Why Black Disabled History Matters

During Black History Month, we celebrate the lives, stories, and history of Black people in the US and around the world. We’ve all learned the textbook-friendly stories about MLK, Rosa Parks, and Harriet Tubman. But how many people know that Harriet Tubman was disabled? How many people know that Fannie Lou Hammer and Maya Angelou were disabled? Denying disability is denying a fundamental part of the lived experience of these activists. Moreover, 26% of the US population has a disability, that’s 1 in 4 people. There is rarely disabled representation in mainstream media, let alone substantive discussions of disability history in the US. That needs to change, which is why I’m making it my mission this February to highlight disabled black activists. Since we are in Talbot County, I will focus on Harriet Tubman.

Harriet Tubman had epilepsy since she was 12, caused when a two-pound weight was thrown at her and hit her in the head. I didn’t know this until I became involved in disability history and disability justice when I was in college. But why did I have to wait until my 20s to learn about Harriet Tubman’s disability? As many Black authors have pointed out, “[disability] an important factor that is often downplayed or gets erased in the retelling of their stories, if/when their stories get told at all,” [1] Disability is part of someone’s lived experience. You cannot separate disability from someone, as many do, without harming the integrity and impact of their story. As Heather Watkins suggests, “I imagine how it might’ve beneficially impacted my budding adolescent self-awareness knowing disability was part of their lived experience”.[2]

It is time for America to come to terms with disability. The continual denial of the existence of Black disabled Americans throughout history only causes more injury. There is no one more eloquent on the matter of Black disabled history than Vilissa Thompson, so I will leave you with her words:

“We as Black disabled people have always been here. We have steadfastly proclaimed our rights and humanity to the communities that chronically overlook us, and yet we still rise to do the work needed to free us all. Black disability history matters because without us putting our voices and very bodies on the line, the political and societal strides many of us take for granted would not have occurred. Our communities are forever indebted to the achievements made and the fights won by past and present Black disabled figures. … ‘Black disability history is part of Black history which is American history.’”[3]

[1] Heather Watkins: https://rewirenewsgroup.com/article/2018/03/16/overlooked-history-black-disabled-people/

[2] Ibid.

[3]Vilissa Thompson: https://rewirenewsgroup.com/article/2018/03/16/overlooked-history-black-disabled-people/