Tough week. I was working mid-week on finishing a major project (almost done!) about disability and violence, when suddenly my twitter feed filled with news about a shooting at a disability services center. I lost my ability to concentrate, then I sat down and started drafting essays (in response to editors contacting me), afraid I…
Donaldson has a disability, uses a wheelchair and is living on limited income. “You have to decide between living day-to-day and rent,” she told me. Finding an accessible home that she can afford is a challenge, and the struggle is compounded by landlords who turn her away because she is in a wheelchair. “When you…
Each of the victims of the San Bernardino shootings deserves to be remembered. Here’s one, from a piece in the NYT on the victims: One of the only victims who did not work with Mr. Farook was Daniel Kaufman, 42, who ran the coffee shop at Inland Regional where he trained developmentally disabled people. Friends…
I’ll have a piece later today from CNN on the shooting in San Bernardino, CA. I’ve written about gun violence for them before. I’m sitting in a small square room, cluttered with books and papers, at the end of a short dead-end corridor. I’m a history professor at a small university, sitting in my office…
The Chronicle for Higher Education covered the “Save Ashgate” petition and movement, now with over 7000 signatures (which is a huge number for an academic publishing issue). The company has not yet responded to the petitioners, according to Kathleen E. Kennedy, an associate professor of English at Pennsylvania State University-Brandywine. That silence speaks volumes, she…
I’ve been out of town so haven’t been commenting directly on the Laquan McDonald killing. Two major points. First, I believe that the elected officials of Chicago tried to cover this up and delay justice for political gain. The Cook County prosecutor, Anita Alvarez, must have had probable cause to indict Officer Van Dyke for…
I am abroad, wrangling two kids while my wife works, then working myself. No posts until December 1. Much to say about traveling with family then.
The Star Tribune has a great five-part series about disability and work, focused on Minnesota, but looking more broadly – Failing the Disabled. Here’s one I like, because it’s a positive outcome. With her zest and ambition, Wollum personifies the remarkable strategy that has made Vermont a leader in the civil rights movement for adults…
Quick post today as I am in transit. Anti-vaxxers and pro-cure folks in the Autism community are making much of the claim that Autism rates are now 1 in 45. As always – there is no autism epidemic. The great Emily Willingham has more: For the 2011-2013 survey, parents answered a series of three questions….
Last Wednesday, a group of African-American students staged a public protest against racism on our campus. You can see video and read about it here. They chanted, “Silence no more,” vowing to call out the racism that they saw. As of yesterday, faculty response coalesced around the phrase “Complicit no more.” There will be an…