Movie Stars and Sensuous Scars

About the Book

"Steve Brown takes us on a profound journey of his many steps, the many turnings of the wheels that have borne him through his life to the present moment. His shock, his anger, his bitterness, and, ultimately, his courage in the face of adversity, not only educate but remind us of his fine humanity as well as our own. His advocacy doesn't preach but teaches. With words describing his life and the lives of those close to him, he opens a wide door through which any who can read or care to grow can pass." -Mark Medoff, Author of "Children of a Lesser God" "Disability culture is at the heart and soul of the disability movement, and in Steve Brown's writings we see that culture shining in all its glory. " -Mary Johnson, Editor, Ragged Edge magazine "Movie Stars and Sensuous Scars" is a powerful book. I strongly relate to Steve's writing and ideas. The writing is clear and flows well. The ideas are beautifully radical. He gives true insight into disability and people with disabilities. His is a voice demanding to be heard." -David Pfeiffer, Disability Studies Quarterly editor

About the Author

Historian Steven E. Brown is Co-Founder, Institute on Disability Culture and retired Professor of Disability Studies, Center on Disability Studies, University of Hawaii (currently Affiliate Faculty). He also served as a 2015 Diversity and Inclusion Fellow for the Association of University Centers on Excellence in Disabilities (AUCD) Diversity and Inclusion Toolkit Initiative. Brown earned a 1981 PhD in history at the University of Oklahoma. Brown encountered disability-based employment discrimination based shortly after earning his doctorate, which led to changing his career path. In the 1980s, Brown worked at and directed an independent living center in Oklahoma, organized numerous community advocacy coalitions, and represented regional Independent Living Centers in legislative education about the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. In 1990, Brown moved to California to become Training Director at the World Institute on Disability (WID). In 1993, Brown received the first federal funding to research disability culture, which resulted in the monograph, Investigating A Culture of Disability: Final Report. After relocating to New Mexico, with his wife and partner Lillian Gonzales Brown, in 1994, they co-founded the non-profit Institute on Disability Culture. In 2002, they moved to Hawai‘i, where Brown joined the Center on Disability Studies (CDS). Brown has published many articles about disability rights and is a national and international speaker. His books include Movie Stars and Sensuous Scars: Essays on the Journey from Disability Shame to Disability Pride (2003); Surprised to be Standing: A Spiritual Journey (2011); and Ed Roberts: Wheelchair Genius (2015), a Middle Grade biography of the late 20th century disability rights pioneer. He is also a co-editor of the anthology, Rethinking Disability: World Perspectives in Culture and Society (2016). Brown relocated to the California Bay Area in summer 2014, after retiring from CDS. He he continues to write, advocate, speak, and teach (including via the University of Hawaii, an online course he created, which he has taught at both the undergraduate and graduate levels--and as far as he knows--is unique, called, “Disability History and Culture: From Homer to Hip Hop.” Brown’s work remains driven by the Institute on Disability Culture mission/vision: “Promoting pride in the history, activities, and cultural identity of individuals with disabilities throughout the world.” Brown blogs at http://www.instituteondisabilityculture.org/manifesto and is on Twitter @disculture.