Black Deaf Lives Matter
Written by Jodi Becker Kinner
2020
Robert G. Sanderson @ Gallaudet University Archive
In the light of the Black Lives Matter movement around the world, I, as a community historian, have always viewed Robert G. Sanderson as equivalent to Martin Luther King, Jr., while W. David Mortensen is comparable to Malcolm X. Let me explain why. Sanderson and Mortensen were the most noticeable leaders of the Utah Deaf community, similar to King and Malcolm X in the Black community. Yet, their characters and leadership styles were very different. Sanderson was a peaceful, diplomatic, and a powerful advocate for deaf causes. Mortensen, on the other hand, was an ambitious and persistent leader for deaf purposes. He is probably best known as a political activist. While Sanderson, as a bridge-builder like King, was involved in numerous capacities, he listened and was willing to be helpful and educated others about deaf issues. Mortensen, a courageous and fearless leader like Malcolm X, was not afraid to speak up to promote civil and accessibility rights for the local Deaf community. Their types of leadership worked together well to fulfill the needs of the local Deaf community. Like King and Malcolm X to the Black community, Sanderson and Mortensen carry the legacy of their tireless advocacy on behalf of the Utah Deaf community. My hat off to all of them!
W. David Mortensen
Dr. Robert G. Sanderson. UAD Bulletin, Winter 1965
Out of respect for the Black Deaf community, I do not wish to spotlight our local prominent Deaf leader, Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, but acknowledge that he, as the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) president from 1964-68, allowed Black Deaf individuals to become members as well as to vote in 1965.
Since the founding of the NAD, an advocacy organization for the rights of Deaf people, in 1880, Black membership was prohibited until 1965, a year after the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Black Deaf people, unfortunately, were also prohibited from joining other Deaf organizations and clubs.
As a delegate representing the Utah Association of the Deaf at the 2012 NAD Conference, I witnessed the heartwarming moment when the NAD recognized and formally apologized to the Black Deaf members for its past denial of equal rights on the basis of race.
In the wake of George Floyd's death and Black Lives Matter protests, Black Community has been hurting and is still hurting because of systematic racial injustice. Now is our opportunity to listen, learn, and grow.
Dr. Laurene Simms @ Gallaudet.edu
In the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement, I've learned a bit more about Dr. Laurene Simms, a well-respected Black Deaf professor at Gallaudet University and social justice advocate. Shortly before Jean Massieu School of the Deaf (JMS) was formed in 1999, Dr. Simms, a nationally recognized authority on ASL/English bilingual education, played an important role in providing bilingual training to the first group of teachers and aids. See the photo of her giving a presentation at the workshop. Please respond if you were one of the participants and tell us the story if you can.
In 2018, the Indiana School for the Deaf named its elementary building after Dr. Simms in honor of one of its best-known and most accomplished alumnae. That being said, JMS's first teachers and aids are fortunate to participate in Dr. Simms' training and it has become part of the JMS's history!
In 2018, the Indiana School for the Deaf named its elementary building after Dr. Simms in honor of one of its best-known and most accomplished alumnae. That being said, JMS's first teachers and aids are fortunate to participate in Dr. Simms' training and it has become part of the JMS's history!
Dr. Laurene Simms giving a presentation to JMS' first teachers and aids. It was part of their inservice before doors opened in 1999
I was in awe reading an article entitled, "Black Deaf Culture Through the Lens of Black Deaf History" and want to share it with you. It covers a wealth of information about Black Deaf History and its culture, biographies, arts, entertainment, and much more. I wish to use this article as a platform to amplify the voices of the Black Deaf people. Enjoy!