[Content warning: Profanity] I wasn’t going to write anything at all about Rachel Dolezal. I was going to simply dismiss her as a rather confused woman whose personal misery has led her into some profoundly disturbing, unethical, and self-serving actions. In fact, what she did angers me so much that I really don’t want to give her the time of day. So why the hell am I … [Read more...]
The Problem with Person-First Language
[Image description: The photograph shows a pair of red Converse high-top sneakers and a red cane.] In the disability world, it is not unusual to hear the expression, "See the person, not the disability." I rather cringe at this construction -- in the same way that I rather cringe when people talk about colorblindness and race. Why this insistence on ignoring what is palpably … [Read more...]
Shame and Disconnection: The Missing Voices of Oppression in Brene Brown’s “The Power of Vulnerability”
Brene Brown [The photograph show the head and shoulders of a smiling woman with short blond hair. She is wearing oval-shaped earrings, a light brown scarf and a blue jacket.] I first ran across Brene Brown’s work after several friends told me that I absolutely, positively had to watch her TED talk The Power of Vulnerability. They thought I’d love it. They thought it would … [Read more...]
Never Stop Looking For Your People
Photograph by West Anderson [Image description: The photograph shows the roller coaster at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. The photo was taken from above from the ferris wheel. Lights are visible on the roller coaster, the ocean is on the left, and a few people are visible walking on the ground.] My husband Bob and I have been going to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk on … [Read more...]
Passing and Disability: Why Coming Out as Disabled Can Be So Difficult
[Image description: The photograph shows the author and her kid at this year’s Pride parade in Santa Cruz, CA. Rachel is standing on the right wearing a blue t-shirt, black pants, and a scarf decorated in rainbow-colored stars. She is a middle-aged white woman with short greying hair and glasses, and she is holding a water bottle. To the left is Rachel’s kid, who is wearing a … [Read more...]
I Was Going To Write A Post About Not Telling Ableist Jokes, But I Changed My Mind
[Image description: Two white hands with gray sleeves hold up a white sign that reads, “What do we want?! Respectful discourse. When do we want it?! Now would be agreeable to me, but I am interested in your opinion.” Behind the sign are a blue sky, orange and green foliage, and a partial view of the Capitol building.] For many years, I've written about language and its … [Read more...]
