John T Williams – Deaf First Nations Woodcarver Killed by Police (from 2010)

This story was just brought to my attention in the comment from “Mel” in my previous post. In 2010, John T. Williams, a Native Alaskan woodcarver, was walking down the street holding a 3-inch folding knife and a piece of wood. Officer Ian Birk approached him from behind, firearm drawn, and ordered Williams to drop … Continue ReadingJohn T Williams – Deaf First Nations Woodcarver Killed by Police (from 2010)

#CultofCompliance – Bessemer, AL – Intersection of race and disability.

Donald Ray “Hambone” Wilson, an African-American man has schizophrenia. This fact was known to the police. He was shot in the chest. In this video, he is surrounded by police as he holds a steak knife. He is clearly in mental health crisis and as the police engage into close proximity, they become in danger … Continue Reading#CultofCompliance – Bessemer, AL – Intersection of race and disability.

What do you do when someone tells you they are thinking about suicide?

When someone brings up thoughts of suicide to you, you have already done something right.  This is a repost with permission. Amy McNally is a musician in Madison and a friend. Please share this. There is someone in your social circle who needs to read this.  Originally posted by sweetmusic_27 at International Survivors of Suicide … Continue ReadingWhat do you do when someone tells you they are thinking about suicide?

The Human Scale: What we miss when we compare disasters like Ebola and the Black Death

This is a guest post written by Ellen Arnold, PhD,  Assistant Professor of History at Ohio Wesleyan University.    “Perhaps the biggest thing missing from comparisons between Ebola and the bubonic plague, or in fact between any of these large scale tales of epidemic and pandemic disaster, is the human scale.” I am an environmental … Continue ReadingThe Human Scale: What we miss when we compare disasters like Ebola and the Black Death