The Full Story of Helen Keller | The History You Didn't Learn | TIME

Summary

This video script explores the multifaceted life of Helen Keller, challenging the simplified narrative often taught in schools. It delves into her activism for disability rights, women's rights, racial justice, and workers' rights, as well as her early but later disavowed support for eugenics. The script also highlights the importance of understanding her full story to appreciate the broader contributions of disabled Americans to history.

Takeaways

• 📖 Helen Keller is known for her image on the Alabama State quarter, symbolizing the 'spirit of courage' through her depiction reading a braille book.
• 👧 The common narrative of Helen Keller often focuses on her early life and her overcoming of disabilities, which can overshadow her later achievements and activism.
• 🗣️ Haben Girma, a disability rights lawyer who is also deaf-blind, emphasizes that Helen Keller's story is often told by others, not by Keller herself, which can lead to a skewed perspective.
• 💪 Helen Keller was an advocate for various social causes, including women's rights, racial equality, and workers' rights, showing her as an agent of change rather than just an overcomer of personal adversity.
• 🏭 Keller was particularly passionate about workers' rights, recognizing the exploitation and dangers faced by workers during the period of rapid industrialization.
• 📚 She was well-read in socialist literature, corresponded with notable socialists of her time, and was involved with organizations like the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW).
• 🆘 Helen Keller was a co-founder of the ACLU, demonstrating her commitment to civil liberties, which is a part of her legacy often not highlighted in common narratives.
• 👁️‍🗨️ Despite her significant contributions to disability rights, Keller had a complex relationship with the disability community, as she was sometimes asked to stop discussing other social issues and focus solely on blindness.
• 🚫 There is a critique of Helen Keller's early support for eugenics, a stance she later moved away from, showing that perspectives and beliefs can evolve over time.
• 🌟 The script calls for a more comprehensive understanding of Helen Keller's life and work, acknowledging her as more than just an inspirational figure for overcoming personal disability.

Q & A

What is the significance of Helen Keller's image on the Alabama State quarter?

Helen Keller's image on the Alabama State quarter represents her as a symbol of courage and determination, as she is depicted reading a braille book.

How does the script challenge the common narrative about Helen Keller?

The script challenges the common narrative by highlighting that Helen Keller was more than just a child who overcame her disabilities; she was a lifelong activist who advocated for women, people of color, workers' rights, and disability rights.

What role did Haben Girma play in the script, and why is her perspective important?

Haben Girma, a disability rights lawyer who is also deaf-blind, provides a personal perspective on Helen Keller's story, emphasizing the importance of understanding Keller's life from her own words and actions, rather than just the simplified version often taught.

What is the critique of how Helen Keller's story is commonly presented?

The critique is that Helen Keller's story is often reduced to her early life and her overcoming of disabilities, ignoring her later life as an activist for various social causes, which leads to a misunderstanding of her full contributions to society.

How did Helen Keller's advocacy extend beyond disability rights?

Helen Keller was an advocate for women's rights, racial justice, and workers' rights. She was involved with organizations like the Industrial Workers of the World and co-founded the ACLU, showing her commitment to a broader range of social issues.

What is the significance of the quote by Helen Keller from 1912 mentioned in the script?

The quote 'I do not like the world as it is; so I am trying to make it a little more as I want it.' from 1912 signifies Helen Keller's proactive stance as an agent of change, rather than just a passive figure overcoming personal adversity.

What is the connection between Helen Keller's advocacy and her involvement with the American Foundation for the Blind?

Helen Keller was a spokesperson and fundraiser for the American Foundation for the Blind, an organization focused on advocacy and education for the blind, from 1925 until her death in 1968.

How does the script address the criticism that Helen Keller was once a supporter of eugenics?

The script acknowledges that Helen Keller did support eugenics early in her life, but it also points out that she later moved away from this position and would have been heartbroken to think her views were used to devalue any life.

What is the significance of the ADAPT protest and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mentioned in the script?

The ADAPT protest, where activists crawled up the steps of the U.S. Capitol Building, was a pivotal moment leading to the passing of the ADA, which improved accessibility and civil rights for people with disabilities, reflecting the ongoing struggle and achievements in disability rights.

How does the script suggest we should view Helen Keller's legacy?

The script suggests that we should view Helen Keller's legacy as one of a complex individual who was not only a symbol of overcoming personal disability but also a significant advocate for social justice and equality across multiple fronts.