Disability, the Environment, and Colonialism

This seminar examines the imbrications of disability and the environment in the formation of colonial ideology and in the process of colonization. It traces the emergence of eco-ableist discourses through a careful analysis of such issues as gender, race, imperialism, the environment, and climate, and it probes the ways in which various cultural artifacts from that era effectively construct the definitions of disability and the environment. The seminar shows that in colonial times, colonizers’ perceptions of disability were largely defined by earlier environmental discourses, which treated the environment in much the same way as people with disabilities. Additionally, it demonstrates—drawing on various contemporary literary and media examples—how the perverse nature of colonialism continues to dominate the globe today. It thus designates colonialism as a perpetual instrument through which to construct knowledge about disability and the environment, outlining the ceaseless, tight, and intricate linkages between disability, the environment, and colonialism. The seminar also pays close attention to the body and its representation in literature and the ways in which physical disability can be understood through imperialism and ecology. Focusing on a broader period, the seminar conceptualizes colonialism as a set of practices, policies, and sociocultural measures aimed at subjugating certain peoples and environments for the prosperity and well-being of others. Thinking of colonial times in this way helps connect colonialism to postcolonialism and illuminates the ongoing impact of colonial oppression.