The Disability Movement and the Black Panther Party.

As a young, Black, Disabled woman, my experience in this country has differed from many of my peers. On several occasions, their concave worldview forces them to defend their experience rather than listen. So it’s no surprise most don’t receive it well. And with all of these conversations I’ve grown to understand that this mindset is an American paradigm. Americans have adopted a working system I like to call, “inactive rationale.” In simple terms, it’s insinuating that someone else’s experience is invalid though there is ample evidence to coincide with their experience. I believe we began to see this shift during the creation of the Black Panther Party in 1966. America began revolting expecting Black people to remain in their “lowly places,” which fueled outrage when the BPP began creating change for themselves. But they also created space for other marginalized groups and aided in the rise of another. The Disabled community and the BPP sought out reform, justice, and an America where their lives mattered.

Brad Lomax was the pioneer that brought the Disability movement and the Black Panther party to a beautiful meeting point. As Lomax’s disability progressed he began understanding the context of oppression and it’s looming defeat within both groups. So in 1977, several disability activists organized a sit-in at the San-Francisco federal building that lasted almost a month. The sit-in was more about reform and liability in regards to the Rehabilitation act of 1973. A system that fails the very people it was expected to serve, has become America’s brand so to speak. Brad Lomax being one of the organizers of the 504 sit-ins, enticed the other BPP members to join their efforts.

For a month, the Black Panthers provided hot meals to all who participated in the sit-in. Where Lomax’s two worlds collided, change began to happen. This sit-in would be the catalyst for many to begin debunking the myths and convictions they had about disability. By 1973 the Rehabilitation act (section 504) was passed and granted yet another layer of security for Disabled Americans. Due to the two groups finding solace in their need for civil rights, they found an ally in the process. The Disability Movement and The Black Panther Party left us with wisdom on how to continue the fight against ableism and racism by simply existing.

So I’ll close by saying, much love and respect to Mr. Brad Lomax from a young, Black, Disabled girl, waiting for the moment when Disability and Blackness can coincide without resistance. Then, maybe America wouldn’t need to be reminded that “Black Lives Matter.”