www.accesspress.org History Note
Inside ■ Campus Activism—p. 3 ■ Charlie Award Winners—p. 8 ■ New Business Solutions—p. 9
“Nowhere is wisdom more necessary than in the guidance of charitable impulses. Meaning well is only half our duty: Thinking right is the other and equally important half.” — Samuel Gridley Howe
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Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Mpls. MN Permit No. 4766
Volume 18, Number 11
Minnesota’s Disability
Community Newspaper
November 10, 2007
Picture Perfect Perspective Polish student wins European Union’s photo competition BRUSSELS—A photography student from Poland has been selected from more than 600 students from across the European Union (EU) as the winner of the EU’s “Breaking Stereotypes” photo competition. Krzysztof Goluch, from the renowned Czech Institute of Creative Photography of the Silesian University in Opava, Czech Republic, impressed judges with his depiction of an ageing man in a wheelchair facing a flight of stairs, a thought-provoking metaphor for the many barriers and forms of discrimination facing people in their daily lives. An exhibition of the best photos is now touring Europe. The European Photo Competition for Diversity was launched in March 2007, under the five-year “For Diver-
sity. Against Discrimination” information campaign, and as part of the 2007 European Year of Equal Opportunities for All. The aim of the contest was to create awareness amongst students about how diversity can enrich society. It was also a chance for the EU to listen to what the students themselves think and to see how discrimination is viewed from their perspective. An international jury of photographers, professors and anti-discrimination experts chose the prize winners. Explaining their selection, the jury commented: “At first glance the winning photograph evokes a sense of deep solitude and helplessness. It is this rawness and emptiness that This photo by Krzysztof Goluch, from the Czech Institute of Creative Photography of the Silesian University in Opava, won first place in the European Union's “Breaking Stereotypes” 2007 photo competition. draws the viewer to the image. Depicting facets of discrimi- ability, gives the photograph a and emotional level. It pro- those who look at it to speak crimination.” [Source: www. nation, such as age and dis- lasting impact on both a visual motes reflection, encouraging out and stand up against dis- stop-discrimination.info]. ■
To Change The Future, Remember The Past DHS photo exhibit of state hospital history leaves key parts of the story untold by Luther Granquist and Anita Schermer
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n October 15, 2007, the Minnesota Department of Human Services celebrated the history of state hospitals and nursing homes by presenting an exhibit of photographs, videos and documents with the theme “Honor the Past, Embrace the Present, Create the Future.” While many of the historical artifacts on display were interesting, what was not shown to the public may hold greater significance when trying to understand this long and frequently shameful chapter of Minnesota history.
This restraint chair was still in use at Brainerd State Hospital in 1980.
Photographs of the institutions stood out because of the sheer magnitude of the buildings. Aerial images captured the vast size of these buildings, with Fergus Falls State Hospital forming an arc about one-third of a mile long and Moose Lake
State Hospital stretching out almost as big. However, few pictures of the men and women who actually lived in these imposing structures were on display.
In addition, the Department exhibited a 1967 article about the American Psychiatric Association awarding the Medical Services Division of the Minnesota Department of Public Welfare for the Division’s attack on dehumanization. Dr. David Vail, the Medical Director of the Department, and Miriam Karlins, head of volunteer services at DPW for many years, spearheaded this effort. During his tenure as medical director Vail was a staunch advocate for patient’s rights. The Department appropriately honored these actions and the men and women who worked in the institutions. But we should also remember the men and women, boys and girls and even toddlers who grew up and lived in these institutions.
would have included heartrending scenes of children from Faribault State Hospital in the mid-1960s. To Bridge the Gap, a film by Jerry Walsh of the Association for Retarded Children, shows the “saddest scene” he had ever observed in a state institution, a little girl crouched in the corner of a large dayroom. “For the lack of human warmth, she’s huddled up against the cold brick wall, and this is the only comfort she gets so often day in and day out.”
The documents on display included Governor Luther Youngdahl’s statement at a burning of restraints which took place at Anoka State Hospital on October 31, 1949. He said: “As little as eighteen months ago all but one of our mental hospitals used mechanical restraints. Today Both To Bridge the Gap and most are restraint free. The Changes, a film made five bonfire which I am lighting years later by Professor Travis tonight consists of 359 straitThompson from the Univerjackets, 196 cuffs, 91 straps, sity of Minnesota, show what and 25 canvas mittens.” Newslife was like in the Dakota paper clippings of that era told Building at Faribault. Walsh about how Moose Lake State called it “herd care.” ThompHospital received national recson, who was asked by the ognition for ending the use of A complete view of the past Remember - cont. on p. 14 restraints.