemorates a couple of disability rights activists who were murdered by capitalism: Carrie Ann Lucas and Engracia Figueroa -- when i read that Carrie Ann Lucas was arbitrarily denied a claim by UNITED HEALTHCARE, i audibly gasped

Carrie Ann Lucas presente!

[Roshi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm giving this 4 instead of 5 stars because I wanted more!
This book was a short and (sweet? but not because this shit sucks?) analysis of how disability was socially constructed, what continuously creates disability (i.e. the military industrial complex, lack of adequate and affordable health care, capitalism), and challenges people with disabilities continue to face decades after the passing of the ADA. The book argues that replacing capitalism with socialism in the U.S. can address many, if not all, of these challenges and barriers for people with disabilities (and honestly, all of us) to living full, flourishing lives. This book offered a plethora of strong and supported claims that argue the ways in which the United States neglects, discriminates, and exploits individuals with disabilities (past and present).
I particularly appreciated the chapter entitled "Building Solidarity Between Care Workers and Clients." As a former Direct Support Professional and now DSP Training Coordinator, I see first hand the complete breakdown of solidarity between the worker and the individual served. Direct care workers are not paid or supported nearly enough on a micro and macro level. From the organizations they work for treating them poorly (especially if they are not unionized), to state governments not allocating enough funds to funnel into disability serves and livable wages, and on top of all of this, direct care work is not (yet) seen as a career that can offer meaningful pathways to higher pay. Capitalism and direct care work cannot coexist when workers are continuously exploited. John Peter Daly put it beautifully: "...the working conditions of caregivers are the living conditions of people with disabilities. This fact lays the basis for a joint struggle."
State agencies are trying to creatively address the growing shortage of Direct Support Professionals by employing incentivized training programs, which are absolutely needed, but do not target the root issue that is a lack of a livable wage and benefits. To me, it feels like a "here, get educated and work harder/put in more hours to earn this $100, but we can't give any raises, sorry."

BRB recommending this book to everyone I know!

[Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book! Fast read covering the history, protests, successes, setbacks and recent climate around disability justice in the United States. I appreciate how the book begins with a reminder of disability as a social construct; the ruling class and healthcare system have socialized Americans into our current understanding of disability and how it is defined under a capitalist regime. Pre-colonized cultures were discovered to have seamless integration of all community members regardless of their bodies or wellbeing. Only post-industrialization, when human value started being measured as it relates to labor output did such distinctions of abled versus disabled start to emerge. These categorizations have been used to alienate individuals with impairments of any kind, praising able bodies for their return on performed labor in this emerging economic structure. Let's not forget that these distinctions and definitions are recent devices invented by capitalist stakeholders to oppress marginalized communities and silence disability justice advocates. Through visibility, movement workers, protests and literature has progress been made. Unfortunately, so many Americans are still struggling to survive under a privatized healthcare industry that the fight is far from over.

[Erich Stoltzfus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick read, extremely effective at illustrating the failures of capitalist health care and the successes of socialism

[Jenya Cassidy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great short book on the history of the disability rights movement in the US and the situation of disabled workers right now. I liked the connection between disability rights and US Empire.