Schalk argues that while the language used in the Black Panther shows the BPPP had not fully divested themself from ableist thinking overall the language is progressive for the time. Some examples of this is the use of both handicapped and disabled as descriptors, and how the rhetoric is the Black Panther was aligned with the disability rights approach to viewing disability rather than with the medical model of disability. Schalk believes while harm can occur regardless of intention it is important we analyze potentially ableist language  more closely and in context when groups are working in solidarity with disability communities. 

Intentions of the Black Panther Rhetoric

Schalk argues that while there are words, such as the r-slur, that disability studies scholars and disability rights and justice activists many was to eliminate, 'inspiring' is not inherently ableist rather it is just often used in ableist ways. This means we need to analyze more closely how this language is being used in specific racialized contexts. The Black Panther's coverage of the 504 sit-ins almost always used inspiring in conjunction with another adjective, e.g. powerful or tremendous, while this does not negate the  possible ableist implications, it suggests that 'inspiring  was used to describe the protest's power, length, and success rather than the fact that the 504 sit-ins were carried out by disabled people. Inspiring was not used to describe any disabled individual rather to describe the protest.

Use of 'inspiring' in the Black Panther

Schalk argues that the use of victim in the Black Panther in reference to Lomax and his multiple sclerosis seem to indicate some latent ableist beliefs in the BPP, despite the fact that Lomax was supported and respected as a member. Victim in disability studies is typically interpreted as implying one is always suffering from a disability. However, Schalk asks us to look at the word victim in the context of disabling racial violence, and how the Black Panther may have been using the word 'victim' in relation to Lomax as a disabled person of color to show how marginalized people are subject to violence in was that disable their bodyminds. Schalk argues that we should in interpretating potentially ableist language be mindful of the nuance of how Black disability politics may diverge at times from the hegemonic approaches to disability politics that come from people who are less likely to be disabled through state violence and neglect.

Use of 'victim' in the Black Panther

- Intentions of Black Panther Rehtoric
- Use of 'inspiring' in the Black Panther
- Use of 'victim' in the Black Panther

University of Wisconsin - Madison

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.

Ableist Language in the Black Panther

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

Black Disability Politics

Susan Schweik, a disability studies scholar, argues that the ableist language within the Black Panther reveals a overarching lack of disability consciousness on the part of the BPP.

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