UGLY LAWS

Between 1867 and 1974, various cities of the United States had unsightly beggar ordinances, in retrospect also dubbed ugly laws. 

For instance, in San Francisco a law of 1867 deemed it illegal for "any person, who is diseased, maimed, mutilated or deformed in any way, so as to be an unsightly or disgusting object, to expose himself or herself to public view." 

Exceptions to public exposure were acceptable only if the people were subjects of demonstration, (They put us on display.) to illustrate the separation of disabled from nondisabled and their need for reformation.  Source: Wikipedia 

I found out about the ugly laws on Instagram. I was shocked. Surely the person who posted about the ugly laws was misinformed. I googled. I felt sick to my stomach. It was true. Ugly laws had existed in some cities in the U.S. until 1974. 

I want you to imagine being forced to stay in your house, being fined, jailed, or sent to a workhouse because the sight of you made people uncomfortable. People called you disgusting. 

These laws were not repealed until 1974.

The ramifications of these laws speak volumes.  The ripple effects of these laws are still being felt today.

In the '80s United Cerebral Palsy would not hire me because I'd make parents "feel uncomfortable."

Is it really so difficult to understand why so many of us feel inferior?

Is it really so difficult to understand why those of us with disabilities fight so hard to be listened to? 

Is it really so difficult to understand why we continue to fight so hard to be heard?

Ugly Laws.

Google it.

Think about it.