[nabs-l] Blindness and Identity

[autTeal Bloodwortho]

very well said elizabeth

        -Teal
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Elizabeth" <lizmohnke at hotmail.com>
To: <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, March 27, 2010 2:27 PM
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Blindness and Identity



Wow, it appears as though the discussion on identity has grown a bit since I 
last checked the list the other day. As a sociology major, I would have to 
say that one’s identity is made up not only how someone sees themselves, but 
also how others see them as well. How others see us is generally reflected 
in how we see ourselves as well as the world around us.

In terms of the blind community having its own culture, I would agree with 
this statement since the norms of the blind community are not always 
reflected in the dominate culture. My American Cultures professor defines 
culture as language and language as culture. Since the blind community 
appears to have its own language, in that I mean our own unique way of 
expressing ideas that are generally not expressed in the same way in 
mainstream society, then I would say that the blind community does in fact 
have its own culture. Since this culture appears to be in conflict with the 
dominate culture found in our society, one could also argue that the culture 
of the blind community could be considered as a counterculture as well.

As far as the discussion on being female and the ability to give birth, as a 
woman, I believe that the ability to give birth does play a role in how 
women shape their identity. While sex is defined as the characteristics of 
being male or female that are given to us at birth, gender is defined as the 
social definitions and expectations that are associated with being male or 
female. One of the social expectations of being female is the ability to 
give birth. While women have been given more choices in regards to the 
ability to make their own decisions about this matter, I believe that it 
still plays a role in how women see themselves in society as well as how the 
general population sees the role of women in society.

Respectfully,
Elizabeth
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