LANGUAGE IN INDIA

Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow

Volume 23:9 September 2023
ISSN 1930-2940

Editors:
         Sam Mohanlal, Ph.D.
         B. Mallikarjun, Ph.D.
         A. R. Fatihi, Ph.D.
         G. Baskaran, Ph.D.
         T. Deivasigamani, Ph.D.
         Pammi Pavan Kumar, Ph.D.
         Soibam Rebika Devi, M.Sc., Ph.D.

Managing Editor & Publisher: M. S. Thirumalai, Ph.D.

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Affirming Differences: A Critical Analysis of Sonia Sotomayor’s
Just Ask: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You

Snigdha. S., M.A. and Dr. Gomathi. S., M.A., M.Phil., Ph.D.


Courtesy: www.amazon.com

Abstract

Disability Studies is a multi-disciplinary area of academic study that examines the representation of differently abled individuals in literary narratives. Picture books hold significant sway in children’s literary narratives by combining visual elements with textual content. The paper offers an analysis of the picture book, Just Ask: Be Different. Be Brave. Be You authored by US Supreme Court Justice, Sonia Sotomayor from the standpoint of the critical theory, Disability Studies. It delves into the Affirmation model of disability, which perceives physical and mental impairments as mere differences and advocates for treating differently abled individuals as part of the norm.

Keywords: Just Ask: Be Different. Be Brave. Be You, Sonia Sotomayor, Disability, The Affirmation model, Difference, Normalcy, Acceptance.

Disability studies has undergone various changes in its definition and treatment of disability with each new model that was developed to address various facets of disability. The Affirmation model of disability introduced by John Swain and Sally French in their theoretical essay, “Towards an Affirmation Model of Disability”, stands out as a non-tragic perspective on disability and impairment. It champions positive social identities, both individual and collective, for disabled individuals, grounded in the unique life experiences associated with impairment and disability. In this model, Swain and French describe “impairment” (“Affirmation Model of Disability”) as a physical, sensory, and intellectual difference to be acknowledged and respected on its own terms in a diverse society. Unlike previous models of disability, The Affirmation model places emphasis on the positive aspects of disability and even encourages differently abled individuals to take pride in their own physical or mental impairment.

The oldest model of disability, The Moral or Religious model, views disability as an act of God and often associates it with the sins of individuals or their ancestors in their former births. This viewpoint has potentially destructive consequences since it could cause the impaired person’s entire family to be excluded from social interactions. With advancements in the medical sector during the 1800s, The Moral Model was supplanted by The Medical Model. The Medical model treats disability as a disease and portrays it negatively, characterising it as a tragic and pitiable condition. This model also positions the disabled individuals as inferior to their normal able-bodied counterparts.

This is only the beginning part of the article. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE IN PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION.

Snigdha. S., M.A.
Research Scholar
Department of English, PSGR Krishnammal College for Women
Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India
Snigdha.sunith@gmail.com

Dr. Gomathi. S., M.A., M.Phil., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of English
PSGR Krishnammal College for Women
Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India
gomathis@psgrkcw.ac.in
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