“I treat everyone the same.”

I’ve been thinking about the way that “treating everyone the same” functions to magnify privilege and reinforce extant power dynamics, rather than promoting equality. Two examples from divergent worlds. First, Daniel Handler’s statement on Gwenda Bond’s blog. At one point he writes, “As someone who’s been a struggling author, I take seriously the responsibilities of … Continue Reading“I treat everyone the same.”

Against Incremental Consensus on Firearms

I like incrementalism, but the NRA has made it impossible. Even the massacre of children, churchgoers, country music fans, and teenagers, hasn’t helped. So let’s change the context. I wrote against the Second Amendment for Pacific Standard: When I say “repeal the Second Amendment,” I am not saying that we should criminalize all private ownership … Continue ReadingAgainst Incremental Consensus on Firearms

Lemony Snicket and #MeToo

I wrote this today. A little context, including the fact that Wesleyan University intends to put him on stage with, of all people, Anita Hill /1 https://t.co/G9289DC6sj — David M. Perry (@Lollardfish) February 22, 2018 A lot here on my latest article. More to come on Wesleyan, in particular, as I watch how this moves.

Ableist Job Ads

I’ve written a lot about ableism in job ads. Here’s one from last year. I’ve never seen this before – I see it as a compromise move. For a disability services associate director at Texas Christian University: Physical Requirements (With or Without Accommodations): Visual acuity to read information from computer screens, forms and other printed … Continue ReadingAbleist Job Ads

Christopher Hardaway and the Cult of Compliance

Don’t miss this story about policing and disability from Chattanooga. It’s a perfectly awful example of the #cultofcompliance. Hardaway, the victim here, is black, disabled, and homeless.  First encounter: Weeks before, Hardaway said his wheelchair had died nearby, leaving him stranded on the sidewalk for eight hours, with no one offering help. He eventually fell … Continue ReadingChristopher Hardaway and the Cult of Compliance