What is an indication of social change for you? There are TONS of them all around us. Pick one. What is it?
For me? One of the many things I see is that more people from marginalized communities are willing to be noticed. To not blend in… as much. People are more willing to be transparent about themselves and use their own lives as a way to advocate. In small ways and big ways. More people are willing to take up space and be seen and heard. Many have taken up blogging and writing books. The internet for disabled individuals has had a huge impact on our ability to connect with other people who are like us. Technology allows us to express ourselves like never before. Sharing our stories is changing the temperature of the water. By connecting with other people we are forming social groups that are often leading to coordinated advocacy projects.
It’s so interesting to me that when you are on the outside of “typical” societal expectations, or you don’t measure up to the ideal measuring stick, just your existence alone is defiance and a daily protest. If you are trying to live your best life, then you are a change-maker. Attempts to fully participate in society is advocacy.
Being transparent and noticeable can be work. You never know how someone is going to respond to you and you need to be ready at a moment’s notice. That kind of constant vigilance can be tiring. You are also more under surveillance, as all eyes are on you. You are representing a community of people, whether you asked to take on that role or not. You are also more vulnerable to discrimination and you need to be ready for that.
On the plus side, it can be nothing short of pure freedom. To be a caged bird, released.
Masking and blending in with the wallpaper is work too. Feeling trapped is not fun emotional work either. That too can be tiring. It’s really just a question of what kind of work and on what scale do you want to be doing? The work of being noticed or the work of masking? For a lot of people, there is no option to hide. Sometimes not having a choice is simpler. You are forced to dive in. This is your reality and now it’s time to run with it. For those with maskable invisible disabilities, I think it’s very natural to sway from side to side and this decision-making is fluid even within a single 20-minute social interaction.
Whatever decision you make about your willingness to be noticed, and on what scale you decide to share yourself with the rest of us, I wish you all the best in living your best life, whatever that is. Happy New Year!