Abstract
In ‘Twilight of knowing: The forgotten Australian debate’, Anna Haebich invokes a term used to explain a state of ‘knowing and not knowing’ among Germans about the treatment of Jews during the Second World War. The term, used by Gitta Sereny in her biography of Albert Speer (Minister of Armaments and War Production in Nazi Germany), is the ‘twilight of knowing and unknowing’.2
Haebich says:
researchers have argued that there is an easy slippage between a ‘mind-set’ that distances and dehumanises targeted groups and acceptance of their unequal treatment. This treatment becomes normalised, unremarkable and invisible to the wider society, even as it assumes harsher forms. Citizens tacitly support these processes without acknowledging what they are doing. This state of ‘knowing and not knowing’ is powerful and obstinate, persisting in the face of observable evidence and personal encounters.3
By requesting an account of the socio-cultural history of disability in Australia, the Royal
Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability (Royal Commission) aims to establish some of the antecedents to the presenting problem of historical and ongoing maltreatment of people with disability. In this way, it shines a light into a ‘twilight of knowing’ about many Australians with disability and their lives. This project fits with the requirements in the Royal Commission terms of reference to inquire into ‘any matter reasonably incidental to a matter referred to in paragraphs (a) to (c) or that
you believe is reasonably relevant to your inquiry’.4
By exploring some of the historical roots of maltreatment, as well as the history of refusal and resistance by people with disability and their allies with the resultant impact in social policy, the project aims to contribute to this quest:
what should be done to promote a more inclusive society that supports the independence of people with disability and their right to live free from violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation.5
The project builds understanding of the systemic issues6 contributing to the risk of maltreatment of certain people with disability. Understanding the historical roots of the mind-set that distances and dehumanises people with disability may help us, as Haebich says:
become informed, maintain debate, fight for justice, develop sensitivity and awareness and keep our hearts and minds open.7
Haebich says:
researchers have argued that there is an easy slippage between a ‘mind-set’ that distances and dehumanises targeted groups and acceptance of their unequal treatment. This treatment becomes normalised, unremarkable and invisible to the wider society, even as it assumes harsher forms. Citizens tacitly support these processes without acknowledging what they are doing. This state of ‘knowing and not knowing’ is powerful and obstinate, persisting in the face of observable evidence and personal encounters.3
By requesting an account of the socio-cultural history of disability in Australia, the Royal
Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability (Royal Commission) aims to establish some of the antecedents to the presenting problem of historical and ongoing maltreatment of people with disability. In this way, it shines a light into a ‘twilight of knowing’ about many Australians with disability and their lives. This project fits with the requirements in the Royal Commission terms of reference to inquire into ‘any matter reasonably incidental to a matter referred to in paragraphs (a) to (c) or that
you believe is reasonably relevant to your inquiry’.4
By exploring some of the historical roots of maltreatment, as well as the history of refusal and resistance by people with disability and their allies with the resultant impact in social policy, the project aims to contribute to this quest:
what should be done to promote a more inclusive society that supports the independence of people with disability and their right to live free from violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation.5
The project builds understanding of the systemic issues6 contributing to the risk of maltreatment of certain people with disability. Understanding the historical roots of the mind-set that distances and dehumanises people with disability may help us, as Haebich says:
become informed, maintain debate, fight for justice, develop sensitivity and awareness and keep our hearts and minds open.7
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability |
| Number of pages | 153 |
| Publication status | Published - 2 Nov 2021 |
Keywords
- Disability
- Royal Commission
- Australia
