[Lace on Race Admin Staff]

By Kelsi Watters White Cane Day is a national observance celebrated in the United States every year on October 15 since 1964. On October 6, 1964, Cong
[See the full post at: Beyond the White in White Cane Day]

Discussion

[Kelsi Watters]

I am so grateful for the opportunity to reflect on the significance of White Cane Day in this space, especially what it looks like to recognize and celebrate disability rights in a way that also demonstrates awareness of Black and brown people with disabilities who experience marg”inalization on multiple levels, not only their disability but also the color of their skin. Here, at LoR, I am continually learning that if I want to develop a solid racial justice praxis and lessen and mitigate harm to Black and brown people. As a white person with a disability, I cannot talk about disability rights without outwardly acknowledging that having white privilege as a white disabled person means I have had access to resources that Black and brown people are denied because of the color of their skin.I am so grateful for the opportunity to reflect on the significance of White Cane Day in this space, especially what it looks like to recognize and celebrate disability rights in a way that also demonstrates awareness of Black and brown people with disabilities who experience marg”inalization on multiple levels, not only their disability but also the color of their skin. Here, at LoR, I am continually learning that if I want to develop a solid racial justice praxis and lessen and mitigate harm to Black and brown people. As a white person with a disability, I cannot talk about disability rights without outwardly acknowledging that having white privilege as a white disabled person means I have had access to resources that Black and brown people are denied because of the color of their skin.

[Kelsi Watters]

To specifically name a few privileges I experience as a white disabled person that a Black or brown person is less likely to experience: I am often offered a place at the front of the line. I am more likely to have more financial resources that allow me access to resources that others cannot afford due to economic disparities. I am not ever labeled as “angry” or “threatening” just for advocating for myself, even when I get impatient. Also, I am much less likely to be met with hostility or pushback for this post and these comments, simply because I am white.To specifically name a few privileges I experience as a white disabled person that a Black or brown person is less likely to experience: I am often offered a place at the front of the line. I am more likely to have more financial resources that allow me access to resources that others cannot afford due to economic disparities. I am not ever labeled as “angry” or “threatening” just for advocating for myself, even when I get impatient. Also, I am much less likely to be met with hostility or pushback for this post and these comments, simply because I am white.

[Rebecca McClinton]

I was thinking how white canes are white for visibility purposes, and how that relates to Kelsi’s point here about BIPOC visibility both in terms of their experiences with disability and in terms of giving recognition for the way so many liberation movements benefited much from the labors of the Civil rights movement. Personalizing, One thing I’m thinking on is my tendency to jump into helper mode without considering the full impact of that and the ways it all too easily can put me in a power over stance, and make the individual feel placated and disrespected.

[Author]

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