{"id":3597,"date":"2016-05-20T09:00:19","date_gmt":"2016-05-20T13:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/disabilityinkidlit.com\/?p=3597"},"modified":"2020-11-04T15:00:44","modified_gmt":"2020-11-04T15:00:44","slug":"diklsff-a-conversation-about-disability-in-science-fiction-and-fantasy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/disabilityinkidlit.com\/test\/2016\/05\/20\/diklsff-a-conversation-about-disability-in-science-fiction-and-fantasy\/","title":{"rendered":"#diklSFF: A Conversation About Disability in Science Fiction and Fantasy"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>On March 20, 2016, halfway through our disability in SFF event, we held a Twitter chat tagged #diklSFF to explore specific issues surrounding representation of disability in science fiction and fantasy. Our social media coordinator, Yahong (\u5a05\u6cd3) Chi, led the discussion. Five questions and one hour produced rich and thought-provoking dialogue among readers and writers alike. The complete Storify with all the best tweets can be found <a href=\"https:\/\/storify.com\/DisabilityInLit\/diklsff-disability-in-kidlit-chat-to-discuss-disab\">here<\/a>; read on for a summary of the conversation.<\/p>\n<p>Our first question asked about common disability tropes in SFF, and why they appear. Many responses noted the wide-ranging erasure of disability first and foremost, either through a complete lack of representation or the transformation of disability into a superpower or magical power. Possible explanations for the common disability-superpower link from participants included ableist ideas of compensation and defaulting to familiar devices. Another trope noted was the \u201ccure\u201d and its illogical foundations, given the many causes of disability.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">I see disability represented in sci fi as something that technological utopias strive to get rid of <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/diklSFF?src=hash\">#diklSFF<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 WEYLAND-YUTANI HONEY (@boyyyhowdy) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/boyyyhowdy\/status\/711585607831703553\">March 20, 2016<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"><p>\nA1: Disability as magical powers. I don&#8217;t think it&#8217;s absolutely exclusive to fantasy, but it&#8217;s more common, because magic. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/diklSFF?src=hash\">#diklSFF<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 theories of minds (@theoriesofminds) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/theoriesofminds\/status\/711585859246514176\">March 20, 2016<\/a>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-conversation=\"none\" data-lang=\"en\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">.<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/boyyyhowdy\">@boyyyhowdy<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/DisabilityInLit\">@DisabilityInLit<\/a> Disability is &#8220;cured&#8221; by advanced civilizations in SFF or disabled ppl are left to die at birth. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/diklSFF?src=hash\">#diklSFF<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 sarah (@shoesforall) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/shoesforall\/status\/711586237996515328\">March 20, 2016<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>In contrast, our second question asked participants about positive disability representation in SFF. Responses included the acknowledgement and normalization of disability in future societies, using SFF to explore attitudes to disability, exploring the potentials of assistive technology, and simply offering disabled characters main roles in fantastical stories. Participants also discussed the powerful possibility of representing powers derived from disabilities in SFF stories by disabled writers.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-conversation=\"none\" data-lang=\"en\"><p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/DisabilityInLit\">@DisabilityInLit<\/a> I think acknowledging disability as normal is good. It&#8217;s either a plot point for a super power or seen as burden <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/diklSFF?src=hash\">#diklSFF<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Michael Davis (@mostobviousname) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/mostobviousname\/status\/711589486862471169\">March 20, 2016<\/a>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">A2: SFF can be used to show accessible societies. Imagining new ways to make accessible spaces, different social attitudes, etc. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/diklSFF?src=hash\">#diklSFF<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Polenth Blake (@Polenth) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Polenth\/status\/711589515949953024\">March 20, 2016<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"><p>\nSFF offers beautiful opportunities to represent marginalization, including disability, from new angles. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/diklSFF?src=hash\">#diklSFF<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Natasha Razi (@swingingstorm) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/swingingstorm\/status\/711589488594718724\">March 20, 2016<\/a>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>For our next question, we asked participants what they thought of unnamed disabilities in SFF settings. Answers ranged from the inclusion of acknowledgement, even if named differently, to the importance and place for stories exploring disability without diagnosis. Some also noted the issues of labels being perceived as bad, or a book being named as a \u201cpolitical\u201d or \u201cissue\u201d book.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">I think as long as there&#8217;s A word for the disability in that world, it makes sense it might not be OUR word <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/diklSFF?src=hash\">#diklSFF<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/jEb7rC0aXu\">https:\/\/t.co\/jEb7rC0aXu<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Kayla Whaley (@PunkinOnWheels) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/PunkinOnWheels\/status\/711593088322510848\">March 20, 2016<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"><p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/DisabilityInLit\">@DisabilityInLit<\/a> important bc modern (Anglophone) terminology hasn&#8217;t always existed, but those disabilities have! <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/diklSFF?src=hash\">#diklSFF<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Kraken Syllabub (@kraken_syllabub) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/kraken_syllabub\/status\/711593227875446784\">March 20, 2016<\/a>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">A3: But&#8230;I think there&#8217;s also room to explore what it&#8217;s like to grow up in a world that doesn&#8217;t have a word for your experiences. