I do not have the details of the case (I only know what Michael Perelman wrote), but it seems to me that this case of a teacher fired for not having clear fingerprints illustrates how disability is socially constructed, as you noted. The teacher's lack of fingerprints didn't at all interfere with teaching, so if it were not for the law that made it mandatory for teachers to be fingerprinted (in society's zeal to track child molesters with criminal records), this particular 'disability' didn't have to exist!
Yoshie
>I find it interesting that NO one has commented on the fact that the
>individual was fired by the school board for having no fingertips got
>directed into a discussion about child molesters. I recieved this today,
>and think it may be applicable to this list. Correct me if I am wrong.
>>
>> as a church woman (I'm an Episcopal priest), I have made it my business over
>> the last couple of years to write and write and write to people who publish
>> lists of "the evils of the world to be righted" and include EVERYthing in
>> their laundry lists but disability. it happens constantly. one of the best
>> known Black ethicists and activists, well published, seminary prof, needed 3
>> or 4 major papers from a disabled seminarian before he "got it" that
>> disability is a justice issue!!!!!! in other words, we're even overlooked,
>> discounted, oppressed, by those who are carrying the banners to end all
>> oppression!
>>
>Is not the school teacher being OPPRESSED by having no fingertips?
>
>Marta Russell
>Los Angeles