Black Disability Politics

Black Disability Politics by Sami Schalk explores how disability has been central to Black activism since the 1970s, highlighting the need to ground public health initiatives in the experience and expertise of marginalized disabled people. It demonstrates that Black disability politics is essential to the future of Black liberation movements.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 31 October 2022
Publisher: Duke University Press

Black Disability Politics: Exploring the Intersection of Race and Disability
Sami Schalk's book, "Black Disability Politics," delves into the historical and contemporary significance of disability in Black activism. Schalk highlights how Black people have long been involved in disability as a political issue deeply intertwined with race and racism. However, her work has not been fully recognized as part of the legacy of disability justice and liberation due to its distinct language and approach from the mainstream white-dominated disability rights movement.
Schalk draws on the archives of the Black Panther Party and the National Black Women's Health Project, as well as interviews with contemporary Black disabled cultural workers, to identify common qualities of Black disability politics. These qualities include the need to ground public health initiatives in the experiences and expertise of marginalized disabled people, so that they can work in antiracist, feminist, and anti-ableist ways. Schalk also emphasizes the importance of prioritizing an understanding of disability within the context of white supremacy, demonstrating that the work of Black disability politics is essential to the future of Black liberation movements.
One of the key themes in Schalk's book is the impact of disability on Black communities. She argues that disability is not just a personal issue but also a structural one that affects the entire community. Black people with disabilities face significant barriers to education, employment, and healthcare, and are often subjected to discrimination and violence. Schalk highlights the ways in which disability has been used as a tool of oppression and control by the state and other institutions, and how Black disabled people have resisted and challenged these practices.
Schalk also explores the ways in which Black disabled people have organized and mobilized to address their issues. She highlights the importance of community-based organizations and the role that they play in providing support, advocacy, and education to Black disabled people. She also discusses the challenges that Black disabled people face in accessing these organizations and the need for greater funding and resources.
Schalk's book also provides a critical analysis of the mainstream white-dominated disability rights movement. She argues that the movement has often failed to address the specific needs and experiences of Black disabled people, and has instead focused on promoting a universalist approach to disability rights. Schalk highlights the ways in which this approach has been harmful to Black disabled people, and has led to the perpetuation of discrimination and inequality.
In conclusion, Sami Schalk's book, "Black Disability Politics," is a vital contribution to the field of disability studies. Schalk's work highlights the historical and contemporary significance of disability in Black activism, and provides a critical analysis of the mainstream white-dominated disability rights movement. She argues that Black disability politics is essential to the future of Black liberation movements, and that it requires a greater understanding of disability within the context of white supremacy. Schalk's book is a must-read for anyone interested in disability justice and liberation.

Weight: 342g
Dimension: 153 x 228 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781478025009