Celebrating Black Autistic Women: Say it loud “ I’m Black Autistic & I am Proud”
Black History Month, a time to honour and celebrate the immense contributions and resilience of Black individuals throughout history, also offers an opportunity to explore the intersecting identities that make each person unique. Among the remarkable individuals who have shaped history are Black autistic women, whose stories and experiences are often overlooked or untold. In this blog, we delve into what it means to be a Black autistic woman and how their presence enriches the tapestry of Black history.
Being a Black autistic woman means navigating a world where multiple aspects of your identity intersect, often presenting unique challenges and strengths. The experiences of Black autistic women are distinctive due to the intersection of their racial, gender, and neurological identities.
One of the most significant challenges Black autistic women face is the underdiagnosis and misdiagnosis of autism. Cultural biases and gender stereotypes can lead to missed opportunities for early intervention and support. Black autistic women may be perceived as shy, introverted, or labelled as having behavioural problems instead of receiving the necessary assistance to thrive. During Black History Month, it is crucial to raise awareness about the importance of early autism diagnosis in the Black community and to challenge preconceived notions about what autism looks like.
The intersection of being a Black autistic woman also lends itself to fostering resilience and a sense of community. Many Black autistic women have developed strong networks of support and advocacy, both within the autism community and the Black community. These connections allow them to share their experiences, challenges, and successes, making Black History Month a time for recognizing and celebrating these collective achievements.
In celebrating Black autistic women during Black History Month, it's essential to recognise their unique strengths. For me the Black autistic women I am celebrating are not famous but they have played a massive contribution in my life. Both Jo and Venessa hold particular significance for me and it is important to acknowledge their contributions to my life, but also to all the others over the years they have supported.
Firstly Jo Alexander, my fairy godmother, mentor and dear friend. Despite Jo’s children being diagnosed very early, she never was. She focussed so much to ensure that her children got the right support that she did not advocate for herself. Jo is somebody in our local community who we all go to for advice, support and she is a bit of a legal eagle. As I continue on my journey of self-acceptance Jo is right there with me. Now in her later life she is finally experiencing autistic joy, she is proud of her neurodivergence and she champions it loudly.
Venessa Bobb-Swaby the founder of A2NDVoice CIC has been everything to me, a place to gain information, network, create, build and find sisterhood in our shared and differing struggles. She is incredibly intelligent yet so humble, she works hard not just for her family but her community. Venessa has never shied away from raising the flag of autism even when she was alone. Despite her wealth of knowledge and experience, recently Venessa has been dealing with the issues of her daughter and her college placement. Reminding me that we are so far away from autistic justice. There are still so many barriers we have to dismantle.
Incorporating the experiences of Black autistic women into Black History Month celebrations opens up a broader conversation about diversity and inclusion. It challenges society to recognise that the Black community is not monolithic and that different identities and experiences exist within it. By acknowledging and amplifying the voices of Black autistic women, we create a more inclusive and equitable celebration of Black history.
As we celebrate Black History Month, let us also commit to creating an inclusive space where the stories and experiences of Black autistic women are acknowledged and celebrated. This month offers an opportunity to uplift these voices, highlighting the strength and resilience that comes from navigating multiple intersecting identities. Black autistic women, with their unique talents and perspectives, have made, and continue to make, invaluable contributions to Black history and society as a whole.
