Intersectional Souls Project |
The Intersectional Souls project
many intersections, one goal
Many identities, one soul
from divided to whole
"The Deaf community is a beautiful mosaic of multiple cultures, identities, and sign languages" - Carla García-Fernández
[image description: Three different photos of Black Deaf womxns. Image on left shows a younger womxn with shoulder length hair signing "inside". She is smiling with pride. Middle image is a tinted image of an elderly womxn with short hair and glasses. Her eyes is closed as she is signing "despair". Image on right shows a middle aged womxn, her facial expression emphasizing the curliness of Black hair. She is wearing white gauge earrings. Backgrounds are different shades of brown.]
Our Goal
[Image description: Miki Smith, a light skinned Black Deaf womxn, is in a sitting position, signing the goals of this project. Her hair is short and curly, she is wearing a white top with a grey cardigan, porcelain white gauge earrings, and a sporty watch. Light colored curtains are behind her and there is a spider plant on her left.]
The goal of Intersectional Souls Project is to provide the opportunity for Black Deaf Youth and role models to come together and learn from one another. We envision that we will accomplish this by hosting a retreat, during which time we would focus on several areas, including: media, music, arts, poetry, photography, dance, and film.
What does intersectionality mean? Intersectionality is the study of intersections between forms or systems of oppression, domination or discrimination. The concept first came from Black legal scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw in 1989 and is largely used in critical theories, especially Feminist theory, when discussing systematic oppression. It means that we recognize that people in the Deaf community have different identities that overlap. For instance, a person might identify as Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing, Person of Color, Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Transgender, Elder, Youth, Educated, Grassroots, and so on. Whichever identities encompass a person, we want to take the opportunity to teach and inspire youth so that they may succeed, whatever their path in life.
The goal of Intersectional Souls Project is to provide the opportunity for Black Deaf Youth and role models to come together and learn from one another. We envision that we will accomplish this by hosting a retreat, during which time we would focus on several areas, including: media, music, arts, poetry, photography, dance, and film.
What does intersectionality mean? Intersectionality is the study of intersections between forms or systems of oppression, domination or discrimination. The concept first came from Black legal scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw in 1989 and is largely used in critical theories, especially Feminist theory, when discussing systematic oppression. It means that we recognize that people in the Deaf community have different identities that overlap. For instance, a person might identify as Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing, Person of Color, Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Transgender, Elder, Youth, Educated, Grassroots, and so on. Whichever identities encompass a person, we want to take the opportunity to teach and inspire youth so that they may succeed, whatever their path in life.
The Deaf (DDBDDHH*, BIPOC*, LGBTQIA) community is a perfect example of a blend of intersectional souls. Although members of the Deaf community have been talking about the overlapping of identities for a long time, Stephanie "Najma" Johnson, Drago Renteria, and Elena Ruiz-Williams are among a few who have spread awareness about the concept in various communities. Additionally, Dr. Carla García-Fernández has written about the importance of incorporating and cherishing multiple identities in Deaf-Lat education. We thank these wonderful people for their hard work- it is an inspiration to learn from them.
*DDBDDHH refers to Deaf, Deaf-Blind, Deaf-Disabled, Hard of Hearing. BIPOC refers to Black, Indigenous, and Peoples of Color.
*DDBDDHH refers to Deaf, Deaf-Blind, Deaf-Disabled, Hard of Hearing. BIPOC refers to Black, Indigenous, and Peoples of Color.
Fundraising Projects
In order for this project to be successful, we need your support with raising money. Money raised will fund a media retreat and help with travel, equipment, staffing, and production costs. We hope that you will be inspired to contribute to and support making this dream come true.
We are working on several fundraising projects. One of our fundraising efforts include doing a translation of Dr. Nathie Marbury's poems into ASL. We have experimented with a few- the video below, for example, is an translation of the "Color" poem that Nathie wrote in 1991. We are hoping to do a variety of creative projects during Black History Month and at various events all over the country. If you have any fundraising ideas or questions, please feel free to contact us.
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or would like to donate, feel free to contact us. We offer tax deductions through the Deaf Women of Color organization.
We are working on several fundraising projects. One of our fundraising efforts include doing a translation of Dr. Nathie Marbury's poems into ASL. We have experimented with a few- the video below, for example, is an translation of the "Color" poem that Nathie wrote in 1991. We are hoping to do a variety of creative projects during Black History Month and at various events all over the country. If you have any fundraising ideas or questions, please feel free to contact us.
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or would like to donate, feel free to contact us. We offer tax deductions through the Deaf Women of Color organization.
In Honor of Dr. Nathie Marbury
Nathie has touched many of our lives in various ways. This project is one way to carry on her legacy and allow more young Black Deaf* people to dream and achieve even the most impossible dreams.