Honoring Black Excellence: Celebrating the Contributions of Black Authors with Various Disabilities
As February unfolds, so does the annual celebration of Black History Month, a time to commemorate the achievements of Black people who have triumphed against adversity, including authors with disabilities. In this blog, we focus on honoring Black excellence by highlighting the achievements of several Black authors with disabilities who have thrived in the face of adversity, and who have defied the odds to shape their generations through their literary works.
James Weldon Johnson
A known figure in African American literature, James Weldon Johnson was not only a creative writer but also an activist and diplomat. Born in 1871, Johnson lost his sight in childhood, yet he became one of the leading figures of the Harlem Renaissance. Over time, Johnson rose to become one of the most influential member in the NAACP, and became fully involved in civil rights activism, especially the campaign to pass the federal Dyer Anti-Lynching Bill. His most known work, "The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man," explores themes of race, identity, and social injustice.
Haben Girma
Haben Girma is an advocate for disability rights and the first Deafblind graduate of Harvard Law School. Born in Eritrea and raised in the United States, Girma has become an important figure through her writing as she challenges perceptions of disability and emphasizes the importance of accessibility and inclusion. Her memoir, "Haben: The Deafblind Woman Who Conquered Harvard Law," shares her journey from isolation to the public stage and offers insights into navigating the world as a person who is Deafblind.
Glenn Anderson
Anderson is an educator, poet, and author whose work transcends linguistic and cultural barriers. Deaf since birth in Guyana, Anderson's was the first black man who is deaf to earn a doctorate degree. As a scholar of literature and linguistics, he has elaborated on the richness of deaf culture, challenging mainstream perceptions. Through his poetry and prose, Anderson invites readers into a world that celebrates the diversity of the Black deaf experience. His well-known work, "Deaf Peddler: Confessions of an Inside Man," offers a frank reflection on his experiences as a person who is deaf and navigating the complexities of identity and belonging.
Shirley Childress Johnson
Shirley Childress Johnson is an author and advocate who was born deaf. Johnson invites readers of all ages to explore themes of friendship, courage, and self-discovery through her children's books and young adult literature. One of her well-known books is "Trudy's Big Swim: How Gertrude Ederle Swam the English Channel and Took the World by Storm," a captivating children's book that tells the inspiring true story of Gertrude Ederle, the first woman to swim across the English Channel.
Octavia E. Butler
Butler was a science fiction author and a multiple recipient of the Hugo and Nebula Awards. She navigated the literary landscape with dyslexia. Her imaginative storytelling and speculative fiction challenged conventional narratives about race, gender, and power. Her award-winning novels, including "Kindred" and the "Parable" series, crossed genre boundaries while exploring social issues.
Harriet McBryde Johnson
Harriet McBryde Johnson was a lawyer, writer and disability rights activist who challenged societal perceptions of disability and highlighted the importance of inclusion and accessibility. Born with a congenital neuromuscular disease, Johnson spent her life advocating for the rights of people with disabilities. Her memoir, "Too Late to Die Young: Nearly True Tales from a Life," provides a humorous account of her experiences growing up with a disability in the South.
Leroy F. Moore Jr.
Moore is a poet, writer, music archivist, and disability rights activist known for his work in the field of disability justice. As a Black man born with cerebral palsy, Moore has to confront issues of race, disability, and social justice in his writing. He co-founded the Krip-Hop Nation, a worldwide association of black artists with disabilities, and has published several collections of poetry and essays, including "The Black Kripple Delivers Poetry & Lyrics." Moore's work highlights the intersectional experiences of disability and race.
Black authors with disabilities used the power of storytelling to challenge assumptions and drive social change. Through their works, they offer readers new perspectives on race, disability, and the human experience, making all of us to strive for a more inclusive and equitable world.
