I join with other disability activists regarding the ramifications of the assassination of Charlie Kirk. First, murder is never the correct route to follow when a person disagrees with another person regarding the values of Human Rights. However, President Trump raises the assignation of Mr. Kirk to an act of martyrdom as Kirk attempted to solidify others to embrace Trump’s values of “right” for our beloved nation. In the process, the President of the United States considers labeling as liberals as terrorists of the United States, and those people need to be brought to justice (his form of justice). I am waiting for the black SUVs with the black Balaclava squad to come crashing through my front door.
The United Nations declared that the country of Israel is committing genocide in the Gaza Strip. In reading Al Jazeera, the news organization reports the number of Palestinians murdered daily in Gaza. The number usually runs from sixty to one hundred twenty-five. Many are children who died of starvation.
Labeling people demonstrating for the Human Rights of Palestinians as antisemites is maniacal. Yet, our postsecondary institutions are caving to the tyrannical rule of President Trump. As we all know, the President of the University of California, Berkeley, submitted a list of those on campus who participated in pro-Palestinian demonstrations. Those demonstrators are considered antisemites and are waiting to be investigated by federal authorities.
I am wondering if some of the “pesky disabled students” were added to the list as an afterthought. Doing so would certainly relieve what many on college campuses perceive as “burdens.” I wonder if Ed Roberts, attempting to attend Berkeley at this time, would have been included on the list with the hopes that the “Feds” would deal with him?
As disability rights activists, we need to stand together in solidarity as we move forward. We must continue to enable disabled postsecondary students to thrive on our campuses. Government officials must bring the murderer of Kirl to justice for his actions. However, we cannot allow Kirk to become a Martyr for MAGA, allowing the nation, and some of its people, to nullify disabled students’ rights in the interest of destroying diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
George Fuller, Ed.D.
CEO/President, Daniel Jonathan Fuller Memorial Fund