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Disability Rights Texas (DRTx) celebrates Black History Month and the significant contributions Black Americans have made to the disability rights movement. This year's theme for Black History Month, "Black Resistance," focuses on how "African Americans have resisted historic and ongoing oppression, in all forms."
The Intersection of Civil Rights and Disability Rights
Due to racist and ableist systemic barriers, many Black Americans with disabilities have had to resist multiple forms of oppression simultaneously. The fights for civil rights and disability rights have had common themes, and concepts like access, advocacy, opportunity, and self-determination can be found in both movements.
Black Disability Rights Leaders Past and Present
Black Americans with disabilities have been instrumental in the disability rights movement, from its beginnings in the 1960s to today. You may be familiar with some of those who are more well-known, like Lois Curtis, Claudia Gordon, Anil Lewis, and Brad Lomax.
And, while these individuals and many more have had a significant impact, today's generation of Black disability rights advocates are also making a difference, such as Imani Barbarin, Max Barrows, Haben Girma, and Jimel Wright.
DRTx Commitment to Intersectional Advocacy
Despite the progress that has been made, many Black Texans with disabilities still face oppression in multiple ways. The DRTx Social Justice Task Force focuses on providing legal advocacy in cases where people are experiencing both disability and other civil rights discrimination.
DRTx is here to help you resist oppression, fight for your rights, and advocate for change.
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