The Black Deaf Renaissance

Presenter: Lauren Constantine

Presenter Status: Undergraduate student

Academic Year: 20-21

Semester: Spring

Faculty Mentor: Sandra Moore

Department: American Multicultural Studies

Funding Source/Sponsor: SYRCE Symposium

President's Strategic Plan Goal: Connectivity and Community Engagement, Diversity and Social Justice

Screenshot URL: https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1EbXceYzZINrxwVqB_phsqc-wQXyiQLn7

Abstract:
Black Deaf Americans and their culture have been overlooked in many ways throughout the history of the United States. Due to advocate’s efforts, movements were created and gained large strides through the 1970s and into the 1980s. On account of this, the 1980s were labeled the “Black Deaf Renaissance” because of the revival of Black Deaf culture, and the changes that took place during this time. Black Deaf culture began pushing through to the mainstream, and although today there is still a long way to go, the 1980s saw progress. This progress led into the next few decades causing Black Deaf individuals to gain important leadership positions, as well as caused the growth of Black Deaf history being taught in more mainstream academic settings. This can further be seen through people on social media today who are teaching the public about Black Deaf culture and Black American Sign Language. The Black Deaf community is especially prevalent on TikTok, and their efforts have led to news stories on outlets such as VICE, ABC News, Global News, and many more in the last couple of years. Overall, the 1980s Black Deaf Renaissance is something often pushed aside in history, along with Black Deaf individuals themselves, and I feel it important to bring forward not only their history throughout the decades surrounding the 1980s, but also how it has affected their community to the present day.