Writing on the website of the Poynter Institute, Susan LoTempio analyzes the coverage of the disability angle in the David Paterson story. While some media outlets interviewed activists and citizens with disabilities, she says,

There wasn’t much mention … of what New York’s 3.8 million citizens with disabilities are up against, like inaccessible transportation, high unemployment and inadequate education.

And another thing:

In a political profile, the New York Post hinted at how Paterson views his own disability. According to the Post, Paterson told The New York Times in 2006 that “he disparaged efforts to make him a ‘disability’ case. ‘Every single white political consultant that I ever worked with likes to promote my disabilities. And I suspect it’s to mitigate race — to give me, in their eyes, an honorary white status.’”

Let’s take heed of his words, and avoid labeling him either black or disabled. Just governor will do.

LoTempio is assistant managing editor of the Buffalo News.

Earlier posts here and here.

This entry was posted on Monday, March 24th, 2008 at 11:46 am and is filed under NOT2BEMISSED, accessibility, education, employment, media, politics, public attitudes, stereotypes, transportation. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.  Email This Post