#jane bernstein

Bereft by Jane Bernstein

Guest Post, Jane Bernstein: The Museum Course

For the students in my museum course, the “collection” period has ended at last. They no longer have to go to farmers’ markets, coffee shops, and church group meetings. They don’t have to pitch the museum to friends or siblings or plaster posters everywhere, like the one I saw on the inside of a bathroom stall, that said, “Have you ever had your heart broken? Do you own an object that won’t let…

Guest Post, Jane Bernstein: Loving Rachel

I’m always buoyed and a little surprised when I get an email from a reader. Of course I write to be read, but even so, this proof that someone I’ve never met has read something of mine and taken the time to respond is always a little stunning. So when I saw the email that said, “Loving Rachel” I opened it eagerly.

There was no greeting. Only this: “I just finished reading your book Loving…

Typewriter Notes - Lovely postcard set featuring cover photo by me!  Jane Bernstein of  Typescale and memake

Postcard set featuring cover photo by me - Jane Bernstein at Typescale

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Charlotte and I settle on our words. Rachel hands me another Sharpie, and I color in the letters. She pulls off a length of duct tape and helps me tape the paper signs onto the cardboard; one of these we attach to her backpack with a kilt pin. The other Charlotte carries.

Half an hour later we’re walking across the Brooklyn Bridge. There’s a swarm of tourists trekking to Manhattan on this brilliant morning. Rachel is like a bowling ball rolling down an alley, oblivious to anyone blocking her path. The sign on her backpack, flapping in the breeze, says, 'Hey 1%ers! I am one of the 4.6 million Americans with intellectual disabilities. I depend on you and your tax dollars ($$$) to have a meaningful life.' She plows through family groups posing on the walkway, while I try to weave my way through the masses. 'Say excuse me!' I call, as she breaks up a couple of girls posing like pinups of yesteryear, chins lowered, bent knees raised. She walks onward with great purpose, ignoring me.

The day is too beautiful, and there is so much to see—the ships in the seaport, the skyscrapers gleaming in the midday sun. No one seems to notice her sign . . .

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—Jane Bernstein, "Rachel Occupies Wall Street"