Change We Must

“Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.”

I wish I could take credit for those words, but they belong to Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She cared about women’s rights, and we have her to thank for the ability to open a bank account, hold a mortgage, and get a credit card without a husband as a co-signer. She consistently upheld our reproductive rights and opened the door to marriage equality.

Did you know that she also fought for the rights of people with disabilities to live within their communities instead of in institutions? In 1999, the Supreme Court found the unjustified segregation of people with disabilities is a form of unlawful discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Notice the date. That was only 21 years ago. In fact, the ADA itself is only 30 years old.

Are you surprised? I’m not, but I naively - no, that’s not the right word - I take it for granted that able-bodied people know more about disability than they actually do. I will tell you what did surprise me. With all of the work that I’ve done to inform by example and educate anecdotally with a very mainstreamed, inclusive perspective I still feel like I live on a dust speck. Specifically, the one that only Horton can hear. I’m a proud and vocal supporter of the LGBTQ and BIPOC communities. But when it comes to talking about disability pride (did I mention that July was Disability Pride month?) there is a disproportionate and deafening silence.

Mask, top, necklace and skirt: Rank & Sugar

I know that sounds harsh, and I don’t want to minimize any of the efforts and actions from the people that have heard me, because every step in this journey is important. But, if we really want lasting change and recognition of equal rights we have to engage able-bodied people as allies. The Civil Rights movement was successful because people who weren’t black recognized how wrong it is to segregate and denigrate people based on the color of their skin. George Floyd and Breonna Taylor tragically reminded all of us that Black Lives Matter, and those rights are still not fully granted to the BIPOC community. Likewise, LGBTQ rights have gained traction because of widening support by cisgender, heterosexual allies. And the deaths of Tony McDade, Layleen Polanco and countless others are proof that being different can still cost you your life.

Rank & Sugar is not just a label. It's connecting humans, honoring soldiers, empowering women, finding a voice, spreading peace.

Still, there is progress because we are uniting to demand equality. Recognition of human rights has to transcend religion and politics. The former can be exclusionary and the latter often dishonest and transient. Both can go a long way towards dividing us and suggesting identity doctrines versus critical thinking. I know I’m the exception and not the rule but I’m an individualist. As that person that’s always out on the farthest-reaching limb, I’m going to defend every branch and leaf on that tree. That includes people of all colors, gender identities and sexual orientations. Character is what matters because it’s the one thing in life that is entirely up to you.

In unity there is strength. Unity for humanity.

But it does get lonely out here on this limb. It is time for you - yes, you - to look up, look around and gain an understanding of how hard it is to be disabled in 2020. Segregated by physical barriers, limited in life choices and employment options, denigrated for not having perfect physiques, physically and sexually assaulted by abusive parents/partners/passersby, murdered by authorities/institutions/indifference.

“Shine On” is stamped into the dog tag necklace.

Add this to the wakeup call that is 2020. This is the Cliff’s notes version and I know it’s heavy. But from this point forward I feel compelled to weave a little awareness in with the fashion - and there will always be fashion! That remains one of the most overlooked and underserved aspects of disability.

Equal rights for people with disabilities can’t happen without your help. My job is to make you want to be the change along with me.