July is Disability Pride Month, one of the most visible celebrations of disability awareness, acceptance, culture, and equity. Across the country, people with disabilities will gather to celebrate untold history, our achievements and our contributions to society. But this year, I find myself thinking about something else. I am thinking about unity.
For decades, people with disabilities have fought for the right to be seen, heard, educated, employed, included and respected. Those victories did not happen because one person or one organization acted alone. They happened because people organized. They built coalitions. They shared information. They showed up for one another.
Today, we find ourselves facing new challenges. Public conversations has silenced the mention and increasingly questioned the value of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. Even our trusted civil rights protections of many decades are now examined negatively in and out of the courts. Our legislation, policies, precedent and government opinions, that many believed were settled, are being revisited. Hard-fought gains, while the laws remain, are suddenly scrutinized and we are finding out they can never be taken for granted. That is why Disability Pride Month is not only a celebration. It is also a reminder. We need each other.
Too often, our movement(s) become divided by disagreements, organizational competition, personality conflicts, or past hurts. Perhaps an offense occurred years ago. Perhaps a partnership did not work out. Perhaps people simply grew apart.
Those experiences are real. They matter. But we must ask ourselves a difficult question. What is more important: the disagreement or the future? Because while we are standing apart, societal, legislative and attitudinal barriers continue to grow. While we remain in silos, decisions are being made that affect our lives. While we focus on our differences, others are questioning our rights, our independence, and our place in society.
History teaches us that progress is rarely achieved by isolated individuals. Progress is built by groups of people willing to work together despite their differences. The disability rights movement itself was founded on coalition-building. People with different disabilities, backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives came together because they understood a simple truth…none of us can achieve liberation alone.
Today, right here in Charlotte, organizations such as W.E.A.N. Charlotte, CripSpaceCLT, AccessCLT, Autistic Youth International, Kinectic Works and Self-Advocates of Mecklenburg join with regional coalitions like REVUP NC, DAN (Disability Action Network) and New Disabled South as they work to build what the future looks like. Grassroots advocates, self-advocates, caregivers, family members, and community leaders all have an important role to play.
New advocates are stepping forward through programs like ALP-NC. New voices are emerging. With this comes new opportunities for organizing and mobilization. This is not the time for separation. This is the time for collaboration. This is the time to share resources, build relationships, and strengthen networks. This is the time to mentor new advocates and welcome fresh perspectives. This is the time to remember that our community does not need charity. Our community needs enforcement of 36-50 year old laws. Our community requires equal access. Our community using our voices, our resilience and the knowledge we’ve gained as we continue to navigate a system not willing to acknowledge our humanity is at a great tipping point.
One of my favorite sayings is, “We’re Better Together.” Not because it sounds good, but because it is true. Every meaningful advancement in disability rights has required people to come together around a common purpose. That remains true today. Disability Pride Month gives us an opportunity to celebrate who we are. Let it also be a time to recommit ourselves to one another. Not because we agree on everything. Not because the past did not happen. But, because the future requires us.
The challenges ahead are too large for any one organization, any one leader, or any one advocate to face alone. If we want a future where people with disabilities are fully included, fully respected, and fully valued, we must build it together. No more silos. No more allowing old wounds to determine our future. No more unnecessary divisions, including the racism, homophobia and classism of the past. People with disabilities are past being just accepted. It is time for all of us to be expected. The next chapter of disability rights will be written by people willing to organize, collaborate, and act collectively. After all, the disability community has always been strongest when we remember one simple truth that I amended: Nothing About Us Without ALL of Us.
