This is for all people who travel life in a wheelchair, and who have other disabilities - seen and unseen. Black people who are disabled endure and resist myriad and competing challenges and often literally have to do battle with "policies" that deliberately block their efforts to secure humane accommodations such as even wheelchair ramps, and placing literature and materials within reach for wheelchair bound folk.
I know of a Black administrator - and I mean Black as a telephone (the kind I have a particular fondness for) - in academia who literally stood in the way of college students having a wheelchair ramp. Only after a battle ensued were provisions made to provide a ramp for her student body.
The oppressor often works through "decision makers" with dust in their eyes and frozen hearts.
Here are a few areas and ways in which rational, loving people are engaging, writing about, thinking about and building bridges for Black disabled community.
Involving Black Disabled in Shaping Services
"This research explores one organisation’s experience of involving black disabled people in developing more appropriate and responsive services."
"By including the actual voices of young black disabled people themselves, this report provides first-hand information for those wishing to understand more fully the complexities that this group faces."
Triple Jeopardy: African American Women With Disabilities
"The "Triple Jeopardy" initiative provided the opportunity to give voice to African American women with developmental disabilities, between the ages of 18 and 60."
"Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 prohibits private employers, state and local governments, employment agencies and labor unions from discriminating against qualified individuals with disabilities in job application procedures, hiring, firing, advancement, compensation, job training, and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment."
The first film to ever feature two Black disabled people. Featuring Vanessa Williams, Fredro Starr, Donovan Jennings, Rodney Henry Jr. and others.
Vanessa Williams on "My Brother"
Mini Documentary
Well. Here's the score. I heard from activist and writer Leroy Moore today to say that the movie "Brother" has at least been pulled from Bay Area movie theatres. Mr. Moore terms the Bay area, "the Mecca of the disabled."
One can plainly see there are tricks up a few cotton sleeves, diverting the ability of specifically Black physically challenged folk from being able to be empowered and feel affirmed.
According to Mr. Moore, the WHITE POWER STRUCTURE (my words) was pushing the writer of the movie, Anthony Lover, to use non disabled people as actors - and then finally, there was this problem of the dedication he had to present a movie about a Black family.
Mainstream cable folk, you'll notice haven't put forth one single advertisements on what many have been anticipating to be an extraordinary film.
Learn more about what's happening with this racist move - which includes corporate refusal to exhibit, refusal to endorse and promote, and refusal to advertise at Leroy Moore's news page at leroymoore.com.
This is an occasion to point out still again, that most racism is not at all so blatant.
You are Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Wonderful!
National Black Deaf Advocates
"Be proud of yourself
whether you can hear some things,
a little bit, or nothing at all."
Here is an inspiring look at artist Frank Salas, who was diagnosed with and has struggled with Muscular Dystrophy for over 20 years. His creations made from discarded pieces of wood, stone, clay in Spanish Harlem, New York are mostly made with a hammer and chisel and his work is exceptional.
(Note, while I love Mr. Santas' work, he infers here that one of his pieces of a man with long hair (i.e. "no haircut") denotes being tired. There is no evidence that long hair has such implications.
Also, he discusses a piece of his in white stone which he says inspired him to create something "angelic," "beautiful" and "free spirited."
The color white is however often perceived this way in great error.
Share this gentleman's work with the people in your world.
Support Mercy Murua and Peter Gichura, Disabled Activists at Risk of Deportation
"Rape by police should be recognised as persecution and so as grounds for asylum, but when Ms Murua spoke about her traumatic experiences, she was accused of embellishing her claim and her case dismissed."
"Mr. Kilgore was an active member of the Santa Fe Villas Tenants Association and the Metropolitan Atlanta Transportation Equity Coalition (MATEC), a coalition of eleven black Atlanta community organizations that filed a complaint charging MARTA with noncompliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)."
Harriet Tubman was disabled with recurring narcoleptic seizures (or sleeping spells), and sever headaches all of her life as a result of being assaulted by a terrorist enslaver.
Black Disability Studies
"The future of Disability Studies," wrote a group of disability scholars in the Modern Language Association last year, "is Black indeed."
Black Disability Studies
Until
Ayisha Knight
Def Poetry
David Paterson, Governor
Disabled Governor of New York, David Paterson, " . . . invokes Paul Robeson, Harriet Tubman, Malcolm X in Remembrance of Jazz Legend Max Roach . . . "
Comparisons of Colonization Between Africans and the deaf
(Her essential complaint: that she is victimized like an African - unable to bring the story full circle . . . )
(Mention which panel you're addressing, and your comment will hyperlink people back here)
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