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Section one: The fundamentals
A)
Exercise 1: Notebook Prompt
Many of you are likely familiar with the concept of “ability inequity,” which the authors of this article define as “an unjust or unfair (a) ‘distribution of access to and protection from abilities generated through human interventions’ or (b) ‘judgment of abilities intrinsic to biological structures such as the human body’.”
However, they go on to identify the following “ability concepts” that are less familiar:
1) ability security (one is able to live a decent life with whatever set of abilities one has)
2) ability identity security (to be able to be at ease with ones abilities)
How prevalent are these forms of security among disabled people you know? Or, if you identify as a disabled person, would you say your social surroundings and community foster and support these kinds of security? Furthermore, while the focus of the article is on Kinesiology programs, it is also important to reflect on how academia in general accommodates for disability. If you feel comfortable answering this question, what has been your experience of postsecondary education to date?
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The authors also observe that “Ableism not only intersects with other forms of oppression, such as racism, sexism, ageism, and classism, but abilities are often used to justify such negative ‘isms’.”
What do you think this means? Provide an example.
| To answer the first question, I have always grown up surrounded by high level athletes who were all nondisabled. This upbringing has certainly sheltered me from meeting any disabled people as typically, the sports I was playing were not designed for disabled athletes. However, from interactions I have had, one common theme is people typically are open to conversations about their disabilities which I see as a form of ability identity security. Being able to talk openly about ones disability and feel comfortable sharing that part of their life can be seen as a way for disabled people to embrace who they are, exemplifying ability identity security. Now, in regard to ability security, from what I have heard there is still a lot of work for society to do before people feel completely able to live a decent life with little challenges. This is a lot due to the fact our society is built for nondisabled people. For example, in a gender studies class I took last year we learned about the life of someone living in a wheelchair. They explained that the world is not built for wheelchairs as everywhere has doors and stairs but not every place has ramps and elevators. Things that make their life easier were more sparse, indicating that our society has not yet fully integrated inclusive practices into our world. When the authors explain that ableism intersects with other forms of oppression, I believe they are explaining that intersectionality often leads to people justifying their negative labels of others due to the fact they are disabled. For example, if a woman with a physical disability is denied a promotion over her male coworker, people may explain that it is because she could not handle the physical demands of the job when really it is the oppression of her being a women that caused her to lose this promotion.
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Exercise 2: Implicit Bias Test
Did anything surprise you about the results of the test? Please share if you’re comfortable OR comment on the usefulness of these kinds of tests more generally.
| I am not too surprised by the results of this test. While I am not in the majority of people who show a strong automatic preference for physically abled people over disabled people, I still showed a slight automatic preference. I think tests like these are very beneficial for understanding more about yourself. I have never taken a test like this before. Since it tests your implicit bias I think it is very beneficial as this type of bias is one that you are unaware of. After completing this activity, I will now be more aware of my implicit bias and while completing the rest of this module, try to combat my implicit bias by educating myself and actively thinking about others thoughts and opinions. I can see this test being used in more schools and classes to educate people on other issues as well as ableism. For example, maybe using this test to teach Canadians about their implicit bias to Indigenous people. This could be useful, especially for the government to do so they can become more aware of how their implicit bias may be impacting their ability to fairly treat Indigenous people.
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B) Keywords
Exercise 3:
Add the keyword you contributed to padlet and briefly (50 words max) explain its importance to you.
Inclusion
This word is important to me because I feel it can sometimes get overlooked. Some people may view inclusion as simply accepting others for who they are. While, yes, this is a part of inclusion, in my opinion we need to go further. Inclusion should involve active steps being taken to make people feel supported, heard, valued and respected. Inclusion is not simply about acknowledging differences. Rather, it is an active process that involves education and communication with one another.
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B) On Disability
Exercise 4: Complete the Activities
Exercise 5: Notebook Prompt
What do Fitzgerald and Long identify as barriers to inclusion and how might these apply to sport in particular?
Fitzgerald and Long explain that it is society that disables people through the barriers that are imposed. To start, the first barrier they explain is inaccessible transport. This barrier can be applied to sport in a variety of ways. First, I think about teams who must travel to away games, often they take a team bus. These buses always have stairs and a narrow walkway, making them extremely physically restricting. Those with physical disabilities may struggle to find transportation that is not only accessible, but comfortable and responsive to their needs. The second barrier explained is the composition of buildings and amenities. When applied to sport I think about how sports venues are often built for nondisabled people. Large crowds, stairwells, tight seating areas, bright lights are examples of how buildings and amenities contribute to the barriers disabled people face. Next is lack of opportunity which when applied to sport describes how disabled people do not have as much opportunity to play sports as nondisabled people. There are far more leagues for people who are not disabled to participate in than there are for disabled athletes. This means disabled athletes might have to travel further to find sports leagues that will give them the opportunity to play, showcasing again how society has imposed challenges for these people. Finally is prejudicial attitudes which is seen in sport when people are hurtful towards disabled people. This may involve confirming stereotypes or making false assumptions about ones ability. Overall, it is evident to me that society has imposed some barriers that make it even more challenging for disabled athletes to compete in sports. Fitzgerald and Long do a great job explaining that society is disabling people by not providing them with the resources to exist and prosper.
