Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist
by Judith E. Heumann
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A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year for Nonfiction"...an essential and engaging look at recent disability history."— Buzzfeed
One of the most influential disability rights activists in US history tells her personal story of fighting for the right to receive an education, have a job, and just be human.
A story of fighting to belong in a world that wasn’t built for all of us and of one woman’s activism—from the streets of Brooklyn and San Francisco to inside the halls of show more Washington—Being Heumann recounts Judy Heumann’s lifelong battle to achieve respect, acceptance, and inclusion in society.
Paralyzed from polio at eighteen months, Judy’s struggle for equality began early in life. From fighting to attend grade school after being described as a “fire hazard” to later winning a lawsuit against the New York City school system for denying her a teacher’s license because of her paralysis, Judy’s actions set a precedent that fundamentally improved rights for disabled people.
As a young woman, Judy rolled her wheelchair through the doors of the US Department of Health, Education, and Welfare in San Francisco as a leader of the Section 504 Sit-In, the longest takeover of a governmental building in US history. Working with a community of over 150 disabled activists and allies, Judy successfully pressured the Carter administration to implement protections for disabled peoples’ rights, sparking a national movement and leading to the creation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Candid, intimate, and irreverent, Judy Heumann’s memoir about resistance to exclusion invites readers to imagine and make real a world in which we all belong. show less
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"Being Heumann" is a profound testament to the resilience and power of individuals living with disabilities. Judith Heumann's journey exemplifies that disability does not confine one to a predetermined fate; instead, it presents opportunities for advocacy, empowerment, and personal growth. As she aptly states, "Your disability does not put you in a box. It changes your life." This perspective challenges societal norms and fosters a sense of agency in navigating one's unique circumstances.
Heumann's advocacy serves as a beacon of inspiration, urging individuals to defy limitations and embrace their inherent worth. Through her relentless pursuit of equality and justice, she emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy and the need to show more challenge societal perceptions of disability. "Being Heumann" is a call to action, urging readers to stand up for their rights, pursue their dreams, and refuse to be defined by their disabilities.
In contemplating Heumann's journey, one is compelled to ponder: How would I navigate life with a disability? Would I succumb to bitterness and negativity, or would I strive to be a force of positivity and change? This question invites introspection and challenges societal biases, ultimately highlighting the transformative power of resilience and determination. show less
Heumann's advocacy serves as a beacon of inspiration, urging individuals to defy limitations and embrace their inherent worth. Through her relentless pursuit of equality and justice, she emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy and the need to show more challenge societal perceptions of disability. "Being Heumann" is a call to action, urging readers to stand up for their rights, pursue their dreams, and refuse to be defined by their disabilities.
In contemplating Heumann's journey, one is compelled to ponder: How would I navigate life with a disability? Would I succumb to bitterness and negativity, or would I strive to be a force of positivity and change? This question invites introspection and challenges societal biases, ultimately highlighting the transformative power of resilience and determination. show less
I first heard about Judy Heumann in the eye-opening Netflix documentary "Crip Camp," which portrayed a 1970s camp for teens with disabilities that created such camaraderie and x that several of its attendees became pioneers in the early disabilities right movement. Heumann was easily the star of the movie, and I'm glad to find her new autobiography. Written in straightforward no-frills language, she modestly tells the story of her involvement in protests and sit-ins that advocated for the passage of landmark legislation that ensured that people with disabilities had equal access to education, transportation, employment, etc. I'm in my mid 50's and I didn't realize that the Americans with Disabilities Act was only enacted 30 years ago. show more It's still shocking to me that Judy, a polio victim born in the 1950s to Holocaust survivors, wasn't allowed to attend school and was expected to be institutionalized, or at best languish in a sheltered workshop.
Covers much of the same ground as "Crip Camp" but with more specific details about Heumann's childhood, and extends the story into Heumann's position in the Obama government as well as a bleak postscript about the progress that is already being reversed in the Trump administration. I don't want to use the word "inspiring" because I don't want to be patronizing but the fact is her accomplishments would be amazing for anyone, whether they have a disability or not. show less
Covers much of the same ground as "Crip Camp" but with more specific details about Heumann's childhood, and extends the story into Heumann's position in the Obama government as well as a bleak postscript about the progress that is already being reversed in the Trump administration. I don't want to use the word "inspiring" because I don't want to be patronizing but the fact is her accomplishments would be amazing for anyone, whether they have a disability or not. show less
What a lovely mixture of a biograpy and a testimony to the disabled activists that have caused changed.
