tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907954592176346823.post1474492773230619129..comments2023-10-05T10:47:49.109-05:00Comments on Different Spokes: The "cripple nod"Derinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03656587957801277676noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907954592176346823.post-75523194745187045732010-02-24T21:17:32.223-06:002010-02-24T21:17:32.223-06:00Don't forget about the lesbian nod. Another co...Don't forget about the lesbian nod. Another comparison with some commonalities, and a number of differences. (Particularily the part where they try to look disinterested and mildly sexy when they execute the gesture-- unique to my tribe? I hope so, for everyone's sake.)<br /><br />Wonderful blog, you guys- we're learning a lot and laughing too. Keep it up- we are loving reading it.Lisa Snoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907954592176346823.post-83556235978181487312010-02-18T21:58:28.088-06:002010-02-18T21:58:28.088-06:00Okay, one more go at this...
The two analogies I g...Okay, one more go at this...<br />The two analogies I gave were admittedly weak. They both dealt with someone's choice to be in the 'minority' (whether a rare car or a traveling fan). But the point still stands, the mutual recognition serves to identify the uniqueness in the other. That is, even if the whole world were 'ramped' and 'accessible', there still would be something unique to recognize in the other. It is not like brown haired people nodding at other brunettes. There is little 'unique' about brown. But green, then I think the nod is justified. <br />Regardless, it seems the nod will (should?) last until there are more wheel-chair goers than able-bodied types. I say should, because I fear the goal to eliminate the nod is wrong-headed. It seems we should have more nods and more recognition, rather than the anonymity that seems to plague--just keep walking (rolling) and don't look up. <br />Just a thought.Geoff and Nikkihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13042636950797690012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907954592176346823.post-39233820598483556592010-02-18T18:30:52.567-06:002010-02-18T18:30:52.567-06:00Haddayr,
You make a great point about our group o...Haddayr,<br /><br />You make a great point about our group of people being discriminated against or oppressed. <br /><br />I think the more I think about this topic, and the more I talk it over with people, the more I'm starting to move over to the other side of the issue.<br /><br />In an ideal world, we wouldn't have to have any sort of solidarity (that's not say, however, that solidarity is bad). But if we're seen as just another person and treated as just another person, then a nod or smile is not as necessary. In reality, that world does not exist.<br /><br />So in the end, I think I'm using the idea of the cripple nod to illustrate how I <i>want</i> my ideal world to treat me. And I'm trying to do my part to move us closer to that idealistic view. But it's probably naive of me to ignore the reality of the situation and think it's not necessary for us to band together to show strength and fight oppression.Danielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15288278791406231644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907954592176346823.post-60149175533659783402010-02-18T16:13:18.732-06:002010-02-18T16:13:18.732-06:00Love the blog; disagree with the post. I nod as a ...Love the blog; disagree with the post. I nod as a sign of solidarity.<br /><br />Comparing it to cars or hair color is not a good comparison. We're a systematically oppressed group of people, many of whom are working to lift that oppression. Brown-haired people are not.<br /><br />When we're fully integrated into society, with ramps everywhere? We won't need the nod anymore.<br /><br />Until then, I'm acknowledging that we're all part of the same struggle.Haddayrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02538105167989517633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907954592176346823.post-42213952207778928402010-02-14T14:23:48.621-06:002010-02-14T14:23:48.621-06:00Hey Geoff,
You put some thought into that respons...Hey Geoff,<br /><br />You put some thought into that response! I like it! Anyway, you make some solid points. I think your idea regarding being a part of a unique group is especially interesting. The major difference, in my mind, is that in terms of sports fans, what kind of car you drive, etc., you are CHOOSING to be a member of that unique group. In the case of a disability, you haven't made that choice. <br /><br />Do you wave at people who have your same hair color? Maybe you do, and maybe we should all acknowledge our traits in that sort of way. So I can possibly be swayed on this topic. And as you mentioned, it may be better for the entire disabled population to embrace ourselves as a group. I just think if somebody wasn't planning on acknowledging my existence otherwise, I'd rather not have it be because I'm using a wheelchair. I feel like, as a society, we should be able to move past that.Danielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15288278791406231644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907954592176346823.post-18902279187043231802010-02-13T21:28:12.779-06:002010-02-13T21:28:12.779-06:00Nice work guys, I had no idea you were doing this!...Nice work guys, I had no idea you were doing this! <br />Dan, about your dislike of the 'cripple nod'--I think I know what you mean, though obviously only theoretically. However, I wonder if the nod has other analogies. For instance, the honk of a horn along the road when two similar cars pass by each other. I don't know if you remember or not, but my Dad used to drive a Miata. He'd be driving down the road, pass another Miata (not often, but occasionally) and give a light tap on the horn to acknowledge the other Miata's presence--and vice versa as well. Or another example (maybe more familiar) might be like at The Horseshoe, surrounded in a sea of Scarlet and Gray, and you spot another Maize and Blue out there. You give the guy a high-five, whether you know him or not, share similar worldviews/interests/etc (at least you're cheering for the right team!) or not. You just do because you're in Maize and Blue and so is he. Now, both of these are only analogies, and inevitably break down--but I think they are comparable. In each case the one who is unique recognizes his own uniqueness in the other (whether that uniqueness is by choice or not). I don't know if that is so bad. It is a phenomenon, I think, that can only be shared among the unique. The able-bodied don't give each other high-fives simply because they see another able-bodied person, their hand would become sore. And so maybe the 'cripple nod' is something to embrace, as it is a way in which each can share in the uniqueness of the other. It seems as though the 'nod' wouldn't detract from the goal of 'full integration;' but encourage those who, fully integrated or not, will always find their uniqueness in the other. But then again, take this all with a grain of salt, since you know it comes from one who doesn't get to share in the 'cripple nod.'<br />I hope you keep posting, you're now on the 'Reader'!Geoff and Nikkihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13042636950797690012noreply@blogger.com