Ms. Beth Prevor

Disability – We Need to Keep Speaking Up!

Posted by Ms. Beth Prevor, May 26, 2016 0 comments


Ms. Beth Prevor

I've been asked to write something about the Americans for the Arts statement on Cultural Equity. First, thanks for asking. I believe statements like this are important to set a tone—to set a standard by which we create a core set of values necessary to create a society that honors and respects the differences we all possess. I will also say that these are my thoughts; I've learned that I can only speak for myself and much of what I want to say is food for thought, something to consider.

I am a member of a historically underrepresented group. I am disabled. I say that with pride in my identity, something that I was not always able to say. I also have to say that I sometimes get a bit frustrated by the dialogues that seem to be continuing but not always moving at the speed I'd like to see it move at and especially for not always including members of my 'peeps' in the discussion.

I love the arts—always have and always will—and without hesitation I can say I believe that the arts are an absolute necessity and right for all people. Over the last few years, I have taken to talking about disability and the arts—how disability is understood (or misunderstood), how disability is feared, how disability is discussed (or not discussed) with as many people (both disabled and nondisabled) as possible. Talking to each other, to understand our differences, is a powerful tool—especially with those of us who are different.

With that, I have tried as much as possible to step outside my comfort zone and the comfort of being around people like me, to infiltrate the world of the non-disabled. I have tried to put myself out there in settings that address the arts but where disability is not the focus in order to bring visibility and representation where often there is none.

It hasn't always been easy. It can be isolating and lonely. I gravitate to conversations about diversity and inclusion thinking that this is where I will find a discussion that I can participate in. More often than not this is not the case; disability is not on the agenda, disability it seems is often looked at as an afterthought.

I understand every underrepresented group is looking for inclusion, for representation, for recognition and a seat at the table. The Americans for the Arts Statement on Cultural Equity speaks for inclusion for everyone.

As with every underrepresented group, we each have a responsibility to make sure we continue to make our voices heard in the larger conversation.

 

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