It’s Black History Month here in the UK, and while at dubble we’re working towards the recognition of Black disabled people and their achievements year round, this is a great time to focus our efforts. The first step in effective allyship and anti-racism for non-Black people is to educate ourselves! Here are five Black disability advocates to follow, listen to, and learn from on Instagram.
1. Clara Holmes
Clara Holmes’ posts are a reminder that fashion doesn’t have to be white and non-disabled. Holmes advocates for self love and confidence through her modelling and motivating captions.
ID: First photo: Clara, wearing activewear, posing on her wheelchair on a street in Notting Hill, looking at the camera. Second, third, fourth photo: Clara from the same photo shoot, at different angles, smiling.
2. Imani Barbarin
Imani’s instagram reels are full of eye-opening messages for disabled and non-disabled people alike. Barbarin’s content explores racism and ableism, helping us learn about both in an engaging (and usually hilarious) way.
ID: TikTok of Imani speaking to the camera, saying ‘Disabled people, you have to start realising you’re the star of this story. Why else would the ableds be using you for clout? You’re the clout, baby.’
3. Vilissa Thompson
Vilissa Thompson is the founder of Ramp Your Voice! – ‘a self-advocacy and empowerment movement for people with disabilities.’ Her content on instagram is insightful and informative, centred on intersectionality and disability rights.
ID: A screenshot of a Teen Vogue article that reads ‘Black Girls With Disabilities Are Disproportionately Criminalized: This op-ed talks about how Black girls are targeted at school because of their disabilities, along with their race and gender. By Rep. Ayanna Presley, Dr. Subini Ancy Annamma, and Vilissa Thompson.’
4. Keah Maria
Keah is the creator of the hashtag #DisabledAndCute, used to show we don’t have to be one or the other. ‘We are more than inspiration porn and people to pity,’ she told Cosmopolitan in 2017. The hashtag is worth a follow, as well as Maria’s account, where she posts about her activism and daily life.
ID: Keah Maria, seated at a table and smiling.
5. Devin Manning
Devin’s activism work focuses on disability – particularly the representation and validation of disabled people, while they also explore the day-to-day realities of being chronically ill. In a world where we lack visibility, it is comforting to see that we are not alone, and that it’s okay to be ill.
ID: First photo is of Devin, posing on a stairwell holding their cane, looking at the camera. Second photo: A graphic reading ‘#paintudes. pain awareness month. attitudes around pain.’ Third photo: Devin, on the same stairwell, shot through the railings, looking at the camera.
Check out our Anti-Racism resources page and continue your participation in BHM here.
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![Disabled is not a bad word.
For many of us, person-first language or euphemisms like 'differently-abled' feel like an attempt to separate us from our disabilities and reinforce the stigma that disability is something to be ashamed of.
Many disabled people do not see their disabilities as 'bad' at all, and it's important to question why so much of society seems to think otherwise!
Saying that, it's also important to remember that everyone has the right to identify using whatever words they choose, so it's good to still ask people what they prefer ☺️
Illustration by @emilysmmns 💜
[ID: Text reads: 'Disabled is not a bad word.' The quote is illustrated in white bubble lettering on a purple background, surrounded by darker purple squiggly lines. The dubble logo is at the bottom.]](https://www.thedubble.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)
4 Comments
Luis
10/10/2020 at 8:44 pmGreat recommendations!!
Wardah Thanvi
11/10/2020 at 9:08 pmThanks Luis!
Emilia
11/10/2020 at 8:45 pmGreat stuff, thanks so much! Will check them out.
Wardah Thanvi
11/10/2020 at 9:07 pmThank you Em!