Miller vs Board of Education of District of Columbia

The illustration is one of my most heartfelt drawings in the educational Black Deaf Lives Matter book. I never knew about the Millier vs Board of Education case until the author told me about the courageous lady named Louise Miller and Black parents who sued the DC Board of Education to have deaf Black children educated. I grew up around Washington, D.C., and knew Deaf schools on the campus of Gallaudet University. I felt bothered that I was never told about it. That prompted me to draw the picture very well for anyone to see and remember it. I want children to know the Black Deaf history.

These four images are from the book Black Deaf Lives Matter: A fun coloring & activity book about Black Deaf life, history, culture & sign languages written by Dr. Lissa Ramirez-Stapleton and illustrated by Shawn Richardson. In Black Deaf Lives Matter children can engage in learning about Black Deaf role models, history, and movements through an activity book. This activity book honors the Black Lives Matter movement and focuses on the contributions, activism, history, and culture of Black Deaf Lives. No one person, classroom, or moment can teach our children how power and privilege work in the U.S., why self-love and loving others is critical, or what it means to be in solidarity with others. Thus, the goal of this coloring activity book is to create an interactive way to start conversations about race, racism, and audism as well as introduce Black history, Black Deaf culture, and more. You can purchase the book on Amazon.

Shawn Richardson

Miller vs Board of Education of District of Columbia

2020

Ink on paper

The illustration shows 3 people standing outside in front of a historic building at Gallaudet. These Black people are Louise and Kenneth Miller along with a deaf son.