paralympics

[lobelia321]

I've been watching the Paralympics on BBC 2 and I find them incredibly moving. I am so impressed by all those athletes with their varying disabilities, by their helpers, by the organisers, and most of all, I am impressed by the way that the Paralympics take place in exactly the same venue as the Olympics with the same medals, the same ceremonies, the same television coverage at prime time. In England, the same sports commentators preside; they commentate in the same excited way, have interviews in the same way -- it's one of those things where I find myself thinking 'well, some things have improved in the world' (and this is a rare thought to have these days). And t'sons get just as excited over them and find them interesting and intriguing.

So I was all the more disappointed, almost shocked, to hear that the USA, as the only Western nation in the world, is not broadcasting the Paralympics live, apparently. The medals table, too, speaks volumes: China in first place, the UK (amazingly) in second, Australia in third, and the States somewhere in piddling ninth or tenth with a meagre 7 or so gold medals (compared to 25 or something for Britain). This is a real indictment, for the world's richest nation and one of the most populous. What is the use of so-called political correctness where the word 'cripple' is taboo and everyone is 'locomotively challenged' (or whatever) if institutions aren't putting their money and support behind a nation's vulnerable minorities? I can understand why an African country might have very few competitors because wheelchairs and so forth cost money, but the United States??

I used to be such a fan of America. I wanted to go to uni there, and indeed got scholarships and lived there for a year. But now it's getting, unfortunately, more and more difficult to love America, as a foreigner not living there.

Comments

[travelingcarrot.livejournal.com]

Well, as a foreigner who IS living there, I have to tell you that I am no more impressed. I hate to be so negative, but ever since I have been here I have wondered "Where are the people with disabilities?" I just don't see them at the shopping malls, the cinema, restaurants, and at school they are all isolated in Special Ed classes. And as for politically correct language? The word 'retarded' is still quite standard here.
Much of the problem is due to the 'every man for himself' philosophy and the 'success' culture. Families just don't get the support they need if they have a child with disabilities. One of the saddest stories I ever heard was of a mother in California who had an autistic son. The state provided no help whatever, and she was dependant on charities to provide occasional respite care. When that became unavailable and she could get no help at all, she eventually left her son at the hospital where he had been cared for, telling the staff she would be back but simply had to take some time to recover her strength. She was prosecuted for child abandonment.

I'm so with you on the inclusion issue. The thing that gives me the biggest warm and fuzzies in the world is seeing people outside the 'mainstream' being treated with respect and equality, and it makes me so sad when they are not. And yes, children are naturally interested and open if that is what they see around them. Mine loved the Olympics and I wish they could watch the Paralympics too.

[lobelia321.livejournal.com]

I was actually quite surprised and touched by the wholly unproblematic way my children reacted to the Paralympics, just like any other sports event. Some of it they found a bit boring, other bits very exciting, and all of it seemed totally normal to them because that is, of course, how it is marketed by the BBC. I have to say the Greeks don't seem all that great either: the stands were a lot emptier than they had been in Sydney!

[wideopenstar.livejournal.com]

As an American, living in America, I have to say I'm not surprised at all. I can't offer any great sociological analysis, however, but I will offer a couple of comments (gross generalizations, of course, but I'll still argue their validity). First, the reach of "political correctness" is actually very limited (mostly the university-educated), and is far more form than substance. Generally, it's preferred that those with disabilities stay out of sight. As someone with a minor disability, I can attest to this personally. Second, what institutions? Charitable giving by major corporations is at an all-time low, and the trend in government is to provide services for business, not individuals. And that's when the government (be it federal, state, or local) has some money - the current administration's fiscal policies have led to insane cuts at all levels. I feel fairly comfortable saying that the U.S. is not that great of a place to be right now. In my circles of friends, the talk of immigration (depending on this year's elections) is epidemic.

[lobelia321.livejournal.com]

The thing about p.c.ness is interesting. And the problem (as I see it) with the States is that is has, on the one hand, abdicted responsibilties of a state (a hands-off economic free-market policy) but on the other hand has tightened the state-driven controls considerably (the post 9/11 immigration laws, for example).

we are wrong

[office-ennui.livejournal.com]

and you are right. there is no reason to be a fan of america in the way we opperate as a forgein power, though there are some really great things individual communities do but as a nation state we pretty much totally suck. though reading your post, we suck a lot more than i realized.

Re: we are wrong

[lobelia321.livejournal.com]

America, it seems to me, has a schizophrenic attitude to the state. As I said above, it's hands-off policies on the one hand (have a gun if you want to! be a free market! we won't interfere!), on the other hand, there is a kind of total state control that is unthinkable in the UK (the recent immigration laws in the wake of 9/11; the anti-terrorism laws).

[brightest-blue.livejournal.com]

I was so angry when I checked the TV listings and didn't see a single hour of Paralympics broadcast anywhere. There are some wonderful things about this country, but we also suck in many, many ways. But if you come here and stay with me, I'll protect you from all of the bad stuff. :-)

[lobelia321.livejournal.com]

When I was there last year, I was struck very forcibly by how you can live very, very well, possibly much better than anywhere in Europe, in pockets of America but at the price of isolating yourself from the rest of the society. I'm saying this in response to your promise to protect me from the bad stuff! I'm sure you will but my question is: what kind of a society is it where you can survive only by protecting yourself from 'bad stuff' to that degree?

[brightest-blue.livejournal.com]

Yes, the suburbs are the perfect place to isolate onesself from anyone from poverty and anyone who looks different. And by "bad stuff" I mean a whole range of things: crime, intolerance, ignorance, rampant consumerism, and all of the other things that seem to run unchecked in American society. It seems like too many people have forgotten what's important in life, and nothing matters more than money and hanging on to what's "Mine!" I'm not afraid of crime in and of itself, maybe mostly out of naivete and never having been a victim, but what hurts me the most are the all too common attitudes of intolerance of those with different viewpoints and lifestyle. I'm afraid this country is headed in a direction that more and more punishes the weak and less fortunate, and there is not much inclination to be more compassionate. It makes me wonder what kind of people we are. Maybe I'm just particularly feeling this way right now because of all of the issues the upcoming election stirs up. Um, I'm not sure I've answered your questions. I blame drugs. ;-)

[lobelia321.livejournal.com]

Feel free to blame drugs.

:-)

I can't believe we had mindmeld vis-a-vis Memphis Belle...!!

[brightest-blue.livejournal.com]

I know- this is getting downright scary!!