The use of the terms "multiple disabilities" and "double whammy" in the Black Panther's coverage of 504 are similar to theorizing by feminist of color, in particular Third World feminist and Black feminist, theorizing, for example Frances M. Beal's writing about "double jeopardy" or the Combahee River Collective's Black feminist statement that was written the same month as the 504 sit-in.

Influence of Feminist of Color Theorizing on Black Disability Politics

In his interview with The Black  Panther Lomax referred to being Black and disabled as "multiple-disabilities," and in another article covering the congressional hearings about 504 held during the protest at the San Francisco HEW office the Black Panther states that the protestors testifying "eloquently expressed the 'double whammy' experienced by handicapped minorities."

University of Wisconsin - Madison

Brad Lomax was a Black disabled man, a member of the Black Panther Party, and a 504 Protester. Lomax had discovered he had symptoms of M.S. while having trouble walking in 1969. Lomax's condition grew worse, even despite medical attention. By 1977 Lomax was a full time wheelchair user and was legally blind. Lomax remained as a member of the Black Panther Party and worked to incorporate Black Disability Politics into the efforts of the BPP by focusing on the independent living movement, Lomax  later would lead the Center for Independent Living with Ed Roberts.

Brad Lomax

Schalk, Sami. Black Disability Politics, New York, USA: Duke University Press, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1515/9781478027003

Black Disability Politics

Brad Lomax, a disabled Black man and Panther, and Chuck Jackson, a non-disabled Black man and Panther, were featured on the May 7 cover "The Black Panther" both men served as representative delegates to Washington DC for the 504 coalition. This cover was part of the ongoing coverage by "The Black Panther" of the 504 Protests. "The Black Panther" covered the Sit-In ten times during the length of the demonstration and eight times after it had ended. "The Black Panther" served as  one of the foremost sources on the 504 Sit-In with only a local paper, the San Francisco Chronicle, covering the protest more often. 

May 7, 1977 Cover of Brad Lomax and Chuck Jackson

While the Black Panther's coverage of the 504 demonstration was a radical example of Black disability politics there was ableism in the Black Panthers coverage. For instance the Black Panther described the protesters as "inspiring" and "most poignant" these words often are associated with inspiration porn and are patronizing as based in narratives of overcoming disability. The Black Panther also stated that Brad Lomax was "victimized by multiple sclerosis." This presentation of Lomax's relationship with M.S. suggests that Lomax was only harmed and suffered  from M.S. rather than just being a person living with M.S.

Learn Before

Related

Learn After