I’d like to share my story as someone who is hard of hearing, which has played a significant role in shaping my life and experiences. I have mild hearing in my left ear and am completely deaf in my right ear, requiring me to wear hearing aids in both ears to support my hearing needs in various environments. My hearing loss began after I was diagnosed with meningitis as an infant. Despite my parent’s early concerns, my symptoms were initially dismissed by medical professionals until they became severe. I underwent emergency surgery, and doctors warned my parents that my chances of survival were slim, or I might be left with physical and cognitive challenges. Thankfully, I survived, though the meningitis resulted in my hearing loss. This experience marked the beginning of a lifelong journey that shaped my perspective and how I navigate the world. Growing up, my parents steadfastly advocated for my inclusion in educational opportunities, even when schools suggested separating me from regular classrooms or doubted my ability to handle specific subjects like French. They refused to let my abilities be minimized because of my hearing loss. Thanks to their advocacy, I exceeded expectations academically and pursued my interests without limitations. Today, I am a 25-year-old master’s student and artist with many aspirations.
To provide some history, the Black deaf and hard-of-hearing community has always existed as a unique culture. During an era when segregation heavily discriminated against the Black community, it also marginalized Black deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals by denying them admission to Deaf schools. In response, the Black deaf community established their own schools, fostering a rich and distinct culture. For instance, Black American Sign Language (BASL) was developed as a language specifically by and for the Black deaf and hard-of-hearing community, incorporating unique cultural phrases and expressions. Our community is shaped by
the intersection of two powerful experiences: being deaf and being Black. For me, it’s even more nuanced; I navigate life with three intersecting identities as a hard-of-hearing individual, as a Black person, and as a Black woman. These identities each carry their own challenges, and together, they subject me to multiple layers of prejudice. I risk facing the compounded effects of racism, ableism, and sexism.
The harsh reality is that microaggressions, prejudice, and stereotypes against Black women are often amplified by misconceptions about hearing loss. People may misinterpret my inability to hear as a refusal to listen, as an attitude issue, a failure to comprehend or laziness, further reinforcing negative stereotypes about Black women. This misunderstanding creates additional barriers for those already navigating a world filled with biases. This is why it is important to advocate for Black women with disabilities. It is crucial to work toward minimizing these barriers and ensuring that our voices are heard and respected.
As a master’s student, I’ve proven to myself that I can excel, overcoming the barriers academically and as a Black woman. My studies have given me a deep understanding of the complexities within the criminal justice system, as well as the numerous challenges faced by Black individuals, particularly in areas such as mental health, healthcare, housing, gender-based violence, and family life. These insights have strengthened my commitment to using my master’s degree in Criminology and Social Justice to pursue a career as a lawyer. My goal is to assist survivors of gender-based violence and assist Black individuals in conflict with the law, particularly those facing mental health challenges. Beyond this, I am passionate about advocating for Black individuals with unmet mental health and healthcare needs, as well as those struggling with housing instability.
While being hard of hearing has profoundly shaped how I navigate my environment and experience life, I rely heavily on visual cues and lip reading, which has heightened my observational skills and shaped my artistic expression. As an artist, my hearing loss enhances my interpretation of the world, leading me to focus on visual details, social interactions, movements, and expressions. My emotional sensitivity is also more pronounced, which deeply informs my art. Being an artist with hearing loss further inspires my work as I explore themes of communication, perception, and isolation. However, I specifically love being a Black artist who is hard of hearing because I strive to create art that represents the diversity of Black individuals, offering a unique perspective. I also use my art to address broader social justice issues, such as making a piece about advocating for survivors of gender-based violence. In addition, I am committed to ensuring Black and darker-skinned representation in my art, and I use art to share stories about my personal life and culture. I aspire to continue to use my creativity for storytelling, advocacy and raising awareness, and I enjoy creating artworks that spark conversation and curiosity.
In the future, I aspire to establish spaces for artistic expression and build a community where Black artist can share their stories and address social justice issues through art. My ability to discover my artistic talents is something I find powerful as a Black, hard-of-hearing individual. I know that I am a capable woman with immense potential, and I see my hearing loss not as a burden but as a reminder that Black women should be able to exist as being both unique and full of promise.
