San Francisco ADA 20th Anniversary Dr. Paul Longmore

Transcript of Paul Longmore Speech
SF ADA Anniversary Celebration July 26, 2010

Ref: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2O6wQoIFz2Q

Jessie Lorenz (of ILRCSF): Thank you so much Paul. We've got a lot of folks in our audience . . . (section of clip ends abruptly)

Paul Longmore: First, I want to acknowledge that Neil Marcus' partner in that performance earlier was John Kelly, who came all the way from Boston to be with us.]

So, Jessie asked me to talk about the history of the Disability Rights movement. You want to hear about your history?

(audience - Yeah!)

It's a semester long course, so we're going to be here for a while.

But, I'm going to try to do it in 5 minutes.

I have 3 points.

First of all, we redefined the meaning of disability. That's what the disability rights movement has accomplished.

The Americans with Disabilities Act was one piece of that re-definition. In fact, there was a quarter century of legislation at not only the federal but also the state level, redefining what disability is. What the situation and status of people with disabilities is and how to address the issues of people with disabilities. And here's what the re-definition did.

Previously, disability was defined, as a set of limitations in the ability of people with disabilities to function in society because of some kind of pathology in us.

The disability rights movement redefined disability as a problem located mainly out there in society, not just in our bodies and minds, but in society.

(Applause / Shouts)

Therefore, the solution was not so much to fix individuals, but to repair society.

So that was the first thing we accomplished, that's my first point, the disability rights movement has redefined the meaning of disability.

Secondly, subsequent to the ADA, we have been involved in its implementation. What that means is, we have been using the ADA and these other laws and policies, to build for ourselves an infrastructure of freedom and self-determination. That's what access is all about; that's what all the policies promoting employment are about, that's what anti-discrimination protections are about; that's what our movement is about, in terms of building our culture, our sense of pride, individually and collectively.

We are building an infrastructure of freedom and self-determination, not just individually, but collectively. And it's obvious that that task has involved not only the enforcement of laws like ADA, the implementation of those policies, but also its involved and continues to involve, resistance against the forces that would nullify the impact and the intent of the ADA.

And sometimes that means the courts that have misinterpreted it, so we had to get another law passed to redefine what the Congress intended. And we're having to fight things like budget cuts, such as Governor Schwarzenegger's unconscionable war on people with disabilities.

(Audience applause)

I sometimes think Eunice Shriver must be turning over in her grave.

So that's the second point. We've continued our struggle to build the infrastructure of self-determination and freedom.

Now here's the 3rd point. We are the ones who did this. This wasn't handed to us. This wasn't an act of charity. This was not something done paternalistically. We made it happen. We did it.

(Applause and Shouts)

Now I'm very glad that the state legislature has sought to recognize our leader Ed Roberts with a Day of Significance. But here's something to keep in mind. That designated day, is not just about Ed, as much as we honor him as much as we valued his leadership, this movement was not created by one person. Great leaders do not create great movements. Great movements give rise to great leaders.

(Applause and Shouts)

So, when we honor Ed Roberts, we're honoring all of us. Because no movement can exist without, in this case, *millions* of ordinary men and women asserting themselves to demand dignity and their rights. So that's what our movement is all about. That's our past, that's our present, that's our future.

Jessie has said we're here to celebrate. We're here to celebrate what we've accomplished; we're here to celebrate what we're going to accomplish.
The banners say Culture, History, Future. We're here to celebrate all of those things. All of the things that *we* have done together.

So, let's continue to celebrate.

(Applause)

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

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[1xicano]

My old professor Dr. Longmore---I will miss you! I enjoyed listening to your lectures and the way you made me laugh with that witty humor of yours, but most of all I will always remember the time I got talk to you while we walked in park merced. Be in peace and we shall meet again.

[kungpowvoodo]

“Great leaders do not create great movements. Great movements give rise to great leaders. . . No movement can exist without in this case millions of ordinary men and women asserting themselves to demand dignity and their rights. So that’s what our movement is all about. That’s our past. That’s our present. That’s our future.”

[uppitycrip]

horrid loss but *I* was wondering where John Kelly was, because he wasn't at the ADA celebration right around the corner from his house. Miss you Paul.

[primerib613]

A legend has left us. Rest in peace, Paul.