Weekly Reading List

In this week's list, I am taking a bit of a break from outrage and heavy-duty activism, to spend some time with some more contemplative, lighter pieces. Except for the dwarf tossing; that's a pretty serious issue.

'My biggest act of rebellion as a disabled person is living as I wish'
Mary O'Hara, The Guardian, UK - January 27, 2016

This profile of a young, British disability rights activist also gives an excellent overview of the current state of disability rights in the UK, which also seems pretty relevant here in the US.

Pride in disabled accomplishments vs. inspiration porn
Real Social Skills for Autonomous People - January 31, 2015

This is an important exploration of the similarities and differences between well-earned praise for the hard work of being disabled, and inspiration porn.

Lego unveils first ever mini-figure in wheelchair
Ben Beaumont-Thomas, The Guardian, UK - January 27, 2016

I played with Lego when I was a kid, so this thrills me. Back then, mini-figures were less common, and I thought differently about disability as well. So, it's hard for me to tell how I would have felt about a wheelchair figure when I was a young disabled kid. I am pretty sure, though, that it wouldn't have done me any harm.

Disability and the Transformation of Memory
John Morris, Medium - January 30, 2016

I feel like I don't see that many articles on disability by people who became disabled later in life. It helps to read how their feelings evolve over time.

Toss Objects, Not People
Leah Smith, Center for Disability Rights - January 27, 2016

My sense is that the missing element to explain "dwarf tossing" today is hipster irony. "Hey, look at this totally retro, really tasteless thing we're doing. Aren't we hilarious?" Hipster irony is almost always obnoxious, but usually harmless. In this case, it's both annoying and very, very harmful.