In reading the chapters assigned in Adams, I found most of it to be very interesting, and several parts stood out to me. One part in particular was the section 'Allies.' According to Adams, allies are "members of the advantaged group who act against the oppression from which they derive power, privilege, and acceptance." While I do not consider myself a strong 'activist,' I still feel like I can relate to this.
Several years ago my father was diagnosed with cancer, which eventually led to him using a wheelchair and handicap plates or tags for our vehicles. Whenever we went out into public people would stare at us, mainly my dad, like something was wrong or abnormal. Really? What is there to stare at? It's a person in a wheelchair, not a weird freak of science or something!
The simple task of parking and getting out o your vehicle isn't so easy when your mobility is impaired. We would park in handicap spots, IF they were available, but I remember several cases when there were vehicles without handicap plates or tags parked in the handicap spots. One time even led to a verbal confrontation (or should I say shouting match) in the parking lot between my mother and another person. I guess you could consider her more of an activist than me. One of my biggest pet peeves to this day, is people parking in handicap spots illegally.
Another thing this experience opened my eyes to was the entrance into buildings. How are people in wheelchairs or other mobility problems supposed to get inside without a ramp? Newly constructed buildings are required to meet these needs, but some older buildings have an intricate system of twists and turns up a narrow ramp that can be difficult to maneuver.
Although I, as an individual can relate to being an ally, I believe it is because I am on my way to being a social worker. After all, we will all one day become allies to people.
I really dislike that people do park in handicap spots too. I could only imagine all the work that comes with even getting out and in the car with the wheelchair. I can sort of relate, parking far and having to take so much stuff with me for my 9 month old son. I wish they had spots for people with infants BUT surely like with the handicap spots they would be taken.
ReplyDeleteI do agree with your points and that we are, if not already,allies to people.
After reading all of the assigned readings I directly went to blogging and focusing my thoughts around oppression and dominant vs subordinate groups. I am glad you brought up the point of allies. I believe allies are such an important aspect when looking at changing views of others as creating change for subordinate groups. Without allies perhaps there would not be a voice for an individual or a group of people. Without allies subordinate groups may feel as if there is no point in pursuing change because they may feel as if no one is on their side. As future social workers I feel it is important to show that we are allies and we are willing and eager no less to help others.
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