Examining The Discrimination of the Disabled Through An Analysis of David J. Birnbaum’s article “The Catbird Seat” In David Birnbaum’s “The Catbird Seat”, the author gives his readers his perspective of a handicapped person’s experiences (228). Birnbaum lost the use of this legs during a car accident and is now only able to move through the use of a wheelchair (Kirszner, Mandell 228). Although Birnbaum’s disability is physical, “Disabilities can manifest as a physical or cognitive issue, coming from a range of factors – genetics, accident, external circumstances, or advancing age”(Bowman 6); therefore, most people who have a disability are not born with it and in some situations a disability can be eliminated with medical treatment and surgeries …show more content…
One of the major crimes that Birnbaum got away with was smuggling Cuban cigars into the United States; the airport workers did not check Birnbaum as thoroughly as other flyers because he was in a wheelchair (229). However, as Birnbaum continued to commit crimes and take advantage of his disability, he encountered a woman who basically told Birnbaum that he was out of line when he cut off an elderly man from entering an elevator (230). This experience of Birnbaum’s informed him of the pecking order (230). According to Birnbaum, this is the pecking order: “Blind trumps wheelchair; wheelchair trumps pregnant; pregnant trumps old; old trumps whatever is left.” (230); in my opinion, Birnbaum’s description of societies pecking order is accurate. Birnbaum’s explanation of his behavior illustrates that the government has not provided enough respect of the disabled (228-230). Our society has become so lost in the idea of being “politically correct” that they have forgotten laws must be held to all people or the rest of the country could be in grave danger. Even if a person is disabled, they are still a person as we are, so they should not only …show more content…
The Disability Act promoted these behaviors by making it the law that the disabled be treated fairly. Therefore, people are not treating the disabled equally; people are treating the disabled differently because they feel it is politically correct. In Birnbaum’s case, a lot of people overlooked him when they considered someone committing a crime because there are always chances that the accuser could be prosecuted against for discrimination (228-230). In Toby Sieber’s “Disability Theory”, the author makes this statement, “The right to have rights, according to Hannah Arendt’s valuable formulation, bases human rights on the right to belong to a political community in which individuals are judged by their actions and opinion” (176); Sieber’s statement illustrates how every person’s actions should be judged equally and this is the definition of having rights. Problems occur when people emotionally react to situations rather than logically. As discussed before, Birnbaum’s smuggling of Cuban cigars into the U.S. was a result of airport official’s negligence to his capabilities (229). Though, not only was the airport officials negligent, Birnbaum was deceitful because he knew his action was against the law, but he still committed the crime (Birnbaum
The two essays “On Being a Cripple” by Nancy Mairs and “A Plague of Tics” by David Sedaris are excellent pieces of work that share many similarities. This paper would reflect on these similarities particularly in terms of the author, message and the targeted audience. On an everyday basis, people view those with disabilities in a different light and make them conscious at every step. This may be done without a conscious realisation but then it is probably human nature to observe and notice things that deviate from the normal in a society. In a way people are conditioned to look negatively at those individuals who are different in the conventional
If James Thurber wanted to create a character that bled the epitome of deception, it would undoubtedly be the protagonist of his short story, “The Catbird Seat”, Erwin Martin. Set in the 1940’s, with political instability from the Second World War and recovering from the detrimental Great Depression, Mr. Martin’s ostensible meekness and dullness builds his reputation amongst his colleagues and superiors as the ideal employee, lacking imperfections, and perhaps relates to the mentality those possessed at that time period. It is through Mr. Martin’s solidified image of rectitude that he is able to exploit these circumstances and surreptitiously plan his ploy against his nemesis, Mrs. Barrows, with his perfectly established mental simulacrum amongst
Peterson uses the Bureau of Justice Statistics, US Department of Labor, and the US Bureau of labor statistics. These sources are from the government, and therefore are constantly updated and verified by professionals. The other sources that Peterson mentions, such as the Gallup poll that she mentions on page three are all relatively recent to her essay. The poll is from 2011, which is only two years before Peterson wrote this essay. The “Works Cited” page includes all the sources cited and can easily be double-checked and verified by the audience. All of these sources are up-to-date, and can be easily verified. The Gallup poll that she mentions on page 3 is also something which was taken in 2011 which is fairly recent. Peterson’s evidence is slightly slanted, since the usage her use of a personal story as the main basis of her essay can make her biased towards the topic. She might have gone through unique experiences as a disabled person, and other people facing disabilities might have gone through much more contrasting experiences. Because of this fact her view on the situation as well as her thoughts on misrepresentation can vary vastly because of how vast people’s disabilities are and how each person views that and reacts to their environment. On a personal level, the author feels as if she is unequal in her society and cites evidences from social media and movies to prove her point. However, most of her evidences were based on how someone might interpret each of these evidences Some people might feel that they are supported in their communities and on the internet, and might feel that the inclusion of disabled characters, no matter what role they play, is a form of inclusion. However, Peterson does not seem to feel this way, and as a result, views these platforms differently and brings evinces to support her viewpoint. Although
Baynton, Douglas. "Disability and Justification of Inequality in American History." The New Disability History. New York: New York University Press, 2001. 285-294. Print.