C) Inclusion, Integration, Separation
Exercise 6: Complete the Activities
Exercise 7: Notebook Prompt
Choose ONE of the three questions Fitzgerald and Long argue disability sport needs to address and record your thoughts in your Notebook.
- Should sport be grouped by ability or disability?
- Is sport for participation or competition?
- Should sport competitions be integrated?
| Is sport for participation or competition?
My initial reaction to this question is, it depends! In my opinion, everyone has different goals when it comes to sport, and the meaning of sport is different to each and every person. For some, sport is a means for fun and enjoyment, with no intention to compete. Now, for others, and how most media portrays sport, is for competition, that is the intention to compete and ultimately “win” a sport. Competitive sports in my experience are often more intense, serious and focused on the final outcome of a game. In contrast, participation is about skill development, enjoyment and fun. Sports for everyone often begin simply as participation, as most kids who begin sports are still learning to develop their skill and learning if this is something they actually enjoy. When I think about this question in the context of disabilities, my answer changes slightly. Disabled athletes, as discussed in the article are already facing challenges in sport due to the makeup of society. For some, sports can be used as means to stay active and connect with others- in this case, sports are being used for participation. However, I think about disabled athletes who have a drive to compete, or maybe they were previously a competitive athlete and were involved in an accident making them physically disabled. In these scenarios, it is wrong to say sport should just be for participation because again- that is a personal decision in my opinion. When disabled people compete in sport, it is often against others of similar physical abilities. I do believe that integrating sports competition may be an impressive way to break the boundaries set up by society. However, when I think about how some sports are altered for disabled people, it is hard to imagine how these people would compete in sports unaltered. For example, sitting volleyball is an adapted version of the sport that involves a much lower net and everyone sitting. The challenge that would be faced when integrating sports competition is how would sports be adapted to create a safe environment. By lowering the net in volleyball, nondisabled people would have an extreme advantage but by raising it puts disabled athletes at extreme disadvantage. It is hard to imagine a competition that integrates, but maybe that is simply because it has never been done before.
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Part Two: Making Connections
A) Gender, Sport and Disability
Exercise 8: Complete the Activity
The paradox that sportswomen habitually face (as the authors observe, this isn’t confined to disabled sportswomen) involves the expectation they will be successful in a ‘masculine’ environment while complying with femininity norms in order to be recognized as a woman.
True or false?
Take a moment to reflect on this paradox below (optional).
| I agree with this paradox. We learned in the decolonizing sports module that women were often discouraged from competing due to their expectation to be feminine. While I believe it is silly to label sports as a masculine environment, unfortunately that is how society is set up. I do believe that people only want to see women succeed when they are also confining to traditional feminine scripts (wearing their expected uniform, behaving politely etc.) |
B) Masculinity, Disability, and Murderball
Exercise 9: Notebook/Padlet Prompt
Watch the film, Murderball and respond to the question in the padlet below (you will have an opportunity to return to the film at the end of this module).
The authors of “Cripping Sport and Physical Activity: An Intersectional Approach to Gender and Disability” observe that the “gendered performance of the wheelchair rugby players can…be interpreted as a form of resistance to marginalized masculinity” (332) but also point out that it may reinforce “ableist norms of masculinity.” After viewing the film, which argument do you agree with?
a) Murderball celebrates a kind of resistance to marginalized masculinity
| After watching the film, I believe Murderball does celebrates a kind of resistance to marginalized masculinity. To start, the film illustrates how men in wheelchairs resist marginalized masculinity by showcasing their aggression, strength and independence. When playing wheelchair rugby, the men in the film are aggressive, a traditional masculine norm. They are physical with their opponents, we see them colliding with other athletes and even showing off their blood when they receive an injury. Their ability to play a high contact sport while being disabled goes against stereotypes associated with wheelchair users that they are delicate or helpless. Along with their physical aggression, the film depicts these men as masculine by showcasing the language they use with their teammates. The language is quite vulgar- including a ton of swearing and talking poorly about competitors. This is commonly shown in sports played by nondisabled people as well, specifically in hockey players who are known for their excessive ‘chirps’ towards their competitors. In the media, these back and forth comments between players are often highlighted. The way I see it, this is a way for athletes to assert their dominance- a common trait associated with traditional masculinity. The men in this movie are depicted in a similar context. They are shown swearing and using vulgar language toward their competitors, a sign that the film is attempting to make these athletes seem as masculine as other male athletes in able-bodied sports. Marginalized masculinity is a form of masculinity that is considered subordinate and involves an inability to derive the typical benefits of hegemonic masculinity. The film challenges this further by interviewing the men about their personal romantic lives. In the media and through my experience, I see a large part of men’s masculinity relying on their ability to attract women. This films portray this specific example of masculinity by discussing the men’s sex lives and showcasing how they are all still extremely fulfilled and having fun. While explaining their experiences, the men remain confident and are not shy to discuss how women enjoy being intimate with them. In my opinion, this resists marginalized masculinity by demonstrating how men can still be sexually desired even if they are disabled. Overall, I believe this film does a great job of resisting marginalized masculinity by showcasing the traditional masculine scripts these wheelchair rugby players exhibit.
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Section Three: Taking a Shot
A) Resistance
B) Calling out Supercrip
Exercise 10: Mini Assignment (worth 5% in addition to the module grade)
1) Do you agree with the critique of the “supercrip” narrative in this video? Why or why not? Find an example of the “supercrip” Paralympian in the 2024 Paris Paralympics or Special Olympics coverage and explain how it works.
| After just watching the “We’re The Superhumans” video, my thoughts were that it was a great way to shed light on disabled athletes. By showcasing these athletes as powerful and capable of anything, I thought it was a positive depiction of what it means to be a paralympic athlete. However, this is coming from the perspective of someone who has never been disabled and has no idea what it is like to live that life. Furthermore, as we learned earlier, I do hold some implicit bias that could influence my thoughts. After reading the critique of the ‘supercrip’ narrative, I can 100% see why it may not be an ideal way to depict disabled athletes. To start, Brian Bell explains that in his opinion it brings more attention to the fact these athletes are disabled rather than just appreciating that they are simply athletes. Rather than showcasing the incredible athleticism, the media brings focus to the fact these athletes are different which Brian feels creates a divide that perpetrates already existing problems. I agree with this, after reflecting on this critique, I feel that having an advertisement that focuses solely on the differences of these athletes adds to the already systemic barriers that exist in society regarding attitudes toward disabled people. People may watch this video and assume that becoming a paralympic athlete is the be all end all of people with a disability and that it is easy to become one. The reality is, becoming a paralympic athlete requires the same hard work and discipline that is needed for any other sports league. The supercrip narrative overlooks this process by focusing on the “superhero” ending. One example of this in the 2024 Paris Paralympics was the depiction of Alessandro Ossola in the media. Immediately, the title of this article showcases to me how it will be a supercrip narrative: “Paris 2024 Paralympics: From tragedy to fairytale! Alessandro Ossola comes full circle as he proposes to his soulmate Arianna Mandaradoni in the Stade de France”. This article describes Alessandro’s story of becoming a Paralympic athlete. The article displays a supercrip narrative by first setting the stage of what made Alessandro disable. The article even explains Alessandro as living a “normal” life before his accident. This statement suggests that Alessandro’s life after the accident is “abnormal” which is the critique made by Brian Bell. Next, the supercrip narrative is seen by making Alessandro seem like a hero, explaining that “lesser men might have crumbled”. This statement contributes to the supercrip narrative by making Alessandro seem above other disabled people who maybe did not make it to the Paralympics. This creates a further divide between disabled athletes and reinforces the false narrative that all disabled people want to make it to the Paralympics. Overall, the supercrip narrative works by depicting Paralympic athletes as these people who experience something horrible but then prosper by becoming athletes. It is a false narrative that brings attention to people’s differences rather than bringing attention to their athleticism.
https://www.olympics.com/en/news/paris-paralympics-2024-from-tragedy-to-fairytale-alessandro-ossola-comes-full-circle-as-he-proposes-to-his-soulmate-arianna-mandaradoni-in-the-stade-de-france
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2) Does the film Murderball play into the supercrip narrative in your opinion? How does gender inform supercrip (read this blog for some ideas)?
(300 words for each response)
| In my opinion, Murderball does not largely play into the supercrip narrative. While watching Murderball, I felt the athletes were depicted as normal humans who were simply sharing their experiences and love for their sport. In the blog, the author explains how he often feels disabled people are only given attention when they do something incredible, or imitate the acts of nondisabled people. In the film, I did not feel like the athletes were doing anything outstanding to receive the attention they did for the movie. Rather, the focus was on them explaining what it’s like to be a disabled man in our society. Now, in the blog the author explains how sometimes being inspiring is the only way for disabled people to receive attention. The author even mentions the film Murderball as an example of this. Displaying these athletes as ultra macho-strong men who are cisgender, good looking and independent is a way for the media to make atypical bodies seem more “normal”. This is problematic because it is not an accurate depiction of ALL disabled people. The men in this film, in a sense, impersonate nondisabled people- the blog describes. However, while problematic, I do not think this aligns with the supercrip narrative, which displays disabled people as extremely different than nondisabled people. Gender does inform supercrip by reinforcing traditional gender scripts in disabled people. For example, by reinforcing the fact that the men in Murderball are strong, independent and dominant this can be seen as supercrip by showcasing that disabled people can be all of those things DESPITE their ability. Gender informing supercrip reinforces the attitudes that disabled men can only be valued if they depict traditional gender stereotypes and traits. In this context, I can see how Murderball reinforces the supercrip narrative. The men in the film are totally shown displaying traditional masculine traits, which enforces the idea that disabled men only gain attention from the media when they demonstrate the traits of nondisabled men.
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