By Danika Koo - South Korea
In our modern, hyper-connected society, individuals and communities have an extraordinary ability to bridge divides and create connections effortlessly. Our society is constantly overflowing with reports of situations requiring aid, and requests for assistance are disseminated widely. Within this complex network, individuals continually transition between the roles of "helpers" and "those being helped." In this context, it is necessary to redefine our understanding of perceptions and boundaries between these roles to truly comprehend the nature of "authentic assistance."
The long-held belief that "helping others" directly contributes to the betterment of the "community" requires re-evaluation in this interlinked community we live in today. The traditional approach to aid, which typically focuses on structured, macro-level support, has been the dominant standard for a substantial period. Within our society, we often encounter categorizations of groups such as "orphans," "individuals with disabilities," "elderly citizens," "migrants," and those seeking refuge from the broader world, like "refugees" or "victims of conflict." These societal classifications with shared needs undermine the urgency of providing help, fostering the formulation of policies designed to efficiently aid as many 'groups' as possible.
However, this approach often overlooks the nuanced and unique circumstances of each person in need. Every individual is molded by a blend of distinctive internal and external factors, resulting in a spectrum of desires and aspirations. It is virtually impossible to cater to the specific needs of every individual within a community. As a result, societies often resort to treating community members as if they have uniform needs. While this approach streamlines administrative processes and adheres to principles of equity, it often neglects the variety of individual needs, including unconventional needs that deviate from the norm.
This critique sheds light on the groundbreaking debate on the 'role of non-disabled individuals within disability studies,' often referred to as the "Agency Debate," which took place in 1997. In the context of disability studies and the disability rights movement, "agency" refers to the ability of disabled individuals to make choices, express their preferences, advocate for their rights, and act independently to pursue their well-being. It diminishes the notion that individuals with disabilities should control their own lives and contribute to decisions that impact them.
Robert F. Drake, a non-disabled individual, initiated this discourse through his essay titled "What Am I Doing Here? 'Non-disabled' people and the Disability Movement," published in Volume 12, Issue 4 of the journal in 1997. Drake's essay mainly revolves around the role of non-disabled individuals within the field of disability studies. He fervently argues for recognizing the "centrality of disabled individuals," emphasising a thoughtful and respectful approach to collaboration and support between disabled and non-disabled individuals in the disability rights movement.
Meanwhile, Fran Branfield offered a robust counterargument in an essay titled "What Are You Doing Here? 'Non-disabled' people and the Disability Movement." Branfield challenged Drake’s idea of non-disabled individuals playing a significant role in the movement, raising questions about complexities and power dynamics between disabled and non-disabled individuals within the context of the disability rights movement. Branfield emphasized the central role of disabled individuals within disability studies and the disability rights movement, asserting:
Non-disabled individuals should avoid speaking on behalf of disabled individuals, as such representation is considered inappropriate.
Non-disabled individuals should refrain from seeking positions of power within the movement.
This debate emphasizes the complexities of addressing the diverse needs of disabled individuals and the oversimplification of disability issues. It highlights the importance of accommodating individual differences and desires, thus advocating for a more individualized approach to assistance.
This approach challenges whether the current methods of providing aid genuinely benefit the community as a whole. Within our interdependent society, the traditional separation between "helpers" and "those being helped" must be re-examined. The hyper-connectivity of the modern world often tends to blur these roles, stressing us to deepen our understanding of altruism and community well-being.
In an era where people are continually exposed to "requests for aid," It is essential to modify our understanding. Instead of categorizing individuals strictly as 'helpers' or 'those being helped,' we should recognize that everyone has the potential to fulfill either role at different times.
We must remain vigilant to avoid the paradox of appearing to help without genuinely understanding or addressing the needs of 'the helped.' It underlines the importance of fostering an environment where assistance is not only a transaction but also an effort based on mutual understanding, empathy, and shared experiences. By adopting this nuanced perspective and maintaining vigilance, we can develop more effective and inclusive strategies for aid, promoting a more interconnected and resilient community.
Bibliography:
“Exploring the Paradox of Altruism.” Www.tomorrow.bio, www.tomorrow.bio/post/exploring-the-paradox-of-altruism-2023-09-5146824261-philosophy#:~:text=While%20you%20may%20be%20helping. Accessed 18 Nov. 2023.
Cortes Barragan, Rodolfo, and Carol S. Dweck. “Rethinking Natural Altruism: Simple Reciprocal Interactions Trigger Children’s Benevolence: Fig. 1.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, vol. 111, no. 48, 17 Nov. 2014, pp. 17071–17074, www.pnas.org/content/111/48/17071.full, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1419408111. Accessed 10 Jan. 2020.
BRANFIELD, FRAN. “What Are You Doing Here? “Non-Disabled” People and the Disability Movement: A Response to Robert F. Drake.” Disability & Society, vol. 13, no. 1, Feb. 1998, pp. 143–144, https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599826966. Accessed 10 Feb. 2020.
DRAKE, ROBERT F. “What Am I Doing Here? “Non-Disabled” People and the Disability Movement.” Disability & Society, vol. 12, no. 4, Sept. 1997, pp. 643–645, https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599727173. Accessed 27 Apr. 2020.
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