I saw a few complaints on it, but I thought the fact-based narration aided to the purpose of this book. It was less of a personal ‘story’ and more of a testimony of the change disabled activists fought for and her first hand account. The opening sections just supplied a personal background and lead up to explain her later on actions and how her activism continued to be built upon prior experience and be fueled by the challenges she was unfairly forced to experienced. You don't need to know all the personal heartbreak and misery and shame she felt during these moments of discrimination, you don't need to know every snide comment show more or instance of her being denied a basic service or human right. There's plenty of stories and account by disabled people all across the world, you already know the a
hardships they face—you should be able to sympathize with a marginalized group without voyeuristic details about their mistreatment.
Carrying on that, I also didn't find the writing dry at all! I thought it reflected on her life and how her style is obviously influenced by her positions of leadership and change. As Judith stated many times, she and other disabled people had to ARGUE and convince abled body people that discrimination against them even existed. People in positions of power don't care how you feel, she had to base her arguments in hard evidence and fact. Even as a child, she said the family dinners prepared her to be outspoken in what she believes because you always had to be prepared to defend your opinion on a subject. Personally, I viewed the style as another window to how she thought, operated, and spoke about the mistreatment she faced. Maybe in a more compassionate world, saying 'this makes me feel bad and excluded, I'm lonely and hurt' would be enough but, as we see, it wasn't. She and the countless other activists had to fight to have their lives even acknowledged, their feelings were constantly handwaved away. So the personal recounting of these major events being focused on the step by step and process was fascinating and I thought it added to the book.
I mostly treasured this not only for an inside view by one of the most known disabled activist, but also for how much emphasis is placed in building community and a support system. The attention she gives to credit and highlight how many people and other civil rights movements were involved and helped is such a beautiful reminder that together, in solidarity, we are always stronger and CAN make a change and set a new standard for what should be expected in a supportive society despite the people that try to prevent it.
I saw a few complaints on it, but I thought the fact-based narration aided to the purpose of this book. It was less of a personal ‘story’ and more of a testimony of the change disabled activists fought for and her first hand account. The opening sections just supplied a personal background and lead up to explain her later on actions and how her activism continued to be built upon prior experience and be fueled by the challenges she was unfairly forced to experienced. You don't need to know all the personal heartbreak and misery and shame she felt during these moments of discrimination, you don't need to know every snide comment show more or instance of her being denied a basic service or human right. There's plenty of stories and account by disabled people all across the world, you already know the a
hardships they face—you should be able to sympathize with a marginalized group without voyeuristic details about their mistreatment.
Carrying on that, I also didn't find the writing dry at all! I thought it reflected on her life and how her style is obviously influenced by her positions of leadership and change. As Judith stated many times, she and other disabled people had to ARGUE and convince abled body people that discrimination against them even existed. People in positions of power don't care how you feel, she had to base her arguments in hard evidence and fact. Even as a child, she said the family dinners prepared her to be outspoken in what she believes because you always had to be prepared to defend your opinion on a subject. Personally, I viewed the style as another window to how she thought, operated, and spoke about the mistreatment she faced. Maybe in a more compassionate world, saying 'this makes me feel bad and excluded, I'm lonely and hurt' would be enough but, as we see, it wasn't. She and the countless other activists had to fight to have their lives even acknowledged, their feelings were constantly handwaved away. So the personal recounting of these major events being focused on the step by step and process was fascinating and I thought it added to the book.
I mostly treasured this not only for an inside view by one of the most known disabled activist, but also for how much emphasis is placed in building community and a support system. The attention she gives to credit and highlight how many people and other civil rights movements were involved and helped is such a beautiful reminder that together, in solidarity, we are always stronger and CAN make a change and set a new standard for what should be expected in a supportive society despite the people that try to prevent it.
