Episode 62: Disability Activism Through Art

In this episode of You First, we talk with Jen White Johnson (she/they), a renowned artist, educator, and disability activist who uses the arts as a medium to champion the life, joy, and experiences of the disabled and neurodivergent community. Jen discusses their journey as someone diagnosed with ADHD later in life, the barriers for disabled Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) to getting a diagnosis, and the impact of their son being diagnosed with autism. They talk about the need for more disabled BIPOC representation in visual media, their efforts to bring disabled artists to the forefront, and how they work to deconstruct ableism in the classroom. Jen discusses their artwork that celebrates Disability Justice and celebrates Disability Joy through visual arts, digital design, zine-making, installations, and more.
Episode 62 Relevant links mentioned:
Jen’s website: bit.ly/3js9Hdv
Disrupt and Resist Exhibition: bit.ly/3OOR4Na
Critical Design Lab Disability Solidarity Statement: bit.ly/3uEL6aV
An Anthology of Blackness: The State of Black Design bit.ly/42ML7pU
Disability Justice Culture Club: bit.ly/42MAAe6
Anti-Ableist Art Educator Manifesto: bit.ly/42N1kv8
Homie House Press: bit.ly/42QpYLf
Disability Visibility: bit.ly/3PfJH1J
Krip Hop Nation: bit.ly/3ONOB5O
Sins Invalid: bit.ly/3UNhq5W
Jen's Zine Workshops: bit.ly/3OUJL6O
Black Feminist Future Collective: bit.ly/3OT1KdT
#DisabilityPodcast #DisabilityArt #DisabledArtists #DisabilityJustice #AccessIsLove #DisabledDesigners #DisabilityPride #DisabilityAwareness #InclusivityMatters #BlackDisabledLivesMatter #BlackFuturesMonth ‪@whitetorres‬