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by Leroy F. Moore Jr.
This is an incredible book!!!!! I found this book on
Christmas eve 2003 over the internet. BLACK and DEAF
in AMERICA: Are We that Different was first published
in 1984 by TJ Publishing Inc. What a Christmas
gift! As a Black disabled researcher and writer on
race and disability, I knew I needed to read this
book. What history and talents we have as Black
disabled people. BLACK and DEAF in AMERICA: Are We
That Different was written by two extraordinary Black
deaf leaders, advocates, professionals, artists and
educators: Ernest E. Hairston and Linwood Smith. I
can go on and on about the authors and their work.
Being a poet I was interested in finding more writings
by Mr. Smith. He was a poet. Black & Deaf in
America end with his poem entitled: The Way of A
Hand. After doing some research I found out he is the
author of Silence, Love and Kids I Know, a book of
poems about children he taught published in 1979. I'm
pulling my hair out trying to locate this book. If
anybody knows how, please drop me an email! In the
Memoriam at the end of the book by Ernest E. Hairston
to Linwood Smith who passed away on November 14, 1982,
made me feel like I knew Mr. Smith and shared his
dedication to Black disabled people and his love for
the arts, writing reading and children. This Memoriam
was written not from a pen by from the heart and I
felt every word.
I've to admit that I was a little bit jealous after I
read the last page of this book because this is the
kind of book that I talk about writing on Black
Disabled People in America. BLACK and DEAF in
AMERICA. has everything that I've dreamt about in a
book. Mixture of historical facts, which you won't
learn in American history or Black History, classes,
pictures of Black deaf people showing them in their
daily lives and a poem etc. Do you know the name of
the first Black deaf student to graduate from
Gallaudet College in Washington, DC? Most historians
will know about the famous protest at Gallaudet for a
deaf president but BLACK and DEAF in AMERICA lets the
cat out of the bag in writing about the long history
of not accepting Black deaf students. This book is
not afraid to put race in the reader's face with
chapter titles like Rehabilitation and the Black Deaf
Person and Black Signs etc.. What makes this book so
great is the mixture of historical facts like the
growth of Black Deaf Social Clubs i.e. The Washington
Silent Society that was established after WWII and
continue through the early 1950's because Black deaf
people were barred from joining and participating the
large white association.
The black and white pictures
that are sprinkled throughout the book points out racial
segregation in schools to the pride of Black deaf
people at the first Black Deaf Conference held at
Howard University on June 25-26, 1981 where I think
this book was birthed. It also has pictures of Black
Deaf youths that I just want to hang on my wall.
BLACK and DEAF in AMERICA can be held up next to the
almighty Reflection: Views of black disabled people on
their lives and community care published in the UK
1994. The only book at the time that talks truthfully
how race touches Black disabled people and it is also
written for and by the people.
Another reason why I
adore BLACK and DEAF in AMERICA. is because its in
the voice of advocates, the people who live the
experience and a seed in the community compared to the
recent push of the ivory walls or the medical system
speaking for the Black community. Have you heard of
Black Sign? Yes, this book trails the birth and death
of Black sign or what the author writes, "a Black way
of signing used by Black deaf people in their own
cultural milieu." Just like Black deaf social clubs
came to exist, Black sign blossomed because of the
same reason, societal attitudes and discriminating
policies.
BLACK and DEAF in AMERICA.. hits on reality in
today society facing Black deaf people. For example,
a lack of rehabilitation services that reach the Black
deaf community. One shocking quote both authors come
back to at the end of the book is "Hundreds of Black
deaf children have never had the opportunity to talk
with or met Black deaf adults during their informative
years." They say this case of a lack of visible role
models could and has drastic affect on a sense of
pride, self-esteem and strive to go on with their
dreams and goals in their lives. As a Black physically
disabled young man I can say I agree but very little
has change in this arena. When was the last time you
saw a Black disabled man or woman on television or in
the newspaper. Even during Black History Month we
are almost invisible! The Authors continues to hit it
on the nail.
The second to last section of the book continues to
share the pages with Black deaf artists, educators,
advocates, parents and trailblazers with interviews
and their pictures. Many became deaf later in life
and some were born deaf but all have beautiful stories
to tell. From the Father of Black deaf history as
many have called him, Dr. Andrew Foster, I found out
from this wonderful book, that he founded the
Christian Mission for Deaf Africans in 1956 and
traveled to West Africa to begin his missionary work
with the deaf etc. To Mary Cheese on page 63, who is a
mother in New York and President of the Imperials Club
for the Deaf and also serves as a "Mother Superior" to
many Black deaf youth and adults. Now that is what I
call diversity and breaking up the ivory walls to keep
it in the community.
The last chapter, Are We Really Different?, serves up
a plate of thoughts to chew on race, class,
unfavorable self-image etc. among Black deaf people
and how it plays out in their lives. On the last two
pages the authors are still firing raw questions that
keeps under theme of this book in your brain. They
asked a Black deaf teen how does being Black and hard
of hearing affect you socially, emotionally, or
otherwise. And her answer brings the theme of the
book to the surface once again and that is? "Doesn't
affect me at all no change. But if you ask me about
being Black, I can tell you ' cause I know we live in
a racist world." So therefore what is the answer to
the question, are we different? My answer is no there
is any difference except for our attitudes on race.
This book, BlACK and DEAF in AMERICA:: Are We that
Different is way overdue!! It records the separate
struggles, history, racial discrimination that Black
deaf people faced and how they continue to displayed
their talents, beauty, activism and art in this harsh
racist society we live by making windows to see
improvements for our youth. This book should be in
Black studies, mention during Black History Month and
on every selves of disabled, youth and people of color
non-profit organizations. I recommend it to all
advocates, Black families, teachers, social workers,
professors and others. A GREAT & REAL BOOK!
I like to thank T.J. PUBLISHERS, INC. for giving
this opportunity to read and write a review on this
amazing book. And thanks to the authors for taking
this bold step and telling it like it is!.
Leroy F. Moore Jr.
Black Disabled Revolutionary Poet\Activist
Sfdamo@Yahoo.com
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