“We—all of us, and especially marginalized people—need to work together. In the broader civil rights movements disability was and still is absent. Visible and invisible disabilities cut across all minorities. We are African American, Latino, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, transgender, middle class, wealthy, poor, Jewish, Hindu, Christian, Muslim. We can’t be selective about which marginalized group moves forward. At the end of the day, we all need to be moving forward together, taking care of our families and the planet. When whole groups of people become segregated from others in our society, it weakens the fabric of our democracy. Distance and segregation are breeding grounds for failures of understanding and empathy and ultimately injustice and the denial of others’ rights.”show less
Judith Heumann was paralyzed with polio at 18 months of age in 1949, and is now internationally recognized as a civil rights leader.
Heumann didn't start school until fourth grade. When she did, she shared her special education, nap-included classroom with teenagers who still couldn't read. As she grew into high school and at summer camp in the early 1960s, she became increasingly aware of how the lives of disabled people were excessively -- and unnecessarily -- circumscribed. Despite the odds, she went to university, engaged a legal battle to become a teacher that even the ACLU was hesitant to take, and transitioned to a lifetime of local, then national, then international disability activism, including leading teams at the World Bank show more and State Department.
Being Heumann is an excellent memoir of political change in action. I'm a bit disappointed that it is so single-track, however; almost everything directly calls back to radicalization, activism, or progress. Perhaps this is the influence of co-author (not-so-ghostwriter?) Kristen Joiner, whose clear agenda is to change how people see the world. Regardless, despite having an extremely political lens on what it means to be human, Being Heumann is worth reading for its treatment of how recently American built spaces came to be accessible and the fight required. show less
Heumann didn't start school until fourth grade. When she did, she shared her special education, nap-included classroom with teenagers who still couldn't read. As she grew into high school and at summer camp in the early 1960s, she became increasingly aware of how the lives of disabled people were excessively -- and unnecessarily -- circumscribed. Despite the odds, she went to university, engaged a legal battle to become a teacher that even the ACLU was hesitant to take, and transitioned to a lifetime of local, then national, then international disability activism, including leading teams at the World Bank show more and State Department.
Being Heumann is an excellent memoir of political change in action. I'm a bit disappointed that it is so single-track, however; almost everything directly calls back to radicalization, activism, or progress. Perhaps this is the influence of co-author (not-so-ghostwriter?) Kristen Joiner, whose clear agenda is to change how people see the world. Regardless, despite having an extremely political lens on what it means to be human, Being Heumann is worth reading for its treatment of how recently American built spaces came to be accessible and the fight required. show less
I had heard of the 504 sit-in and after watching Crip Camp on Netflix, I had to learn more about such a strong and influential activist. Judy Heumann's memoir is an invigorating history of the disability rights movement. Great read!
nonfiction, memoir/history - social justice activism / disability civil rights (US 1950s onward)
Terrific and inspiring, so relatable--that balance between not wanting to be a "burden" but also being able to participate--and increasingly important. This is a fast read and one I highly recommend, along with Haben's memoir.
Terrific and inspiring, so relatable--that balance between not wanting to be a "burden" but also being able to participate--and increasingly important. This is a fast read and one I highly recommend, along with Haben's memoir.
Excellent story of the ADA and activist Judith Heumann
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- Original publication date
- 2020 (copyright) (copyright)
- People/Characters
- Judith Heumann
- Important places
- Washington, D.C., USA; Berkeley, California, USA
- Dedication
- JUDITH
To my mother and father, Ilse and Werner Heumann, of blessed memory, for the belief that I could do anything.
To Marca Bristo, a fellow fighter who shared a vision of how the world should be.
KRISTEN
To my mother and father, Laurel Warnick Joiner and Brian Joiner, who showed me what it means to truly live by your values. - First words
- I never wished I didn't have a disability.
- Publisher's editor
- Green, Joanna
- Blurbers
- Clinton, Hilary; Steinem, Gloria; Sandberg, Sheryl; Stroker, Ali; Girma, Haben; Guskin, Sharon (show all 8); Walker, Darren; Nigussie, Yetnebersh
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- Genres
- Nonfiction, Biography & Memoir, General Nonfiction
- DDC/MDS
- 362.4092 — Social sciences Social problems and social services Social problems of and services to groups of people People with disabilites Biography; History By Place Biography
- LCC
- JC571 .H49 — Political Science Political theory Political theory. The state. Theories of the state Purpose, functions, and relations of the state
- BISAC
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