S2 E1: Masaru Tanabe on attitudes towards disabled people in Japan vs. the U.S., anti-Asian hate in liberal states like Oregon, and the model minority...

GUEST

Masaru Tanabe is a 34 year old disabled trans non-binary Japanese American fiber artist. Contracting the H1N1 (Swine flu) virus in 2009 left them with ME/CFS, a post-viral syndrome which, combined with their genetic disability of Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos, has left them so disabled that they are now unable to work. They now spend their time making and selling fiber art online, and bringing awareness about Disability issues, anti-Asian Hate crimes, and Trans Rights issues.

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DEFINITIONS

Pansexual - someone who is attracted – either emotionally, physically or both – to all genders. This includes cisgender, transgender, agender and gender nonconforming individuals.

Ableism - discrimination against disabled people, in favor of able-bodied people.

TAKEAWAYS

1. If you are a victim of discrimination, you do not owe closure to your oppressor. You do not have to suppress your own feelings in order to make them feel better about what they did.

2. Disabled is not a dirty word. It’s just a fact. Talking about disability should not be a taboo. Not talking about disability keeps the disabled community invisible, and makes it harder for them to access the support they deserve.

3. The way we view disability in the west is only one of many possible ways to do so, and a better system is possible for all the stakeholders. In Japan, instead of viewing disabled people as a liability, they use technology to empower disabled people to work and to continue to be an integral part of their community.

4. Despite the Americans with Disabilities Act, the accessibility standards are not comprehensive enough to ensure access. Builders will often meet the minimum ADA requirements and neglect to add essential features such as curb cuts if they are not required to do so.

5. Anti-Asian hate crime has been on the rise since the pandemic, and many of us, myself included, do not feel safe in spaces where we are the only Asian or person of color.

6. Even if you live in a community that is deemed liberal or progressive, you cannot assume that there isn’t racism. Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles are not immune to racism. If you want to be true allies, ask your friends about their experiences, and ask them how you can be of help. Most of us will not tell you unless you ask, because we don’t always know how you’ll react.

7. Being an ally is a title that you earn through action, not by association.

CONTACT

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Hosts: Sherry-Lynn Lee (Lazou) & Ariadne Mila

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