The Record
November 14, 2008
By Paul Aronsohn
John McCain's candidacy was many things to many people. For some, it was a chance to vote for a military hero, a lifelong public servant or even a self-proclaimed "maverick." For others, it was a chance to vote against an Iraq war supporter, a George Bush partisan or even a career politician.
For me, however, it was a stark reminder of how far we – as a nation – still need to go to eliminate prejudice against people with disabilities.
Prior to his campaign, McCain's military record was well-known to many Americans. His war injuries, however, were not. In fact, it was not until images of McCain were flashed on our television screens – during evening news broadcasts, the presidential debates and episodes of "Saturday Night Live" — did many of us come to know his physical limitations.
While public discussion of those limitations seemed rare, comments – some of them rude and insensitive – could often be heard in private conversations.
Granted, in a year when prejudice – namely sexism, racism and ageism — took center stage in a presidential contest, such conversations might be expected. The stereotypes. The tasteless jokes. The disparaging comments. Without question, the 2008 presidential campaign took place against a backdrop of bigotry.
But unlike the sexist, racist, ageist clouds that hung over this election season, the hurtful references to and imitations of McCain's disability went unchallenged. No condemnations. No expressions of remorse. And really no acknowledgement that the ridicule was morally reprehensible.
In fact, the cruel references and imitations were often condoned and, in some cases, even encouraged for cheap laughs.
This is unconscionable and unacceptable. Approximately 54 million Americans live life with some form of disability, and it is a slap in the face to each and every one of them to permit this type of bigotry. Spinal cord injury patients. Autistic children. Arthritic parents. Psychologically traumatized veterans.
They are us
We know these 54 million Americans because they happen to be our parents, our children, our family and our friends. They are us – if not today, then most assuredly some time in the future.
We therefore need to do better by them and by us. We need to recognize that bigotry – in any way, shape or form – is wrong. And we need to extend the electoral mandate of "change" to include a fundamental change in the way we view, treat and talk about people with disabilities.
On election night, President-elect Barack Obama took the first major step in this direction when he made history by referencing disabled Americans during his victory speech – the first such reference, I believe, in the history of such speeches. In so doing, Obama made it clear that he is ready to do his part to set a new national tone regarding people with disabilities.
It's up to the rest of us to follow his lead.
Simply stated, ending bigotry against people with disabilities is a change we need.
Paul Aronsohn, a Ridgewood councilman, leads that town's "Access for All" Committee on disability issues. He is also a board member of the National Spinal Cord Injury Association.
JOHN MCCAIN'S candidacy was many things to many people. For some, it was a chance to vote for a military hero, a lifelong public servant or even a self-proclaimed "maverick." For others, it was a chance to vote against an Iraq war supporter, a George Bush partisan or even a career politician.
For me, however, it was a stark reminder of how far we – as a nation – still need to go to eliminate prejudice against people with disabilities.
Prior to his campaign, McCain's military record was well-known to many Americans. His war injuries, however, were not. In fact, it was not until images of McCain were flashed on our television screens – during evening news broadcasts, the presidential debates and episodes of "Saturday Night Live" — did many of us come to know his physical limitations.
While public discussion of those limitations seemed rare, comments – some of them rude and insensitive – could often be heard in private conversations.
Granted, in a year when prejudice – namely sexism, racism and ageism — took center stage in a presidential contest, such conversations might be expected. The stereotypes. The tasteless jokes. The disparaging comments. Without question, the 2008 presidential campaign took place against a backdrop of bigotry.
But unlike the sexist, racist, ageist clouds that hung over this election season, the hurtful references to and imitations of McCain's disability went unchallenged. No condemnations. No expressions of remorse. And really no acknowledgement that the ridicule was morally reprehensible.
In fact, the cruel references and imitations were often condoned and, in some cases, even encouraged for cheap laughs.
This is unconscionable and unacceptable. Approximately 54 million Americans live life with some form of disability, and it is a slap in the face to each and every one of them to permit this type of bigotry. Spinal cord injury patients. Autistic children. Arthritic parents. Psychologically traumatized veterans.
They are us
We know these 54 million Americans because they happen to be our parents, our children, our family and our friends. They are us – if not today, then most assuredly some time in the future.
We therefore need to do better by them and by us. We need to recognize that bigotry – in any way, shape or form – is wrong. And we need to extend the electoral mandate of "change" to include a fundamental change in the way we view, treat and talk about people with disabilities.
On election night, President-elect Barack Obama took the first major step in this direction when he made history by referencing disabled Americans during his victory speech – the first such reference, I believe, in the history of such speeches. In so doing, Obama made it clear that he is ready to do his part to set a new national tone regarding people with disabilities.
It's up to the rest of us to follow his lead.
Simply stated, ending bigotry against people with disabilities is a change we need.
Paul Aronsohn, a Ridgewood councilman, leads that town's "Access for All" Committee on disability issues. He is also a board member of the National Spinal Cord Injury Association.
