Throughout Black History Month, we celebrate the contributions of Black Americans with disabilities who made a significant impact on our world. This week, we highlight the work of civil rights advocate Thomas Wiggins.
Thomas Wiggins (1849–1908), was a Black American musician and composer. Born into slavery in Georgia, he was blind from birth. Based on accounts, it is believed that he also had autism. He was spared death at a time when it was common to kill Black infants with disabilities.
Because of his disabilities, Tom was not forced to work in the same ways other Black men were. A naturally gifted pianist, he began performing at the age of six. He became famous for his imitations of bird calls, trains, and other sounds of nature which he incorporated into his music. At the age of 11, he was invited to perform at the White House by President James Buchanan.
His young age, status as a slave, and delayed emotional development made him vulnerable to exploitation by his owners. After abolition, his owners became his legal guardians. They controlled his income and managed his career. Historical accounts suggest that the money the family made from Tom’s talents was used to support the Confederacy.
He became one of the most sought-after musicians of his time. His compositions embody 19th-century romanticism with a great range of emotion and narrative detail.
Did you know:
The Council’s grant process is one of the ways in which we accomplish our goals. Beginning in 2022, the NJCDD funded a two-year project to expand the range and comprehensiveness of the Council’s ability to empower Black communities by providing information that enhances access to information and services. The grantee, LeDerick Horne Speaks and Bill Davis, developed and continue to facilitate the NJ Black I/DD Consortium. Comprised of members from organizations, school districts and local advocates, the Consortium is guiding the development of strategies to access information that maximizes academic, employment and quality life outcomes for Black NJ residents with I/DD and their families.
A new grant, which will be funded this spring, will provide education, training, technical assistance, and advocacy support to help parents, guardians, and caregivers of Black and Hispanic students with disabilities engage in advocacy work at the local level to eliminate the inappropriate use of seclusion, restraint, suspension, and expulsion in school. The desired outcome of this funding initiative will lead to a reduction in the use of these procedures and an increase in parent, caregiver, and guardian engagement in local advocacy.
