ASK Musings

Horrific Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Action

“Title III of the ADA creates a proactive duty on businesses to remove architectural barriers and other obstacles that impede access to the establishment. But businesses have resisted making such changes for decades. And, now, they are asking Congress to help them. A harmful new bill in the House of Representatives, the so-called ADA Education and Reform Act of 2017 (H.R. 620), is gaining steam. It will be debated in the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday morning and may go to House floor for a vote soon thereafter.” Congress Wants to Change the Americans With Disabilities Act and Undermine the Civil Rights of People With Disabilities (by Tyler Ray and Vania Leveille for ACLU)

Racism

“Stone Chaney, who attends East Middle School in Farmington Hills, Mich., told ClickOnDetroit that his teacher “violently” dragged him out of his chair and attempted to force him to stand for the pledge, leaving the young man confused and unwilling to return to that school. “The teacher consultant comes up behind me and snatches me out of my chair violently,” Stone told the news site. “I was so confused. I didn’t know what was going on.”” Mich. Teacher ‘Violently’ Drags Black 6th-Grader Out of His Seat After He Declines to Stand for the Pledge of Allegiance: Report (by Breanna Edwards for The Root)

“Here’s a riddle for you: Three young black men are walking alongside a Louisiana road when they get hit by a passing vehicle. Who gets charged? If you guessed “the driver, of course, duh,” then you guessed wrong, because apparently nothing makes sense anymore.” 3 Young Black Men Were Hit by a Motorist While Walking Along a Road in La. Guess Who Got Charged? (by Breanna Edwards for The Root)

Cultural Appropriation

“Within months, Polow flew Iggy from Atlanta to LA. For a few weeks, she shadowed him in the studio, meeting icons like Timbaland and Dr. Dre and superstars like Chris Brown, who saw her and, according to Polow, wondered, “Who the fuck is that?” By then, Iggy had cycled through a series of mentors who pushed her toward pop. They also taught her how to rap. Polow was just about last in the lineup before she met T.I., the rap star who would help her create the “super hood shit” Polow says she envisioned.” The Making and Unmaking of Iggy Azalea (by Clover Hope for Jezebel)

Violence Against the Trans Community

“Like Banner, most of the trans people who have been murdered this year were black trans women. They were found dead in cars, in garages, outside shopping centers, and on rural roads. Last year, 27 transgender people were murdered, most of whom were overwhelmingly women of color. It was the deadliest year on record for transgender people.” 20 transgender people have been killed this year (by Casey Quinlan for Think Progress)

Reproductive Health

“Twelve years later, she’s still waiting to have what’s often considered the most effective surgery to treat endometriosis—the delay a result of a long path to diagnosis and, now, lack of insurance coverage for the procedure that would give her the best chance for less debilitating pain. Gibbons has taken up to 20 Advil per day—more than the recommended maximum—to manage the condition.” For Those With Endometriosis, Lack of Access to Surgical Option Compounds the Pain (by Nadra Nittle for Rewire)

Hurricane Response

“Employees at the Florida nursing home where eight residents died in sweltering heat after Hurricane Irma called an emergency cell phone in the governor’s office multiple times as the temperature inside the facility soared, officials said Friday. The Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills claimed in a timeline provided to CBS Miami that staff members called Florida Power & Light and the governor’s office multiple times starting on Sept. 10, but failed to receive help until three days later, when patients were already having medical emergencies.” Nursing Home Where 8 Residents Died After Irma Had Called Governor’s Office For Help (by Mary Ann Georgantopoulos, Brianna Sacks, and Blake Montgomery for Buzzfeed)

“Fortunately, there are organizations whose focus is to provide assistance to communities of color and other groups that are disproportionately vulnerable in times of tragedy. Here, a partial list.” How to Donate Money and Other Aid to Communities of Color in Houston (by Ayana Byrd for Colorlines)

Cool Thing of the Week

Lighting “Insecure”