Hi everyone!
The "in and out of the ivory tower" thread, which arose out of my
request for opinion about disability etiquette brochures is germane to what
happened to me as a result of my posting.
Upon receipt of list members' feedback (which I appreciate very
much), I wrote to my boss to relay some of the arguments for and against this
type of brochure. In return, I received a scathing E-mail from her informing
me that I had no right to make such an inquiry to a list without first
running it by her. She further stated that I misrepresented the brochure
(which I did not) and may have misrepresented the university as well (I never
mentioned its name). She added that I needed to focus on what is "right"
rather than what is "wrong" with the brochure. I perceive her response to be
a good example of institutionalized oppression and a violation of what
Mairian called "academic freedom." As part of my reply, I invoked the First
Amendment and told her that I refuse to participate, either through
complicity or otherwise, in repression of ideas or suppression of speech.
It is a real struggle trying to move disability services for students
out of the medical model. Yes, we who engage in disability studies are,
indeed, advocates. I see no dichotomy here. Yes, David, we who survive the
world of academia are strong!
Best,
Beth Omansky Gordon
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