Teaser - Deaths by Welfare w/ China Mills and John Pring (11/04/24)
Nov 4, 2024
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China Mills, Head of Research at Healing Justice London, and John Pring, founder of Disability News Service, dive into the harrowing intersections of welfare and disability. They discuss the chilling concept of 'slow death' linked to UK welfare policies, spotlighting the advocacy work of the Deaths by Welfare Project. The conversation reveals the bureaucratic violence that disproportionately affects marginalized communities, emphasizing the urgent need for historical context and grassroots activism to challenge systemic injustices.
The Deaths by Welfare Project reveals the lethal consequences of UK welfare policies, particularly how austerity measures lead to increased mortality among disabled individuals.
Strong activism from disabled communities has been crucial in documenting welfare-related deaths and confronting systemic injustices through grassroots resistance efforts.
Deep dives
Understanding the Deaths by Welfare Project
The Deaths by Welfare Project tracks the harm caused by the welfare system in the UK, particularly highlighting how austerity measures have led to increased mortality among vulnerable populations. It documents the experiences of individuals affected by welfare reforms and uncovers the bureaucratic violence inflicted by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The project emerged from the voices of those most impacted, including disabled activists who have long highlighted the lethal consequences of welfare policies. By concentrating on these lived experiences, the project seeks to hold the state accountable while amplifying the resistance and resilience of those affected by austerity.
The Role of Bureaucratic Violence
Bureaucratic violence refers to the slow, insidious ways in which government policies harm individuals over time, often without immediate or visible consequences. The project illustrates this phenomenon by discussing the cumulative effects of welfare reforms, particularly since the austerity measures introduced in 2007. The timeline created by the project reflects the historical context of these policies, showing how the welfare system has transitioned from providing support to instead facilitating harm and neglect. This slow violence is not always recognized, making it crucial to document and analyze these changes to foster understanding and accountability.
Disabled People's Activism and Resistance
A significant aspect of the project is the emphasis on disabled people's activism, which has been pivotal in drawing attention to the fatal consequences of welfare reform. Organizations and campaigns led by disabled individuals have documented deaths, shared personal stories, and organized protests to confront systemic injustices. Examples include projects like Callum's List and the Black Triangle Campaign, which publicly memorialize those who have died due to welfare policies. This grassroots resistance continues to be vital in challenging governmental narratives and advocating for justice for those harmed by the welfare system.
Subscribe on Patreon and hear this week's full patron-exclusive episode here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/115294795
Beatrice speaks with China Mills and John Pring about how the structure of welfare benefits in the United Kingdom leads to the death of disabled people, the difficulties in documenting such administrative violence and the process of “slow death,” and their project Deaths by Welfare that attempts to expose it.
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Runtime 1:21:55
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