“The Future is Disabled”: Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha

Summary

In this insightful conversation, Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha explores the intersection of disability, activism, and joy. She challenges ableist narratives by highlighting how disabled individuals, particularly in Black and Brown communities, reclaim pleasure and prioritize self-love. Through discussions on adaptive sex toys, body positivity, and the importance of community, she emphasizes the radical power of disabled pleasure activism. The conversation encourages a shift in perspective, viewing disability not as a limitation, but as a prism that reveals new ways of living, loving, and thriving in an ableist society.

Takeaways

• 😀 The concept of ableism reinforces the idea of a 'perfect' body, often centered on white, able-bodied, cisgendered, masculine ideals, which leads to shame for those who don't fit this mold.
• 😀 Disability justice challenges ableism by prioritizing joy, pleasure, and body positivity, particularly within disabled communities where people embrace their desires and life experiences.
• 😀 Disabled people, particularly within marginalized groups (Black, Brown, fat, queer), are reclaiming pleasure and joy as acts of resistance, advocating for their right to take up space and demand what they deserve.
• 😀 The book 'The Future Is Disabled' by Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha emphasizes the importance of disabled pleasure activism, rejecting the narrative of disabled people as tragic or sorrowful.
• 😀 Disability communities often embrace 'maximalism' and excess, with a focus on joy, beauty, and self-expression through fashion, makeup, adaptive sex toys, and more.
• 😀 Leah encourages a reframing of disability as a 'prism' rather than a 'prison'—a lens through which to understand one's life rather than a restrictive label.
• 😀 The idea of disabled pleasure activism is deeply rooted in a radical love, which supports both the individual and collective healing and empowerment of disabled people.
• 😀 Disabled people are masterful at finding ways to live fully and with pleasure, often doing things that able-bodied people might not even imagine, like adaptive sex practices and community-building.
• 😀 Disability justice advocates for a world where disabled people are seen and valued for their agency, with the power to live out loud and demand respect.
• 😀 The concept of 'love as life force,' as expressed by June Jordan, is central to disability justice work, symbolizing a transformative, healing power that supports disabled people in the fight for their rights and dignity.

Q & A

What is the main message of the discussion around ableism in the script?

The main message is that ableism enforces a singular, ideal body standard and stigmatizes bodies that deviate from it. This leads to shame and exclusion for disabled individuals, and the discussion emphasizes the importance of rejecting this narrow view and embracing all bodies.

How does the conversation define the role of disability justice movements in relation to pleasure and body autonomy?

Disability justice movements, especially those involving disabled Black and Brown femmes, emphasize reclaiming pleasure and body autonomy. They see this as a radical act of resistance and a key component of living a joyful, fulfilled life despite societal limitations and expectations.

What does the phrase 'cripping of pleasure' refer to in the script?

'Cripping of pleasure' refers to the way disabled individuals resist ableism by embracing pleasure in their lives, often through adaptive means or re-imagining how they engage with pleasure. It's about asserting the right to joy, including in sexuality and self-expression.

What is the significance of the concept of 'disability joy' in the context of this conversation?

Disability joy is seen as an act of resistance and survival. The script highlights how disabled people, despite facing societal challenges and stigma, find ways to prioritize joy and pleasure, which is crucial for maintaining resilience in their fight for justice.

How does the conversation challenge traditional notions of 'perfect' bodies?

The conversation challenges the idealization of 'perfect' bodies by showcasing the diversity of disabled bodies and how they often challenge conventional ideas about beauty and worth. The emphasis is on accepting all bodies, regardless of their conformity to societal standards.

What role does community play in the disability justice movement, as discussed in the script?

Community is central to the disability justice movement. Disabled individuals often form supportive networks that empower them to share experiences, advocate for rights, and sustain each other emotionally. The script emphasizes the collective power and solidarity within disabled communities.

What is the relationship between disability and the concept of 'life force' as discussed by June Jordan?

The concept of 'life force' as discussed by June Jordan is about the transformative and empowering power of love, which is seen as essential in disability justice. This love serves as a guiding force, helping disabled individuals find strength, belonging, and purpose even in challenging circumstances.

What does the author mean by 'disabled pleasure activism'?

Disabled pleasure activism is the practice of actively seeking out and prioritizing pleasure, especially in a world that often excludes or devalues disabled people. It includes reclaiming the right to sexual and personal joy, and using pleasure as an act of resistance against societal norms.

What is the significance of the quote from 'The Future Is Disabled' about joy and pleasure?

The quote emphasizes that joy and pleasure are vital for both individual well-being and collective resistance. It argues that pleasure is essential for sustaining disabled people in their fight for justice and creating a world where disabled people can live fully and authentically.

How does the conversation propose rethinking disability, and why is this important?

The conversation suggests rethinking disability not as a limiting or confining identity but as a prism—a lens through which to view and enrich the human experience. This shift is important because it helps to redefine disability from being a source of shame to an empowering, multifaceted aspect of life that contributes to diversity and strength in society.