We must approach Blake's story with a focus on excessive violence by the police as the source of harm, not make Blake's disability the source of harm. Schalk suggests we do this by acknowledging that Blake's physical injuries are not the only harm caused by Officer Sheskey's violence. There were nearly twenty eyewitnesses to the shooting, along with Blake's children and the millions of people who watched online who were exposed to psychological harm and possible psychiatric disability as a result of witnessing Officer Sheskey's violence. 

Schalk's First Tactic and Jacob Blake's  Story

To enact Schalk's second tactic we must acknowledge the multiple oppression that were at play in Blake's shooting, anti-Black racism and classism. Blake's race and class were discussed in news coverage and Op-Ed pieces mainly in reference to his previous encounters with police, his not being married to his children's mother, and other details of his life. There was little to no discussion of how anti-Black racism and classism shaped not only how police responded to Blake but also how the public responded to the shooting. Discussing and naming the impact of anti-Black racism and classism is part of enacting Black disability politics by acknowledging how certain demographic groups are more likely to experience disabling violence.

Schalk's Second Tactic and Jacob Blake's Story

Enacting Schalk's third tactic would mean providing material and social support for Blake, his children, and other witnesses disabled by violence. This could include fundraisers, provision of free medical and mental health care, and pro bono legal support for Blake in his federal civil rights lawsuit against Officer Sheskey. Social support could look like engaging in public vocal support for Blake, his family, the lawsuit, calling for the removal of Office Sheskey, and connecting Blake and his family with other survivors of police violence, or other Black disabled men. Social support is vitally important for newly disabled folks.

Schalk's Third Tactic and Jacob Blake's Story

Some of the comments stem from a message from Blake, posted on his lawyer's Twitter account on September 5 where he mentions being in constant pain. But folks failed to acknowledge in reporting on this post that anyone, regardless of a spinal cord injury, would be in pain thirteen days after being shot seven times in the back. There was a lack of nuance in understanding that the physical pain Blake experiences from neuropathy is not synonymous with paralysis, his spinal cord injury, or disability more generally. 

University of Wisconsin - Madison

Schalk chose this example because, while there are many interesting parts of this case, including discussions around disabling police violence, and how this case was presented by right-wing and mainstream media, Schalk saw multiple news outlets using phrases including "suffering from paralysis" and social media posts framing Blake's injuries as a tragedy and a fate akin to death. 

Why Schalk Decided to Focus on the Example of Jacob Blake

Schalk, Sami. Black Disability Politics, New York, USA: Duke University Press, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1515/9781478027003

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