Throughout my time as a disability advocate, I've delved deeply into understanding the disability community, grappling with the concept of ableism and its impact, and fighting for disability rights. I cherish the knowledge I've acquired and the opportunity to enlighten others because raising awareness is one of the most important steps in making effective change.
However, I must acknowledge that my advocacy journey has been challenging. The ableism I encounter can be overwhelming, but what truly weighs on me is the occasional lack of support from within the disability community itself, often due to my identity as a Black woman. While it's true that discrimination and oppression are prevalent within the disability community, instances of racism further compound the disconnect experienced by many disabled people of color.
My activism is through social media, recognizing its broad reach and effectiveness in fostering dialogue on disability issues. Over time, I've observed unwarranted attacks from some non-Black disabled individuals. Initially, I brushed them off, but as they persisted, my mental health started to suffer. It felt as though no matter how careful I crafted my posts, how inclusive I strived to be, or even if I altered my advocacy approach, it was never enough for them. I found myself under constant criticism, often without constructive feedback.
In my quest to understand this disparity, I noticed that non-Black disabled advocates who shared similar content rarely faced the same level of hostility that I did. If they did encounter criticism, it was typically from able-bodied individuals perpetuating ableism. I couldn't understand the difference in our approaches until I witnessed a Black disabled advocate undergo similar attacks that I did. She spoke on the lack of inclusivity within the disability community and the affects of that. She articulated the unique challenges faced by Black disabled individuals, highlighting the lack of support and representation. While her perspective was met with disagreements and attacks, it also helped other voices from disabled people of color to share their own struggles with connecting with the disability community. This revelation affirmed that my experiences weren't a result of inadequacy but rather a consequence of my identity.