Marta Russell

If you think you are a Capitalist, or if you think that Capitalism is going to solve inequality, you need to read this book. Also, if you think you are a Socialist and you have neglected to build into your ideology the existence of disability, then you need to read this. I have been surprised by the number of Socialists who ignore this issue. When I bought this book a few years ago it was the only book on the topic from a Marxist frame.

Russell lays out clearly and plainly the ways in which show more the oppression of disabled people continues, despite supposed protections offered by the ADA. As a parent of two disabled children, I have watched my children and others experience the most absurd exclusions and judgements from even academic professionals who, by now, you'd think would know better. The general public and politicians are just heinous on this point. The topic is an important one in our current political climate and a must read for anyone who claims to care. show less

This was a fascinating collection that really made me chew on questions about possibilities for solidarity and also how we frame possibilities for disabled people around work in particular. Russell was clear and accessible in her writing, even when explaining Marxist theory--I borderline understand Marx now! I think I would have liked a little more context around some of the later pieces; though I appreciated the titles and the sites of original publication at the end, I think having them show more accompany the pieces would have helped with some context (as a person who was 15 at the end of the Bush administration, and therefore too young to really remember a lot that was happening in the early 2000s, I needed just a touch more background on some of those policy decisions.)

Regardless, I think some of the essays are definitely good for teaching, even as editor Keith Rosenthal resisted them as being read outside of the larger collection (not that I think he opposes it exactly, just that the construction of the book he makes clear is deliberately meant to be read as a whole.) It's clear that Russell's thought on the place of disabled people as a permanent unemployed class is critical in examining the ADA's employment enactments, and serves as a jumping off point for larger questions (especially around international solidarity, which Russell does not address very clearly in these pieces but which I think is a natural next step to consider after reading her work.) I definitely recommend reading this, especially if you are unfamiliar with what life after the passage of the ADA is like, and how the Supreme Court really stripped down what was possible under that law in the name of protecting business (that chapter in particular was deeply enraging!) show less

(4.5)

Wow, she was so intelligent. Even today, disability scholars don't venture quite so deeply into the roots of ableism. These essays were written about 20-40 years ago, but they're still incredibly relevant. They also feel much more in-depth and helpful then discussions solely limited to whether or not disabled people are "valid" or even welcomed in certain spaces. Definitely recommend this collection of essays and articles.