Stephen Gayle: Black, Disabled, Dead in Custody

#StephenGayle had nerve pain. Caused his legs to kick. So they put him in shackles. #CultOfCompliance /7 — David M. Perry (@Lollardfish) September 30, 2017 This story, amidst so much horror, has not gotten widespread coverage outside the disability rights world.  Temple officers responded to a disturbance complaint around 7:30 p.m. Thursday near an apartment complex. … Continue ReadingStephen Gayle: Black, Disabled, Dead in Custody

Disaster Studies – There are No Natural Disasters

I talked to Jacob Remes about Critical Disaster Studies, Hurricane Maria, Imperialism, Trump, and more. New at Pacific Standard: “At the heart [of the field] is a saying that became common in the 1970s: There’s no such thing as a natural disaster. There are hazards, some of which are natural (earthquakes, tornadoes, river floods) and … Continue ReadingDisaster Studies – There are No Natural Disasters

Viking Re-enactors Against Racism

Vikingar mot nazism är nog mina favoritantinazister pic.twitter.com/EGFaJL92FG — Glenn Bördig (@Felippenegro) September 30, 2017 “Vikingar mot nazism är nog mina favoritantinazister” = Vikings against Nazism are probably my favorite anti-Nazis Image Description: A man in a Viking costume (chainmail, shield, helmet) with Swedish on his shield, translating to “Vikings against inappropriate use of runic … Continue ReadingViking Re-enactors Against Racism

Save the ADA!

The Americans with Disabilities Act is under attack. I co-wrote a piece for the Washington Post about H.R. 620. It’s serious. It has lots of co-sponsors. And it’s got to be stopped. The Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 is perhaps the most wide-ranging civil rights act in the world. After decades of political struggle by … Continue ReadingSave the ADA!

There Ain’t No Normal: Hamilton and Headphones

I wrote about my son’s bright green hearing protectors for Pacific Standard. I hesitated to get them at first, badly swayed by the idea that they would more firmly mark him as different and cause isolation. They do the opposite. They open up the world. Including Hamilton. Here’s the takeaway: I’m not alone. I know far … Continue ReadingThere Ain’t No Normal: Hamilton and Headphones