Hidden Disabilities; or, You Have No Idea What You Are Seeing

Last Tuesday, CNN published an essay of mine that took the occasion of Kanye West’s bad behavior, in which he demanded fans prove their disabilities, to talk about the way that this happens to people with disabilities all the time.  Response was mostly very positive, but I always pay attention to criticisms, even though I … Continue ReadingHidden Disabilities; or, You Have No Idea What You Are Seeing

Disabilities and Identity – Spectrum, not Binary

Today I have a new piece on CNN about Kanye West. I build on yesterday’s blog post, expanding my argument that the Kanye West’s behavior is a magnified celebrity egotistical version of the kinds of skepticism and suspicion faced people with disabilities all the time. In the piece, I write: Reaction to this incident throughout … Continue ReadingDisabilities and Identity – Spectrum, not Binary

Sunday Roundup – Boycotts: NFL, GoFundMe, University of Illinois

Get it? It’s a roundup!  Today is Sunday. I am not watching the NFL.  For me, being a football fan was a major part of my identity, one that intensified with the advent of Fantasy Football. As the concussion scandal intensified, I began to scale back my engagement with the game. First quitting fantasy, then … Continue ReadingSunday Roundup – Boycotts: NFL, GoFundMe, University of Illinois

Crowdsourcing: Hiring Timelines with Boards of Trustees/Regents/Visitors Approval

As surely all of you know by now, the hiring then unhiring of Steven Salaita at the University of Illinois has highlighted many important issues for higher education. Much of the discussion has, correctly, focused on how we may and may not discuss Israel and fundamental questions about academic freedom and faculty governance. As the … Continue ReadingCrowdsourcing: Hiring Timelines with Boards of Trustees/Regents/Visitors Approval

Boycott GoFundMe – Silencing pro-choice voices; Enabling anti-choice voices.

I have a pledge. I hope you’ll join me and take it too. I will not contribute to any GoFundMe campaigns started after 9/9/14 until they treat abortion the same way they treat all other personal medical procedures.  I have contributed to many campaigns in the past, including just last week (funeral expenses for an … Continue ReadingBoycott GoFundMe – Silencing pro-choice voices; Enabling anti-choice voices.