Society cannot continue to disable themselves through their need to categorize people or make assumptions as to another individual's abilities.
Interpretation
Judging others by categories limits their potential and individuality.
Evelyn Glennie's quote emphasizes the detrimental effects of categorizing individuals and making assumptions about their abilities. It suggests that society's tendency to label people can prevent them from realizing their full potential, as these labels often overshadow their unique talents and contributions. By urging society to move beyond these constraints, the quote advocates for a more inclusive perspective that values individual capabilities over preconceived notions.
In practice
During a workshop on diversity, this quote can be used to address the importance of inclusivity.
I just assumed the world was full of solo percussionists. I couldn't find sticks or music or anything where I was, but that was expected because there was nothing there anyway. And I think that was possibly the greatest asset for me, just not knowing.
If we see someone in a wheelchair, we assume they cannot walk. It may be that they can walk three, four, five steps. That, to them, means they can walk.
The Church has surrendered her once lofty concept of God and has substituted for it one so low, so ignoble, as to be utterly unworthy of thinking, worshiping men. This she has not done deliberately, but little by little and without her knowledge; and her very unawareness only makes her situation all the more tragic.
There is no fundamental difference in the ways of thinking of primitive and civilized man. A close connection between race and personality has never been established.
It takes a long while for a naturally trustful person to reconcile himself to the idea that after all God will not help him
In any institution-factory, university, health center, or whatever-there are a variety of interests that ought to be represented in decision-making: the work force itself, the community in which it is located, users of its products or services, institutions that compete for the same resources. These interests should be directly represented in democratic structures that displace and eliminate private ownership of the means of production or resources, an anachronism with no legitimacy.
Puddleglum's my name. But it doesn't matter if you forget it. I can always tell you again.
Neither one should hesitate about dedicating oneself to philosophy when young, nor should get tired of doing it when one's old, because no one is ever too young or too old to reach one's soul's healthy.
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