2016 in Review: Writing for LARB

I wrote two pieces for Los Angeles Review of Books this year, one on sexual ableism and the Anna Stubblefield case, the other on Michel Bérubé’s recent book on narrative deployments of developmental disability in literature.  The latter was sheer joy to write. Bérubé’s was engaging to read, providing me (a non-literature specialist) with a welcome pathway … Continue Reading2016 in Review: Writing for LARB

Declaring Dominican University a Sanctuary Campus

My university, Dominican University, has declared itself a sanctuary campus. We have a long history as a national leader in supporting the rights of undocumented students to access higher education, including regular fund-raising to make that possible. In 2014 I wrote: Over the last few years at my Roman Catholic university, we have begun to … Continue ReadingDeclaring Dominican University a Sanctuary Campus

Breitbart and Fox News Save [A] Christmas [Carol]!

3) We know that Breitbart ran a story on the cancellation of A Christmas Carol, blaming the family, with a nativity picture in a church. pic.twitter.com/NsxrkSMO2Y — David M. Perry (@Lollardfish) December 23, 2016 A few days ago, would-be theocrat Todd Starnes, a Fox News Christianist pundit, published and performed an inflammatory segment about a school … Continue ReadingBreitbart and Fox News Save [A] Christmas [Carol]!

Books are Awesome (Returned Citizens go to Berkeley)

The New Yorker has a piece on formerly incarcerated people going to UC Berkeley. It’s long and interesting, with many good tidbits about life in prison, life in college, structural obstacles, but also genuine opportunities.  But I want to quote a few bits on how awesome books are. This is Murillo. At first, he read the … Continue ReadingBooks are Awesome (Returned Citizens go to Berkeley)

Missouri: The School-to-Prison Pipeline Needs Some Grease

This will be used against students of color, disabled students, and especially disabled students of color. https://t.co/JcK9S3V1vv — David M. Perry (@Lollardfish) December 21, 2016 The State of Missouri has passed a new statute that will treat school fights as a felony. With credit to the journalist Sarah Kendzior (see the tweet above), here’s how … Continue ReadingMissouri: The School-to-Prison Pipeline Needs Some Grease

Tell Me Your Stories – My New Column at Pacific Standard

I am pleased to announce that I will be joining Pacific Standard as a regular internet columnist on politics and culture, starting in January. I will be producing reported features, opinion columns, interviews, and other pieces, focusing around history and disability rights, both construed as broadly as possible. Here’s my editor: .@PacificStand is pleased to … Continue ReadingTell Me Your Stories – My New Column at Pacific Standard