“My Body, My Closet: Invisible Disability and the Limits of Coming-Out Discourse” by Ellen Samuels focuses on the similar and different ways non-visibly disabled persons and femme lesbians occupy space within their communities. “‘Oh Say Can You ______’: Race and Mental Disability in Performances of Citizenship” by Jess Waggoner examines the role media plays in constructing public understanding about the relationship between disability, race, and human rights.
In your response, please explain the argument of each author in your own words. Then, please explain (again, in your own words) how each text explains or contributes to intersectionality. At this point, you should have read a number of texts dealing with issues of intersectionality—both from your research as well as to the readings from the reader. What is your current understanding of intersectionality as a term and the role it plays in cultural analysis? Please refer to examples from the readings to help explain your points.