[ Golden Gater Online - November 13, 1997 ]
Maria Pikoula
Staff writer
A symposium, celebrating the publishing of a new anthology of authors with disabilities, provided participants with the opportunity to present the disability experience through poetry, fiction, nonfiction and drama. It also introduced a new movement -- the culture of disability.
The panelists focused their discussion on the emerging culture of disability. They talked about a new culture being formed through literature, which is a new approach to defining the disabled identity.
"We look at other aspects of our lives -- not the political agenda. We look at literature. It helps us locate who we are," said Kenny Fries, the editor of the anthology.
The newly published anthology, "Staring Back: The Disability Experience From the Inside Out," opens the doors to the disability experience for exploration and discussion among the disabled and non-disabled community, Fries said.
"Disability has always been viewed by the non-disabled," said Fries, referring to the lack of books written from the perspective of the disabled. "It is the first time a commercial press has published such a book."
Fries compiled a collection of essays because he wanted to give voice to different aspects of the disabled experience in contemporary society.
He said the anthology means a lot to the disabled community because it contains a variety of human experiences that has long gone underrepresented.
"It is a wealth of work not given voice before," Fries said.
The five panelists said to an audience of about 40 that it is time to put politics aside and concentrate on bridging community gaps and forming an identity though arts and culture.
"We are not dealing with politics nor physical barriers, such as accessibility, or transportation. We are talking about a cultural evolution -- literature, films, poetry," said Dan Arkin, a SF State counseling major.
"Politics and activism have been a priority for a long time and culture has taken a back seat. Now, we have to form a coherent cultural movement," writer Nancy Mairs said.
However, such change is not easy to come about.
"A lot of work needs to be done," Fries said. "You cannot legislate attitudes."
Members of the audience expressed that such an event gives the disabled a sense of community.
"It has been a celebration. It is a real desire to share the stories describing individuals and reflect back to other people," Jenny Kern said of the event.
Mairs, who was one of the panelists, started writing 15 years ago with one purpose in mind: To tell the truth about human nature.
"I present the experience of a disabled woman," Mairs said, "and shoot down the stereotypes, good or bad, about the disabled people. I let people in my world live with me for a while."
According to Fries, "Staring Back" confronts issues of power and self-definition, debunking the notion that disability means limitation and challenging the audience to look anew at the disabilities of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Matisse, the lives of Helen Keller and Frida Kahlo. Now, through writing, people with disabilities can connect with each other on another level.
"It is a chance for people in the disabled community to come together and talk about arts and culture," said Paul Longmore, director of the Institute on Disability at SF State which sponsored the symposium.
"It is a great event. Very compelling insights. It is nice reflecting on what they (disabled people) say about their experiences and connect with," said Jen Garrett, an activist with Disability Rights Education Defense Fund.
Panelists and members of the audience relayed similar personal experiences.
Panelist Lynn Manning talked about being treated in certain ways. "I wonder sometimes 'Am I being treated a certain way because I am Black or because I am blind?'" Manning asked.
Mairs said she has seen a lot of favorable changes, such as better accessibility and more awareness of the disability experience.
"They don't see me as a problem," Mairs said. "I carry disability as a normalcy. It is who I am."
[ Golden Gater - November 13, 1997 ]