How Is The View From Down Here? 👩🦼
In Conversation With Journalist Lucy Webster On her Debut Memoir
Recently I was reminded of how important written testimony can be; I received a gift from a contact of mine, with a note attached. The note quoted a German historian on the value of books - why they matter, and why we should not look away.
Publishing has ignored disability for too long, and when it has delved in, it has been without nuance. We do this in media terms far too often - such as conflating disability with the experiences of people outside the space, allowing for co-option, and stereotypes. Memoirs have typically been written about the experiences of third parties - people who care for a disabled person, or experiences of parents or guardians. Rarely is *the* disabled experience written about or covered from the direct perspective of a disabled individual.
The View From Down Here is a memoir on disabled womanhood from journalist Lucy Webster, who writes a Substack newsletter of the same name. Due for release on September 7th this year, the memoir is set to cover disability, allyship, ableism and so much more.
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Now. I don’t know about you, but I am always excited for a new book to come out; this year my aim is to read 40 books, with an emphasis on disability. We always need more disability representation (!) So. I sat down with Lucy Webster, and asked her a fair few questions about the upcoming book - what to expect, why disability justice needs feminism, and so much more.
Talk to me about the memoir; what was the impetus for the book, and how did you begin writing? What was the spark of the idea to examine the 2 sets of rules of ableism and sexism, and the clash between these two standards?
The memoir looks at what it's like to live at the intersection of ableism and sexism. It looks at how these forces have shaped me, how I experience the world and my relationships to the people around me. It's very personal but my hope is that it changes how people think about disability and, crucially, reminds activists to include the particular experiences of disabled women in their work.
I got started writing it because of a few things. I have some really close friends who are disabled men and I was really struck by the difference in how we experience ableism. Then there were a few catalysts, the most important of which was being turned down from a dating agency for being too disabled. It made me realise simultaneously that sexist ableism wasn't just going to go away if I became successful, and that a lot of people were completely unaware of just how endemic those forces are. I guess really I was just furious and wanted to do something about it.
I'm always curious about others who work in our industry; what led you to become a journalist? Was there any specific inspiration or moment?
I always loved writing but had absolutely no talent for fiction! So journalism seemed the obvious way to go. I started a blog as a teenager and absolutely loved researching and writing it. From there I got work experience placements and then the big break was winning a Guardian award as a uni student. I always wanted to be a journalist but spent a lot of time trying to be a news reporter which just wasn't that accessible to me. Now I write features and opinion which is much better suited to my needs. I don't really know what the main inspiration was - it's more that I can't imagine doing anything else!
What was it like to go from the Substack form to writing a book? How did you find the form change?
It's hard! I found structuring the book - deciding what to mention where - was the most difficult bit of writing it, because it's such a different process than just writing a few hundred words. But it was really nice to have the space to properly explore ideas. And having the substack helped because it gave me somewhere to reflect on how the book was going. I think doing both really works.
Would you consider yourself to be a feminist? Do disability justice and feminism need to go hand in hand?
Absolutely! I can't remember a time when I didn't consider myself a feminist. It's such a key part of how I experience and interact with the world. Unfortunately I think almost all feminism - even the feminism that calls itself intersectional - ignores ableism and the needs of disabled women. But it doesn't have to! If feminists could hold space for the idea that the differing discrimination faced by disabled and nondisabled women come from the same harmful assumptions, it could work for all of us. This is one of the key arguments in my book. We should all be on the same side!
You also write a lot on ableism, as well as the meaning of allyship. How would you define both of these concepts?
Ableism is so multifaceted and widespread that it can be hard to define, but if I had to I'd define it as the belief that disabled bodies and minds, and the people who have them, are inferior, and the social, political, cultural, medical and financial discrimination that comes from that belief.
Allyship is the work nondisabled people can do to challenge ableism, always taking their cues from disabled people but not simply leaving it up to us. It is active and uncomfortable.
How can the non-disabled be allies to disabled women, who are subject to sexism and ableism simultaneously? And how can feminists also be allies?
Firstly, accept that we are women! That even though our experiences may be very different to those of nondisabled women, that doesn't somehow mean they are not women's experiences. Secondly, listen to us and amplify our voices. Read and share disabled women's work (including my book...!). Make sure our experiences are included in feminist debates and campaigns. Thirdly, take action. Challenge inaccessibility, call out ableism, take on systems of exclusion in your workplace and social circle.
Lastly, what would be your advice for aspiring writers?
Read, read, read. Read some more. Then write. Then get feedback. And repeat.
The View From Down Here is out on September 7th, and is now available for pre-order from DK Books. You can also subscribe to Webster’s newsletter of the same name by clicking here.