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Like (I think) many of you, I have been mesmerized by the sequences of images Kristin has brought into our conversation, and by others that you all have added to the mix. Here are a few more.

The first is the original painting, from which the cover of Nancy Mairs' book was excerpted....opens up many more possibilities for interpretation, yes? Can you see where the "waist" came from? Would you say that the image on the cover of that book "crips on" Botticelli's original image?

The second pairing is of two images that turned up, two years ago, in the Critical Feminist Studies course that Melinda and I did together. Commentary from some of the students follows (inviting, of course, more from you all....)




[From Continuing Our Discussion of Disability....]
Lakshmi's surgery completed successfully
lvasko: what western cultures consider a "disability", another culture could consider a blessing....Lakshmi, aptly named after the hindu godess of prosperity, is being worshiped as a godess in her hometown.....our conversations about Feminist Disability Studies...may not apply to other cultural traditions.
gammyflink: This is not just a matter of appearance....."The complications for Lakshmi’s surgery are myriad: The two spines are merged, she has four kidneys, entangled nerves, two stomach cavities and two chest cavities. She cannot stand up or walk."
jrizzo: I'm not sure I see what is so terrible about favoring normalizing surgeries when the disabled do now typically have a more difficult situation than those who are not. To say nothing of legitimate health issues, having some visible deformity and attracting The Stare....People stare at things that are different. Sometimes gawk. Sometimes it's very impolite, but the unusual does attract attention.
kwheeler08: What is important to take from this article is the idea of the cultural constructedness and the arbitrariness of the definition of the term "disability"....Individuals should not have to change to fit the "mold" of society; instead society should change the mold (or rather get rid of it all together) so as to accept people of difference.