Ruby Warriors - blog 2

We'd had heavy rain - the sort that bounces off the pavement and drenches pedestrians. We caught the eye of the bar man and the ruby warriors (in their best Portuguese) ordered 2 beers and a Campari soda on ice.

The atmosphere was hot and the conversation moved to how to engage the trainees and focus their attention to using the social model more proactively.

The ideas for examples, proved fruitful and they began to reflect on the obsession of society wanting to simulate impairments. The explanation seemed obvious to Ruby... We had no choice and had to show the full deck of cards. We laid them out on the table and we prevaricated one of the partners then quietly but insistently said;

"Can't you see that blacking up is wrong to simulate race discrimination, so why is it we still think being blind folded or wearing boxing gloves is a good way to understand impairment and difference for disabled people?"

The barman interrupted last orders, for God's sake, it's only 8pm - they had no choice but to roll down to the infamous Planetas for a last night cap!

There was no answer but heads nodded nonchalantly as Ruby shaked her head disapproving and just kept repeating - Why? Why? As she slugged her Campari to numb the pain, she muttered under her breath in the northern London/ Polish twang;

"Disabled people need the barriers taking down, not people pretending to borrow an impairment for the day. How long before society sees the fundamental flaw in this nonsense!"

The morning was fast approaching and the Warriors were trying to crack the day plan for phase 2 of the train the trainers sessions... Rory's PA waited outside the foyer smoking a tab as Enrique pulled up in the van and Ruby and Roxy rolled out the automatic doors onto the lift plate.

The traffic was heavy but the sun shone brightly and they were on the way to the Villa Marianna!

The venue was stunning - full access ahead SESC - had fabulous access for the wheelies and a warm welcoming entrance! It was going to be an interesting day ahead. Ruby warriors decided this was a good day to share the work of disabled artists. The link for today was;

"A Christmas message from the Tourette's hero"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGJrNpWYtJs - (Preview)  

Zoe Partington and Barbara Lisicki would like to thank British Council Brasil, Shape Arts UK, Unlimited UK and everyone involved in the planning, preparation and participation. We hope that Sao Paulo's and Rio's cultural sector will engender change and drive forward equality for disabled artists and audiences.

Blog entry, penned by Zoe Partington, an Associate Artist of DASH.