{"id":626,"date":"2014-07-04T18:13:05","date_gmt":"2014-07-04T22:13:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/disabilityinkidlit.wordpress.com\/?p=626"},"modified":"2020-11-05T19:57:56","modified_gmt":"2020-11-05T19:57:56","slug":"discussion-5-representation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/disabilityinkidlit.com\/test\/2014\/07\/04\/discussion-5-representation\/","title":{"rendered":"Discussion: Is any<\/em> representation better than no<\/em> representation?"},"content":{"rendered":"

For our first anniversary, we\u2019re bringing back the discussion post<\/a>\u00a0format! In these posts, we ask our contributors for their thoughts on various topics. We\u2019ll post one every Friday this month. Today, we asked:<\/p>\n

Is<\/em> any representation better than no representation? That argument frequently comes up in response to criticism, but is it valid?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

s.e. smith:<\/a><\/strong>
\nNO! If a representation is bad, it’s harmful, and it perpetuates negative beliefs, attitudes, and stereotypes \u2014 or just erroneous information. This argument is totally invalid, because it suggests that we should be grateful for the scraps from the table, even if they’re stale or molding. That’s ridiculous. We’re owed a duty of care and respect, and people who want to integrate diversity into their storytelling (which everyone should!) need to be prepared to take it on seriously, not include it as a slapdash afterthought<\/p>\n

\n

Marieke Nijkamp:<\/a><\/strong>
\nEverything. s.e. said. Every. Single. Word.<\/p>\n

\n

Kayla Whaley:<\/strong><\/a>
\nAlso no for me. I think what s.e. said was spot on: there’s this expectation that we (disabled folks) should be happy we’re included at all, no matter the form that takes. That any <\/i>inclusion and representation is a gift <\/i>we’ve been given, and it’s ridiculous for us to expect it to be an accurate, respectful portrayal on top of that. That that’s asking way too much of authors. Which, honestly, if you think putting some thought and care into writing your disabled characters is way too demanding, I’m going to assume you don’t put thought or care into any of your characters. I realize that answer got a little off track, but yeah, what s.e. said basically.<\/p>\n

\n

Sara Polsky:<\/a><\/b>
\nNo, I don’t think any representation is better than no representation. One-dimensional, stereotypical, or inaccurate portrayals of characters with disabilities harm all readers, whether they have disabilities or not. Poor representation leaves readers who have no other experience with disability with narrow ideas about the lives of people with disabilities, and it leaves people with disabilities with no true reflection of their own experience.<\/p>\n

\n

What about you, dearest readers? How do you feel about the any representation is better than no representation suggestion?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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