The Need to Normalize
Why do human beings have a need to normalize everything? Does it just simplify things if there’s one norm? Who decides that? What is supposed to happen to those that are not considered normal? The first thing that I learned when I was getting my psychology degree is that “normal” doesn’t exist. So, what are we talking about? Is this why accessibility isn’t a priority? Are human beings in denial about how necessary it is? That makes sense unfortunately. It’s wild how much a person can ignore if it’s unpleasant. Never before have I really understood the phrase that “Ignorance is bliss.” I’ve lived in or outside of Philadelphia since 2007 and let me tell you that the city that I was so familiar with changed overnight. I’m not even being dramatic. Once upon a time, I could travel my city freely but not anymore. There was this one time when there was an entrance to a sidewalk but not an exit. I’m trying to be as independent as I can be but it’s impossible when I can’t do something basi...