"But the monster lived, consumed our lives, and became something other –
a manifestation of our fears."
-Jason Irwin, Author
They are treated as second-class citizens in a society structured in White dominance and supremacy. They are treated like third-class citizens within their own communities due to their disabilities. Some Black boys with disabilities wish and pray that their disabilities just disappear so they can live a second-class life. They would rather deal with being a second-class citizen in a society dominated by White dominance and supremacy than be a third-class citizen ostracized by their Black community members due to their disabilities. It's hard to believe; however, this is the reality many Black boys with disabilities face daily.
This manifestation of fear within Black boys with disabilities isn't just felt internally, it is magnified externally. Parents, caregivers, educators, and educational leaders fear they do not possess the skills or resources to effectively empower Black boys with disabilities. The adults assigned to care for them eventually begin to fear them. These adults do not fear Black boys with disabilities because of some inherent trait that makes Black boys with disabilities more harmful than anyone else; these adults fear Black boys with disabilities because they don't possess the will or the skills, and often resources, to effectively include and empower Black boys with disabilities in their homes, communities, and schools.
What happens to Black boys with disabilities when they are viewed as and created into monsters within their communities? The answers are horrific but not shocking in an inequitable society. We begin to see lower test scores, higher drop-out rates, an increase in crimes of desperation, higher unemployment rates, higher underemployment rates, mass incarceration, increased suicidal ideation, and other horrific realities Black boys with disabilities face when they are turned into monsters within our society.
1) Humanize
Humanizing Black boys with disabilities as human-beings who have wants, needs, aspirations, and fears will help you see that their disability and their Blackness is out of their control and are elements of their lives that make them worthy and unique.
2) Trust Yourself
Trust that you have some of the skills necessary to support and educate Black boys with disabilities. Do not doubt yourself when you run into a challenge supporting or educating a Black male student with a disability. Trust in your compassion for him and your resolve to work with others to find solutions that work for him.
3) Hold Reasonably High Expectations
Believe that Black boys with disabilities are capable of achieving at high levels academically, socially, emotionally, and economically with the right supports in place. You must believe that Black boys with disabilities deserve the most rigorous and inclusive education they can receive. Your expectations must be reasonable for each individual student. However, do not give into the toxic mindset that you should lower your expectations for Black boys with disabilities because you feel sorry for them. Black boys with disabilities do not need you to feel sorry for them. They need you to see them, hear them, understand them, connect with them, and empower them!
4) Build Community
You don't have to empower Black boys with disabilities by yourself. There are organizations the Center for Black Educator Development, Barbershop Books, Next One Up, The National Black Children Development Institute and so many more great organizations all across the United States of America who have amazing resources and skills professionals who can help you empower Black boys with disabilities. You cannot do this alone because empowering children who feel like third-class citizens requires an all-hands on deck approach.
5) Continue to Learn
There are books, articles, webinars, conferences, and more that are free or very affordable that provide different strategies to empower Black boys with disabilities. If you're an educational professional who wants to learn how to empower Black boys with disabilities in mathematics, check out the resources that Inspire Math provides on their website. If you want to learn about how to support the social-emotional development of Black boys with disabilities using music, check out the resource that We Do It 4 The Culture provides on their website. There are various books and resources at your local public libraries and online like Ed Post podcast on YouTube that can help you empower Black boys with disabilities. You don't have to be an expert. You just need to be willing to learn and grow so your impact is positive and meaningful in the lives of Black boys with disabilities.
There is no need for you to feel fearful about empowering Black boys with disabilities. There are resources, organizations, and individuals who are here to help you. Do not allow our talented and worthy Black boys with disabilities to feel like they are monsters in their own skin or communities. You can do this not because I think you can; you can do this because you have everything you need to get started wherever you are.
If you need support as a parent/caregiver or an organization with empowering Black boys with disabilities, feel free to reach out to Realized Curriculum Solutions for a free discovery call to determine how we can co-create solutions to create endless possibilities for the Black boys with disabilities you serve.