Ableist mindset
Welcome to the world of Magical Maths! Illénie is a Royal Mathematicians who designs new magical devices. When the king notices her and drags her into deadly court politics, it becomes harder for her to hide her chronic pain in a world that looks down on disabilities. Come read about her struggle!
Introduction to the story | Illénie (upcoming) | Novel upcoming
Introduction to the story | Illénie (upcoming) | Novel upcoming
Table of Contents
Trigger warning: The first section of this article presents the ableist beliefs of the society in this world and so contain some offensives comments.
Ableist mindset
Origin
1. Magic is Might.
The most powerful individuals shall rule the country and offer their unique views to the rest of the population.
This did not used to be such a strongly held view. Having the most powerful ruler was not a choice based on ideology, but a necessity when nobody could prevent them from simply seizing power. The trapping of tradition and social and magical rituals were built around such a claiming so as to limit the damages it inevitably triggers each time.
Consequences: Anyone can issue a duelling challenge to the King to try to seize the Milaran throne. The Royal Council is also formed by picking the most powerful military officers and duellers.
2. Lack of magic is a sign of weakness
Magic shall increase health and longevity; the magically weak shall be sick and disabled.
This has always been a strongly-held belief among our people and is never put into question.
Consequences: The disabled are systematically treated as if the cause of their disability is weak magic, even though working treatments or even cures might be found if someone tried to look for them.
3. Weakness is a sign of worthlessness.
Limited ressources shall go to those who can benefit from them.
This came to be especially after a disaster created by a ritual getting out of control. The resulting damage to society caused starvation and disease to spread through the population. Those who died first or who were too weakened to fight it where deemed a burden and not worth wasting the meagre resources available on. This is where most of the now common rhetoric around weak magic comes from, even if at the time it did not specifically target the disabled, as many did in fact have magic strong enough to allow them to survive.
Consequences: Healing potions are not considered important and were outlawed at the same time as all other types of potions.
4. The worthless are a burden on society.
All ressources shall go to the worthy; no ressources shall be wasted on the worthless.
All of these beliefs “naturally” manifest in the disabled being thrown out of normal society, being refused job that they are perfectly able of doing, being refused basic politeness and everyday interactions.
Consequences: Everyone treats the disabled with scorn and condescendence, including doctors.
What should I do about this?
Mathematics does not require strong magic but intellect. I was obviously able to pass all competitions to reach the top of the field and joined the Royal Mathematicians. And yet, if my chronic pain is discovered, this achievement will be stolen from me and I will be thrown out. How to counter this? 1. The proof of my intelligence, skills, and accomplishments in the job are obviously not enough. 2. I need to prove that I have powerful magic. --> I need to design a) a device that allows me to duel despite the pain; b) a device impressive enough to make all believe I have incredible magic, thus a device with incredible control of its magic and no magic leaks. 3. I will do this by challenging to a duel those wishing to throw me away from the royal mathematicians, just like the idiot new royal challenger wants to make us all do to see what job we are worthy of. Then they will have no choice but to let me stay, whether they actually believe me worthy or not.For Magic is Might.
>:(
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