Blind Activism
Researching the activist work of people with disabilities is an affective way to understand their feelings toward social attitudes. It gives space in history to their voices and helps historians understand how they navigated society. This case study examines the activism of people with blindness during the twentieth century.
"Then came the Great War … I was discharged – 'Totally unfit for any form of military service', night blindness."
"She turned on me with a wild fury; 'why should they take my lad to get killed and leave a strong chap like you at home?'"
"The same words rung in my ears 'Why should they take my only boy?'"
"The torrent of abuse which followed took even me by surprise, 'Hypocrite, liar, lead-swinger' she said; 'you’re supposed to be blind yet you can see to read a newspaper.'"
MSS.147/5/2/2, Modern Records Centre, Viewpoint, January 1954.
The quotes above are from the article ‘A few dark clouds’ included in the National Federation of the Blind members magazine. The article reflects on the authors experience as a man with eye sight difficulties who was denied from taking part in the First World War. The piece demonstrates how he faced abuse due to misunderstandings of his disability.
Image description: Black and white photograph: Nelson's column base is visible in the background, with one of the lion sculptures visible to the left. A large crowd of people in coats, hats and caps (mostly male with a few women) are looking towards the line of speakers at the base of the column. Behind them are a few banners, with texts which are illegible at this distance. A printed caption reads: 'Blind marchers demonstration in Trafalgar Square, 1st November 1936'.
MSS.349/5/5/2, Modern Records Centre, demonstration in Trafalgar Square, 1936, for the rights of blind people
The National League of the Blind was founded and recognised as a trade union in 1899. The organisation carried out multiple protests to raise awareness of the injustices blind workers faced. Protests in 1920 resulted in the Blind Persons Act. This act created a pension for blind workers between the ages of 50 and 70, and demanded local authorities introduce measures for the welfare of blind persons. The protest above was part of the Jarrow Marches, it centred around the campaign for a minimum wage for blind workers that would equal that of the minimum wage in general.
This campaign shows how blind workers were perceived in early twentieth century Britain and their struggle to fight the prejudices they faced.
(Alice Fairclough)