Hi, Everyday God-Talk community! I hope you had a great summer.
Starting this month, I plan to share some reflections on ableism and how it intersects with racism, poverty, and white supremacy in our country. Also, how do we knowingly and unknowingly practice it in our worship space and everyday lives? I don't have all the answers, but I’d like to explore these topics with you.
This summer, I had the opportunity to celebrate Juneteenth with amazing scholars and theologians, and I encountered this theologian Lamar Hardwick who focuses on disability studies. As we begin this conversation on "toxic white ableism," I encourage you to check out the book How Ableism Fuels Racism and listen to the author's insights in this podcast: Podcast Link.
I welcome your thoughts on this topic. Lamar Hardwick’s book and podcast really opened my eyes to how ableism, white supremacy, and colonialism have oppressed Black and Brown bodies for centuries. This oppression also affects people of color, Indigenous peoples, and immigrants in our country.
Often, racism and white supremacy are deeply connected to the idea that everyone must fit the mold of "able" white bodies—both physically and institutionally. This mindset has roots in the colonial expansion of European empires. Ableism is toxic because it pressures people to conform to the standards of white bodies, which aren't even ideal for many white people themselves.
For example, while the Olympics inspires us each summer with athletes who display remarkable discipline, self-care, and achievement, it also presents an idealized and often unattainable standard of physical ability. This emphasis on perfection can make many of us feel excluded or inadequate, even though we are already perfect as we are, being created in the image of God. What underlies the Olympic bodies is, as depicted in the controversial opening ceremony, the ideal of Greek mythology portrayed in the Feast of the Gods– the gods and goddesses with perfect and often “white” bodies and aesthetics.
When it comes to "self-care" and "health care," we often follow the standards set by white institutions. But it's worth questioning whether these systems truly serve everyone, including those whose white-abled bodies are. Let’s think through this together.
*Remember to provide proper citation and acknowledgment to the everyday god-talkers—especially our pastors, the faithful theologians in the pulpit. If this post resonates with you and inspires you to share a similar message, consider recognizing those who bring transformative change to our lives. They are the ones guiding us on our spiritual journey.*
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