War and Embodied Memory

Becoming Disabled in Sierra Leone

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Sociology
Cover of the book War and Embodied Memory by Maria Berghs, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Maria Berghs ISBN: 9781317000549
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: February 17, 2016
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Maria Berghs
ISBN: 9781317000549
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: February 17, 2016
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

How do you become an 'amputee', 'war-wounded', 'victim' or 'disabled' person? This book describes how an amputee and war-wounded community was created after a decade long conflict (1991-2002) in Sierra Leone. Beginning with a general socio-cultural and historical analysis of what is understood by impairment and disability, it also explains how disability was politically created both during the conflict and post-conflict, as violence became part of the everyday. Despite participating in the neoliberal rebuilding of the nation state, ex-combatants and the security of the nation were the government’s main priorities, not amputee and war-wounded people. In order to survive, people had to form partnerships with NGOs and participate in new discourses and practices around disability and rights, thus accessing identities of 'disabled' or 'persons with disabilities'. NGOs, charities and religious organisations that understood impairment and disability were most successful at aiding this community of people. However, since discourse and practice on disability were mainly bureaucratic, top-down, and not democratic about mainstreaming disability, neoliberal organisations and INGOs have caused a new colonisation of consciousness, and amputee and war-wounded people have had to become skilled in negotiating these new forms of subjectivities to survive.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

How do you become an 'amputee', 'war-wounded', 'victim' or 'disabled' person? This book describes how an amputee and war-wounded community was created after a decade long conflict (1991-2002) in Sierra Leone. Beginning with a general socio-cultural and historical analysis of what is understood by impairment and disability, it also explains how disability was politically created both during the conflict and post-conflict, as violence became part of the everyday. Despite participating in the neoliberal rebuilding of the nation state, ex-combatants and the security of the nation were the government’s main priorities, not amputee and war-wounded people. In order to survive, people had to form partnerships with NGOs and participate in new discourses and practices around disability and rights, thus accessing identities of 'disabled' or 'persons with disabilities'. NGOs, charities and religious organisations that understood impairment and disability were most successful at aiding this community of people. However, since discourse and practice on disability were mainly bureaucratic, top-down, and not democratic about mainstreaming disability, neoliberal organisations and INGOs have caused a new colonisation of consciousness, and amputee and war-wounded people have had to become skilled in negotiating these new forms of subjectivities to survive.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Structure of Slavery in Indian Ocean Africa and Asia by Maria Berghs
Cover of the book Citizenship, Civil Society and Development by Maria Berghs
Cover of the book Media, Mobilization and the Umbrella Movement by Maria Berghs
Cover of the book Contemporary Perspectives on Natural Law by Maria Berghs
Cover of the book Modern Research Methods for the Study of Behavior in Organizations by Maria Berghs
Cover of the book Falling in Love by Maria Berghs
Cover of the book Climate Change and Gender in Rich Countries by Maria Berghs
Cover of the book Teaching the Arts to Engage English Language Learners by Maria Berghs
Cover of the book The Social Science Imperialists by Maria Berghs
Cover of the book Spatial Justice by Maria Berghs
Cover of the book Problems in Psychopathology by Maria Berghs
Cover of the book Critical Perspectives on Teaching in Prison by Maria Berghs
Cover of the book The Last of an Age by Maria Berghs
Cover of the book The Politics of GM Food by Maria Berghs
Cover of the book Sustainability in European Environmental Policy by Maria Berghs
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy