Surviving Race: Intersection of Injustice, Disability, and Human Rights

Sparked by Eric Garner's tragic murder at the hands of police violence in August 2014, Surviving Race was created as a platform for people of color, psychiatric survivors, the disability and LGBT communities, and white allies to collectively strategize against police violence. Many stakeholders have encountered or witnessed police violence, which was often associated with actual or perceived emotional crisis or other disability. Garner's murder, although not specifically linked to disability, represents ongoing genocide with current implications for black people experiencing emotional crisis or in a precarious situation. Accordingly, In response to increased visibility of structural racism, systemic oppression, and police violence, Surviving Race convened advocates, artists, educators, peer supporters, psychiatric survivors, and white allies to 1) acknowledge, celebrate, and integrate the legacy of hope, resiliency and vision forged by our ancestors; 2) examine the impact of structural racism, systemic oppression, and police violence on health disparities and racial trauma experienced by Black and Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC); and 3) co-create strategies and implementation steps to respond to these issues.