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 Women, Sport, Society by Maria Berghs
Cover of the book The English Execution Narrative, 1200–1700 by Maria Berghs
Cover of the book Practical Pedagogy by Maria Berghs
Cover of the book The Long Hedge by Maria Berghs
Cover of the book Encyclopedia of Nineteenth Century Thought by Maria Berghs
Cover of the book Building Businesses in Emerging and Developing Countries by Maria Berghs
Cover of the book Marketing in Developing Countries by Maria Berghs
Cover of the book Romanticism and Philosophy by Maria Berghs
Cover of the book The Psychology of Graphic Images by Maria Berghs
Cover of the book The Making of Modern Irish History by Maria Berghs
Cover of the book The Recorder by Maria Berghs
Cover of the book Beazley's Design and Detail of the Space between Buildings by Maria Berghs
Cover of the book Handbook on Educational Specialist Evaluation by Maria Berghs
Cover of the book Development Poverty and Politics by Maria Berghs
Cover of the book Disability and Equality Law 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