So, here's the thing.

idginator:

And, yes, this is brought to my attention, though not at all for the first time, by that one post earlier that I am actually considering going back and making a legit response to it.

I understand that there are many cases where tumblr SJers can be a bit out there, can be seen as taking it to extremes, especially if you’re not in their particular group and therefore don’t really understand where they’re coming from. Then there are some that are really just horrifying, though they just prove that there are horrifying and bewildering beings on both sides of situations, and though I may not agree with their extreme methods I do at least try to see what causes them to have such feelings.

This, however, is not what I want to discuss.

There is a certain aspect of social justice that is very near and dear to me, because it is something that I actually do live with every day. I don’t focus on it, though as those of you who pay attention have seen there are times where it hits me extremely hard, and that is ableism, and along with it the concept of able-bodied privilege. (See now how that previous post, which I just deleted because I don’t want to name names with all of this, got that in my mind, especially with the shit-tastic past couple of days I’ve had?)

Now, I do understand that nothing was meant by that other post, and that it was meant as a joke, but really therein lies the problem. I guess it is because you see SJers on tumblr as taking things to such extremes that you cannot grasp, that so many of you try to mock them with posts, but in doing so what you’re really mocking is the existence of whatever -ism that is in your post(s). You are mocking what others have gone through, are going through. You are taking their hardships and turning it into a joke for your own amusement.

I do not take pity on myself. I do not want to be treated as if I am special, because I don’t see myself as being such. All I ask for is what I need to survive, to be able to live a fulfilling life to the best of my abilities (and, yes, my disabilities, as well). All I want is to be, for people like me, to be treated with respect, with common decency that a lot of people take for granted.

Every time a see a post mocking what I’ve had to go through for over 24 years now, though? I’m not getting that. Every post like that tells me that the hardships in my life, caused simply by how I was born and how I am seen because of that, which have shaped me into the person I am today, that all of those are nothing more than ammo for someone higher up than me’s jokes.

As I said, I am not going to name names. If you have done this, then you know who you are. I don’t even want any apologies. All I want is for people to read this and realize that, while it may be meant in light-hearted fun, such things can and do hurt. I should not have to wonder when I’ll come across something like that on my own dash, nor should I have to tumblr savior such things when doing so would take me out of getting the chance to help someone to learn the problems with such things.

An important post from one of the kindest, best people I know.