Military Waste In Our Drinking Water
a Project Censored Nominee
written with Astra Taylor
An article I co-wrote with Astra Taylor is now up on Alternet.
Most of us are vaguely aware that war devastates the environment abroad. The Vietnamese Red Cross counts 150,000 children whose birth defects were caused by their parents' exposure to Agent Orange. Cancer rates in Iraq are soaring as a result of depleted uranium left from the Gulf War. But what about closer to home?... [Read more...]
Disability and Sexism in the Arts
An interview with painters Katherine Sherwood and Riva Lehrer
Until a few years ago I thought that the only other disabled artist was Frida Kahlo. As a young disabled painter I felt isolated and in many ways at a complete loss as to how to deal with the sensitive reality of disability in the critical world of the arts. As my work and my career evolved over the years, I began to realize that my sense of isolation did not stem from my body, but from a world that was both discriminatory and inaccessible. I also realized that Frida Kahlo and I were not alone... [Read more...]
A Letter to NPR
The following is a letter I wrote to NPR after appearing on All Things Considered recently.
Dear Susan,
I am writing because I feel confused and very saddened by NPR. I really did enjoy your representation of my art and me and am grateful for all NPR's kind words, however the fact that the cause of my disability was switched from being military related to some broad term "industry", I find very upsetting. My disability was caused by U.S MILITARY POLLUTION through an Air Force contractor... [Read more...]
The Right Not to Work: Power and Disability
An article I wrote for the Monthly Review is now online...
"I have a confession to make: I do not work. I am on SSI. I have very little work value (if any), and I am a drain on our country's welfare system. I have another confession to make: I do not think this is wrong, and to be honest, I am very happy not working. Instead I spend the majority of my time doing the activity I find the most rewarding and valuable, painting." [Read more...]
Notes on ADAPTs Free our People March
Over 200 people with various disabilities marched from Philadelphia to Washington, DC last summer in support of a piece of legislation called MiCASSA (Medicaid Community-Based Attendant Services and Supports Act). Here are some of my thoughts on the march.
I. A Failed Revolution:
I wondered why it was that disabled people always smelled of bleach? No: I wondered why it was that other disabled people always smelled of bleach? I most certainly did not. This was proof that I was on the wrong bus. I held my breath and my tongue. I was curious about where this bus full of unmentionables would end up, but I did not want to draw attention to myself in case it ended up somewhere disagreeable. I didn't drool or hang my head limply. I didn't have a permanent toothy grin or let out horrid pinching screams for no reason. I did not smell like bleach. I had no doubt that no matter where this freak show was headed it would soon be realized that they had picked me up by accident and I would be sent home with many apologies. [Read more...]