Andrew Tolman
15h
I was CC’d and brought into an email chain that included Mayor Wheeler and our City Commissioners regarding ADA violations by Portland Police. The response was dismissive at best. I responded, and want to share here for transparency. For context, Commissioner Fritz said, quote, “ I don’t know of any ASL interpreters within the PPB, nor any who would be willing to be hired to provide the service in a volatile situation where demonstrators were attacking both police and SE residents.” Below, you can find my response to the thread. If anyone in the Black community or the Deaf community feel I have overstepped, please publically call me in and I am more than willing to learn how to better use my words and platform.
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“I will be frank, because peoples’ lives are on the line and White respectability politics are garbage and oppressive.
Commissioner Fritz is lying. She does know interpreters who are willing but the city refuses to hire them. I know because I personally have offered myself and have worked with Mayor Wheeler and all Commissioners. I know because I personally have been told I can no longer be hired to interpret for the city because of conflict with perceptions. They know damn well I’m on the front lines all the time interpreting directions their officers. They know damn well there’s multiple Deaf people they could ask. This is nothing short of laziness and oppression. You all clearly don’t give a fuck or these fixes would’ve already been done. I’m sure you’ve all heard of the ADA before. Maybe read it once or twice?
It’s also disgusting the Commissioner would speak of violence or actions that she has no knowledge of. Especially to justify her ableism and blatant lack of concern with Disability Justice. I haven’t seen her on the front lines. Ted came for a cute photo op but continues to demonize youth and Portland residents to protect his own power and votes. Come stand with us if you’re going to speak about us. Otherwise, frankly, y’all can shut your mouths.
I have been teargassed and beaten MULTIPLE TIMES while interpreting for Deaf people and while putting my body between officers and Blind people. I interpreted at Occupy ICE PDX when officers committed psychological and physical warfare against us. I was on the streets interpreting stories when Patrick Kimmons was murdered while we listed to his blood get power sprayed off the streets. I have been brutalized. I’ve been attacked by Commissioners and their teams online. Ted loves to tell people I’m his favorite and I have “such strong arms”. Chloe loves to talk about DA rights but continues to be heavily complicit outside of what immediately affects her. I’ve had interactions with EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU. So to say you don’t know how to find resources to make it happen is BULLSHIT. BULLSHIT. BULLSHIT. BULLSHIT.
I loudly speak about it and will continue to do so. How about when your officer said to my face “If you care so much then you should interpret it” just minutes after tear gassing and brutalizing humans. Is that the attitude we should be trusting to take care of and consider people? How about your officers joking about giving us tear gas enemas? Maybe Ted could come get one of those next to try and earn a few more rich White votes? How about when Jo Ann told me she can’t get interpreters for events that she doesn’t throw, and then was involved in and threw multiple events, budget discussions, and other public forums with NO accessibility even after receiving official complaints? How about Ted Wheeler having a campaign manager who’s mother is an ASL Interpreter? But y’all “can’t find anyone”? How about the hours and hours Deaf individuals like Philip Wolfe have spent testifying and emailing and meeting with you all? You CLEARLY don’t give a FUCK about Philip or the Deaf community. Because you have looked him in the face and promised to do better then turned around and shit right on him. You provide accessibility when it looks good for you but not to engage communities on what they need. You will appease a complaint once to save face, but have NEVER ONCE successfully and full-heartedly moved for true systemic change and Disability engagement. It’s obvious in your history. And none of you can hide from it because I’m literally the one that has seen it and dealt with it. You must have assumed an ASL Interpreter is just a tool for you to use. On the contrary, we are fierce warriors for Disability justice and we don’t fuck around. I went from you FAVORITE interpreter, to an agitator in just a matter of months. Ironically, during a global pandemic and international racial justice uprising. Hmm… I wonder if that’s a coincidence? Could it be, perhaps, the fact that I was no longer the cute, close-lipped gay boy for you to tote around? I’ll answer for you - yes. It is.
Any Commissioner or government official who wants to play “that’s not my job” with peoples’ lives should sit the fuck down and leave government (looking at you too, Jo Ann, since you love to forget Black people can be disabled too and hate that it takes a White person to remind you).
This isn’t a game.
Ableism is White Supremacy. And y’all are some GODDAMN WHITE SUPREMACISTS.
With no due respect,
Andrew Tolman
Fingers Crossed Interpreting”
