Black History: Special Delivery!!
Disability rights advocate, Johnnie Lacy overcame both racial and disability-based discrimination to become a leader in the independent living movement. Born in 1937 in Huttig, Arkansas, Johnnie Lacy grew up in a segregated society. At 19, while attending Prairie View A&M University, she contracted polio, leaving her paralyzed and reliant on a wheelchair. Despite doctors’ discouragement, Lacy was determined to continue her education.
She eventually moved to California and earned a degree in speech therapy from San Francisco State University, defying prejudices that underestimated her abilities. Though she did not work in speech therapy, her education empowered her to become a strong advocate for disability rights. In the early 1970s, Lacy became active in the Center for Independent Living (CIL) in Berkeley, a pioneering organization co-founded by disability rights leader Ed Roberts. She worked alongside other advocates like Judy Heumann, who fought for federal disability protections, and Brad Lomax, who built connections between the Black civil rights and disability rights movements.
Lacy later became the Director of Community Resources for Independent Living (CRIL) in Hayward, California, where she led efforts to expand services for disabled people, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds. She emphasized the importance of recognizing how race and disability intersect and creating inclusive programs to address these unique challenges. Her lived experience highlighted the intersection of racism and ableism, contrasting with those who faced only one form of oppression. Her presence demonstrated how individuals can be both oppressed and privileged in different ways, depending on their identities.
Lacy’s leadership helped promote the passage and enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a historic law protecting the rights of disabled individuals. Beyond her activism, she was also a talented writer, using poetry to express her experiences of resilience and justice. Her work helped reshape societal perceptions of disabled people, breaking down barriers to accessibility and equality. Johnnie Lacy passed away in 2010.
Another installment of melanated mail has been delivered. Ponder, reflect, and pass it on.
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