Things I Hate About Warriors Fanfiction

Disabled Cats + Ableism

Whatever you do, don't treat disabled cats like the Erin's did.

Ableism is a huge issue in Warriors. This can be controversial, so let me say a few things.

1.) I do not like the Warriors series anymore, but I like reading fanfics, and writing them. 

2.) This doesn't mean that you can't like them. The series is problematic as hell, but at the end of the day, it's your choice if you just like reading and enjoying the series, or analyzing it deeply, and you shouldn't shame others for what they do. You can like something that's problematic, but you should admit that they're problematic. Hell, I like Halsey, and she's pretty problematic. (But sometimes people cross the line, like Benedick [Benedict] Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman. Go on "Your Fave is problematic" in Tumblr and search them.) 

3.) I'm fairly educated on ableism, and both my twin and I are disabled. I have a pretty good idea that I know what I'm talking about, but feel free debate things with me !

(Note: This is focused on cats with physical disabilities. )

Now, let's get into the issues with ableism in Warriors.

Ableism in Warriors: Disabled characters cannot be Warriors, and must retire to the medicine den or Elder's den. There is only three that didn't (I'm pretty sure) - those being Nightstar, (my lord and saviour) Brightheart, and Deadfoot. If not, then they're killed off. Fun.

How this is ableist: Super unrealistic, and just.. you know, ableist. It's enforcing the idea that disabled cats cannot be as good as able cats. (Bare in mind this is unintentional and subtle, but still an issue.)  Disabled cats can be Warriors, just like abled cats. Blind cats can hunt. They can navigate their way around the territory, though I doubt that they could fight. Deaf cats can hunt and fight. Cats use body language instead of vocal speech in real life, though in the series they use mainly verbal speech to communicate. Cats with broken legs, and similar physical disabilities can still maneuver themselves around, and hunt!
Cats with paralysis? It's harder to think about. Some may even be completely immobile. While for many (depending on the paralysis) can't be warriors, some could? But there are some ways to get around this.

How to avoid this in your fic: Simple. Utilise nonverbal communication. Show that disabled cats have the ability to be Warriors. If it isn't possible, create a rank of more that disabled cats can do, that is just as fulfilling and important as a warrior - your fic doesn't have to be exactly like the series!

Ableism in Warriors: Brightheart was only able to get through her early days because of Cloudtail, he was the only one who bothered to check in her. (Aside from Fireheart, of course.) It didn't focus on Brightheart herself, or her overcoming internalized ableism. It turned into a way to get Cloudtail and Brightheart together. No one (except Cloudtail) even said anything about Brightheart being beautiful, nothing at all. People called her ugly, and she got stares (reasonable for cats like Princess and Daisy who hadn't seen extensive injuries) but no one except Cloudtail ever reassured her. While her disability was used as a good plot device in terms of the dogs, it should've focused more on Brightheart herself, her development because of the injury. It became ableist the moment her disability was disregarded and used only as a way to get her and Cloudtail together.

How To Avoid This In Your Fic: Don't use disabilities are mental illnesses as plot devices when it's simply going to focus on love, or going to highlight the ugliness of the disability, or always highlight it in a negative manner.

Ableism In Warriors: Brightflower was literally sent to the Dark Forest because she "wasn't sane enough to accept that Yellowfang didn't kill her kits" and Lilywhisker for "being bitter about her disability." I don't really need to give an explanation for why this is fucking pathetic. I mean, if we're sending cats to the Dark Forest for bitterness over disabilities, say goodbye to your precious Jayfeather.

How to avoid this in your fic: Don't put cats in the Dark Forest for shitty ableist reasons.

Ableism In Warriors: The Clans don't offer adequate support for cats with disabilities. The Clans are set up to be a society where there is no place for a cat who is disabled. Aside from being an elder or a medicine cat, they have nowhere to go. Disabled cats who do try to become warriors are not accommodated for, they're expected to be the perfect, able warrior. Jayfeather wasn't given enough support when he trained as a warrior. While the Clan tried, with Longtail and Brightheart, but the other Clans didn't think about not attacking him. They didn't think about "hey, he won't be able to fight us. This isn't his fault, we can live without attacking one cat." No. They attacked him anyway. The Clans never thought "hey, maybe we need to adapt our ranks for disabled cats." This would've been okay if it had been to target ableism. But it wasn't.

How to avoid this in your fic: Make sure your disabled cats get the right support. Fit them into your Clan society without forcing them to become something they don't want to be. Create an equal society, one better than our own.

Just a note - if anyone mentions normal cat instincts, I will eat you. They're anthropomorphized to an extreme; they're humans in cat suits.

Blackbird out.