What do you believe? Okay, you belong in that bucket over there. With them.
Where do you live? Oh, you’re one of those. Education level? Oh dear, you go over there. You’re an addict? Okay, not too sure about that. Homeless? Well, uh, er, …
We all do it to one extent or another. As an example, take a look at this photo. What catches your eye?
Perhaps you noticed two of the best handcyclists in the world on a training ride in the mountains of Italy. They use different kinds of bikes because Matt has a spinal cord injury and Oz is an amputee.
Or maybe you saw two disabled guys.
Does it change your perception of the photo? “Best handcyclist in the world” or “disabled guy”?
What if I told you Oz is a veteran? Or showed you this photo of Matt Updike, Muffy Davis, and Oz Sanchez as Paralympic gold medal winners?
I’ll bet you like Oz a lot right now because I just attached some really favorable labels. “Disabled vet.” “Paralymic champion.” “Guy who climbs mountains on a handcycle.”
Labels.
If you encountered Matt, Muffy, and Oz on a street, without their uniforms and medals, what would you see?
Would you see three people or three disabled people? Would you be aware of your perception?
As long as we see differences, and as long as we’re unaware we’re doing it, we’re trapped in a culture ruled by labels.
This isn’t about wheelchairs. Skin color. Religious and ethnic differences. Lifestyle choices. Socioeconomic levels. The folks we see as different–aren’t. As long as we insist on accentuating our differences and ignoring our perceptions, we block substantial movement toward justice.
Justice–setting things right–can’t involve putting people in buckets.
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