Disability is a ‘complex issue’ (Alperstein, M., Atkins, S., Bately, K., Coetzee, D., Duncan, M., Ferguson, G., Geiger, M. Hewett, G., et al.., 2009: 239) which affects a large percentage of the world’s population. Due to it being complex, one can say that disability depends on one’s perspective (Alperstein et al., 2009: 239). In this essay, I will draw on Dylan Alcott’s disability and use his story to further explain the four models of disability being The Traditional Model, The Medical Model, The Social Model and The Integrated Model of Disability. Through this, I will reflect on my thoughts and feelings in response to Dylan’s story as well as to draw on this task and my new found knowledge of disability in aiding me to become
What comes into one’s mind when they are asked to consider physical disabilities? Pity and embarrassment, or hope and encouragement? Perhaps a mix between the two contrasting emotions? The average, able-bodied person must have a different perspective than a handicapped person, on the quality of life of a physically disabled person. Nancy Mairs, Andre Dubus, and Harriet McBryde Johnson are three authors who shared their experiences as physically handicapped adults. Although the three authors wrote different pieces, all three essays demonstrate the frustrations, struggles, contemplations, and triumphs from a disabled person’s point of view and are aimed at a reader with no physical disability.
How well do you know those around you? James Thurber’s short story “The Catbird Seat” will make you question even the most meek and mild surrounding you. In this story, Erwin Martin, a mild mannered accountant, plotted the assassination of his coworker Ulgine Barrows. Thurber teaches the reader that appearances can be deceiving as he explores the mind of Erwin Martin and his plot to “rub out” his coworker.
In her article “Unspeakable Conversations” author Harriet McBryde Johnson took time to inform and familiarize her readers with the details and limitations placed upon her by her disability. In her article she walked her readers through her morning routine. She told them about the assistance she needs in the morning from transferring from bed to wheelchair, to morning stretches, to bathing, to dressing, to braiding her hair. She does this not to evoke pity but to give her readers a glimpse into her world. She wants her readers to know that the quality of a disabled person’s life relies solely on another’s willingness to assist. Because those with disabilities need assistance they are often viewed as burdens. Therefore, they see themselves as
In the book, The Short Bus, Jonathan Mooney’s thesis is that there is more to people than their disabilities, it is not restricting nor is it shameful but infact it is beautiful in its own way. With a plan to travel the United States, Mooney decides to travel in a Short bus with intentions of collecting experiences from people who have overcome--or not overcome--being labeled disabled or abnormal. In this Mooney reinvents this concept that normal people suck; that a simple small message of “you’re not normal” could have a destructive and deteriorating effect. With an idea of what disabilities are, Mooney’s trip gives light to disabilities even he was not prepared to face, that he feared.
In this work Nancy Mairs, a woman with multiple sclerosis, discusses why she calls herself a cripple as opposed to the other names used by society to describe people with disabilities. She prefers the word “cripple” over the words “disabled” and “handicapped”. Nancy Mairs presents herself as a cripple using a straightforward tone, negative diction, repetition, and logical/ethical appeal.
Beisser, Arnold R.. Flying without Wings: Personal Reflections on Being Disabled. New York: Doubleday, 1989. Print.
http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/dcp171778_270487.pdf [Accessed 28/01/14]. Scotch, R (1989) From Good Will to Civil Rights: Transforming federal disability policy. Temple University Press: Philadelphia, PA. Shakespeare, T (2006) Disability: Rights and Wrongs.
Disability: Any person who has a mental or physical deterioration that initially limits one or more major everyday life activities. Millions of people all over the world, are faced with discrimination, the con of being unprotected by the law, and are not able to participate in the human rights everyone is meant to have. For hundreds of years, humans with disabilities are constantly referred to as different, retarded, or weird. They have been stripped of their basic human rights; born free and are equal in dignity and rights, have the right to life, shall not be a victim of torture or cruelty, right to own property, free in opinion and expression, freedom of taking part in government, right in general education, and right of employment opportunities. Once the 20th century
Being disabled is just a single facet of their life, and they have the same capacity to be happy as anyone else. While these three authors have different reasons to write their essays, be it media unfairness, ignorance, or ethical disputes, they all share a basic principle: The disabled are not viewed by the public as “normal people,” and they are unfairly cast away from the public eye. The disabled have the same capacity to love, desire and hurt as any other human being, and deserve all of the rights and privileges that we can offer them. They should be able to enter the same buildings, have representation in the media, and certainly be allowed the right to live.
...eglected social issues in recent history (Barlow). People with disabilities often face societal barriers and disability evokes negative perceptions and discrimination in society. As a result of the stigma associated with disability, persons with disabilities are generally excluded from education, employment, and community life which deprives them of opportunities essential to their social development, health and well-being (Stefan). It is such barriers and discrimination that actually set people apart from society, in many cases making them a burden to the community. The ideas and concepts of equality and full participation for persons with disabilities have been developed very far on paper, but not in reality (Wallace). The government can make numerous laws against discrimination, but this does not change the way that people with disabilities are judged in society.