Common Words: How does Trump’s Plagiarism Happen

Last night, as you know, Melania Trump plagiarized Michelle Obama. Here’s a link. How does this actually happen? I’m assuming no speechwriter conspiracy. I’m also assuming Trump didn’t write it herself, despite earlier claims, because the campaign has since talked about her “team of writers.” When my students end up plagiarizing, it’s usually not due … Continue ReadingCommon Words: How does Trump’s Plagiarism Happen

#CultOfCompliance – Autistic Boy Tasered by Police

The White House is hosting a forum today on disability and criminal justice. They are announcing the “AVID prison project.” Here’s a press release with live-streaming information. Here’s a useful summary from the Center for American Progress. I’ll write more tomorrow, plan to watch the stream as much as possible, and will be engaged on … Continue Reading#CultOfCompliance – Autistic Boy Tasered by Police

Ken Burns’ Historians on Donald Trump: Old white guys mostly

This all started because noted cranky scold Stanley Fish wrote a New York Times piece chiding historians for having opinions about Donald Trump as historians. Here, read Erik Loomis take it apart over at Lawyers, Guns, and Money. Honestly, the original essay makes no coherent argument about why it’s not ok to use one’s expertise to … Continue ReadingKen Burns’ Historians on Donald Trump: Old white guys mostly

New Ruderman White Paper: Disability and TV – Danny Woodburn

The Ruderman Foundation has just released a new white paper, in collaboration with actor Danny Woodburn, on people with disabilities on scripted TV. What they found wasn’t surprising, but it’s also not good. You can read the white paper here. Coverage from Variety here. An LA Times op-ed by the Woodburn and Jay Ruderman here. There are … Continue ReadingNew Ruderman White Paper: Disability and TV – Danny Woodburn

Disability and Policing: Knives and the Myth of the 21 Foot Rule

Reminder for Chicagoans: Tonight at 5 at Truman College – testify about police killings of people with disabilities. Stephon Watts; Laquan McDonald; so many more. Facebook event page here. ———————————— NOTE: Post below has been edited for tone and clarity (9:30 7/12) Police killed a man armed with a knife in Sacramento on Monday. It’s … Continue ReadingDisability and Policing: Knives and the Myth of the 21 Foot Rule

Chicago Action: Testify – Police Violence Against Disabled Chicagoans of Color

On Tuesday night, The Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office will host a hearing on police violence in Chicago. Advance Youth Leadership Power – a group focused on organizing disabled youth of color – will lead an action before it to focus on the intersection of police violence against people of color and … Continue ReadingChicago Action: Testify – Police Violence Against Disabled Chicagoans of Color