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/diklSFF?src=hash\">#diklSFF<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 theories of minds (@theoriesofminds) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/theoriesofminds\/status\/711592704870748160\">March 20, 2016<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Question four broached SFF-specific ways of erasing disability. Participants suggested pain-free assistive technology that effectively rendered disabled characters non-disabled, the assigning of disability to villains or as character flaws, and representation of invented disabilities in lieu of real-world ones. On a broader scale, sweeping eradication of disability within the dystopia subgenre was noted, along with its assumptions of superfluity and worth.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"><p>\nA4: Assistive magic\/tech that&#8217;s just like not being disabled. No maintenance issues, pain from use, etc. Means it can be ignored. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/diklSFF?src=hash\">#diklSFF<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Polenth Blake (@Polenth) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Polenth\/status\/711596698640982016\">March 20, 2016<\/a>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">As another example, dystopia often uniquely positions disabled characters as superfluous. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/diklSFF?src=hash\">#diklSFF<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Disability in Kidlit (@DisabilityInLit) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/DisabilityInLit\/status\/711596667468980224\">March 20, 2016<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"><p>\nA5: I find this really concerning. Eradicating us is seen as an ideal, something to aspire to. An uncontested positive. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/diklSFF?src=hash\">#diklSFF<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Corinne Duyvis (@corinneduyvis) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/corinneduyvis\/status\/711596565237010432\">March 20, 2016<\/a>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Our final question asked people for their recommendations of books with positive disability representation in SFF. Happily, there were many. We&#8217;ve included some here, but be sure to check out the Storify to see all the titles!<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Six of Crows <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/LBardugo\">@LBardugo<\/a> &#8212; competent, complex characters whose disabilities are important but not central (and multiple disabilies!) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/diklSFF?src=hash\">#diklSFF<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Natasha Razi (@swingingstorm) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/swingingstorm\/status\/711597779987070976\">March 20, 2016<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"><p>\nAnne Ursu&#8217;s THE REAL BOY! I&#8217;m such a broken record. Lovely MG fantasy with an autistic boy protag. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/diklSFF?src=hash\">#diklSFF<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Corinne Duyvis (@corinneduyvis) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/corinneduyvis\/status\/711597898522370049\">March 20, 2016<\/a>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">I liked RJ Anderson&#8217;s Knife (wheelchair user) and also Ultraviolet (mental health). <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/diklSFF?src=hash\">#diklSFF<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Emily Kate Johnston (@ek_johnston) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ek_johnston\/status\/711603538128797696\">March 20, 2016<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"><p>\nI also LOVE <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/LaAnnaMarie\">@LaAnnaMarie<\/a>&#8216;s THE WEIGHT OF FEATHERS. The disability&#8217;s tied to the MC &amp; world beautifully <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/diklSFF?src=hash\">#diklSFF<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/fDJYBoUOTJ\">https:\/\/t.co\/fDJYBoUOTJ<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Kayla Whaley (@PunkinOnWheels) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/PunkinOnWheels\/status\/711598315184504832\">March 20, 2016<\/a>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/diklSFF?src=hash\">#diklSFF<\/a> The Michael Vey YA series&#8217; protagonist has Tourette&#8217;s. The Unmasked Truth by Armstrong addresses mental illness.<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 kddailey (@kddailey) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/kddailey\/status\/711667888063512576\">March 20, 2016<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>We thank everyone who participated in the #diklSFF Twitter chat, and remember that the entirety of the SFF event will always be available to view here on the site under the <a href=\"http:\/\/disabilityinkidlit.com\/tag\/sff-event\/\">sff-event<\/a> tag.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We recap the highlights of our #diklSFF Twitter chat, including a link to the full Storify.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3605,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_generate-full-width-content":"","kt_blocks_editor_width":""},"categories":[69],"tags":[221,298],"genre":[9,35],"age_category":[],"disability":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/disabilityinkidlit.com\/test\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3597"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/disabilityinkidlit.com\/test\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/disabilityinkidlit.com\/test\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disabilityinkidlit.com\/test\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disabilityinkidlit.com\/test\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3597"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/disabilityinkidlit.com\/test\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3597\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disabilityinkidlit.com\/test\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3605"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/disabilityinkidlit.com\/test\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3597"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disabilityinkidlit.com\/test\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3597"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disabilityinkidlit.com\/test\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3597"},{"taxonomy":"genre","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disabilityinkidlit.com\/test\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/genre?post=3597"},{"taxonomy":"age_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disabilityinkidlit.com\/test\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/age_category?post=3597"},{"taxonomy":"disability","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disabilityinkidlit.com\/test\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/disability?post=3597"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}