Disability culture is here and thriving
Hello friends,
I woke up to an email this morning that was both simultaneously annoying and motivating. It was from my alma mater Northwestern's news magazine (an increasingly propaganda-filled publication that somehow keeps following me around despite my trying to unsubscribe). The subject read "hope for healing spinal chord injuries."
While I do have deep respect for the people in labs doing serious science (in this case regenerative medicine), the spin on this story is utterly exhausting. In this mainstream mindset, there can't possibly be any hope for people with disabilities until some well-funded people with no connection to the community swoop in with a solution that slowly gestated in an ivory tower for decades.
In reality, there are people on the ground now doing work that makes life better, and they / we are able to do that with what we already have. I can't help but imagine what already thriving disability culture spaces would be like if they received the same support and esteem that private research juggernauts do.
If you'd like to know just a little more about disabled love and the culture it creates, Stephanie Alma and I just published an article as part of Wordgathering's Disability Futures in the Arts Series. We talk about how our differences make us stronger together, talk a bit about what we've already accomplished, and outline our plans for the future. You can check out our article and some other informative stories right here.
With that in mind, I'm even more excited than I already was for this Saturday's event at the Agitator Gallery. Read below for details. Disability culture is fun and beautiful with or without stem cell inovations, and we have a hot spot for crip culture right here in Chicago. Hope to catch you Saturday.
Cuerpos Justificados Presents Love Cripistemology: Un Amor Prohibido
Join us this Saturday as four kickass groups share music that interprets love cripistemology--the way in which disabled people show, or have to withhold love. I'm personally stoked about how this event covers our widest musical spectrum yet. We've got the folk / bluegrass stylings of Ashley Ann Grigs, some hard-hitting and soulful rap from Jammar Biggz, the etherial harmonies of Stephanie Alma and Janna Lyhus, and will be closing out with a special cinematic set performed by myself and Karl Maher. Stick around for a DJ dance party after the sets. A very real moment in crip culture is happening now.
- When: Saturday Feb. 11 from 7-9pm
- Where: Agitator Gallery (3851 W Fullerton Ave)
- $5 suggested donation
- There will be pizza and goodies