Reviews tagging 'Ableism'

Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist by Judith Heumann

33 reviews

dalcecilruno's review against another edition

hopeful informative reflective

5.0

Disability Awareness Matters
To those interested in learning more about the history of disability rights in the United States, this memoir by Judith Heumann is a fantastic starter point. The narration is a clear and honest depiction of the injustices and struggles as Heumann became an important voice for disability rights.
The memoir touches upon the topic of disability awareness around the world, but the main focus is of course in the fight for human rights in the United States, being Heumann’s birth place.
Can’t recommend it enough.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism

streberkatze's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism

Moderate: Child abuse

the_vegan_bookworm's review against another edition

inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.5

Judy Heumann was a prolific disability rights activist and her memoir is a great look into the incredible life she led as well as many pieces of the history of the disability rights movement in the US. Anyone interested in disability justice or social justice as a whole should consider reading this memoir.

My only complaint is that in the chapter describing her work with the World Bank, Judy presents this glowing review of an imperial and colonial organization that caused lots of harm to many marginalized people, including those with disabilities. I would have appreciated a more nuanced view of the organization, especially if readers aren't familiar with its legacy. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Misogyny, Sexism, and Medical trauma

Minor: Cancer, Forced institutionalization, and Death of parent

amandas_bookshelf's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative reflective fast-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Chronic illness, Cursing, Sexism, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Forced institutionalization and Police brutality

Minor: Death of parent

rosalind's review against another edition

informative inspiring fast-paced

3.0

Incredible story and woman, so the 3 stars is in no way a comment on that part! Just as a book I found it a bit dry and not as well written as I was hoping. But Heumann gets 5*s as a human!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Chronic illness, Medical content, and Medical trauma

Moderate: Emotional abuse

Minor: Confinement, Physical abuse, and Violence

angreadseverything's review against another edition

informative inspiring medium-paced

5.0

This book has been on my tbr for years since I saw the documentary Crip Camp. Heumann did so much for the disability rights movement, and as someone who was born in a world where accessibility services are mostly commonplace, it's unfathomable to think of a world where people with disabilities had to fight for ordinary things like ramps in schools and government buildings, or even the right to be a teacher. RIP to one of the greatest activists of my life who made the world a better place.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism

Moderate: Bullying

Minor: Cancer, Sexual assault, Blood, Antisemitism, and War

Heumann was a disability right's activist so the entire book is about her life and her work where many people treated her differently/worse because of her disability (abelism)

Heumann's father had cancer, Heumann mentions how msny disabled people are sexually assaulted, Heumann's family is Jewish and her parents were German immigrants who left Germany around the time of the Holocaust (anti-Semitism, war)

maxthefish's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism

Moderate: Bullying

Minor: Cancer, Chronic illness, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Terminal illness, Forced institutionalization, Antisemitism, Abortion, Death of parent, and War

pinesandpages's review against another edition

informative inspiring medium-paced

4.75

This is quite informative - Judith Heumann has lead such an impressive life and been involved in so many important democratic processes for disability rights. I learned a lot! 

My only note is that I agree with other reviewers who said this is less of a memoir and more of a recounting of her  work as an activist. Which is a very good recounting don’t get me wrong, and I am glad she wrote it, but slightly different than what I thought I was getting. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Ableism and Medical trauma

novella42's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

5.0

Like many Americans, even other Americans who grew up with a disability, I had no clue that there had been a civil rights movement that fought hard for things I took for granted, like curb cuts,  wheelchair accessible buses, and my entire education. Hearing Judy's stories about being one of the founders of this movement meant so much to me. I was in awe of her already from watching Crip Camp (a documentary I now beg my friends and family to watch, after I avoided it myself for years because of how hard it was for me to reclaim the word "crip"). Judy Heumann is a tour de force. I'd call her a force of nature, but this book makes it clear she is a force of humanity. Unrepentant, unyielding, undeniably passionate about human rights, equity, and inclusion. I am grateful to be alive in the world Judy helped build. I am grateful she shared her story so my heart could ache with recognition of our shared struggles, and lift with hope that if she can fight for equity and change the world, maybe you and I can, too.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Terminal illness, Antisemitism, Medical content, Medical trauma, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Genocide and Forced institutionalization

Minor: Cancer, Confinement, Racism, Sexual assault, Police brutality, and Death of parent

kshertz's review against another edition

hopeful informative inspiring fast-paced

4.0

The story that is told here is really incredible. I feel like it’s an important story for everyone to read. For me in particular as a special education teacher it was a great reminder about what I do, and it has helped determine my activism in the future. The actions that she took directly affect my students every single day. I can’t wait to watch her film on Netflix as well. I definitely think this should be a book that everyone reads to truly try to understand Intersectionality and the importance of coming together to support each other with  activism and holding the government accountable.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Ableism, Body shaming, Bullying, Confinement, Misogyny, Forced institutionalization, Antisemitism, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail