A 1930 newsreel of
Helen Keller and her teacher-companion, Annie Sullivan, explaining in brief how Helen went from a blind-deaf-mute to a woman with the power of vocal speech, the means of expression–and a remarkable eloquence that turned her into one of the foremost feminists and
socialists of the day. The use of the word “dumb”, here, is the old one–meaning
speechless, not stupid.
As one can see by
her writings and speeches, Helen Keller was formidably intelligent. Many biographers now prefer to focus on the individualistic “miracle” aspect of her learning to communicate without sight or hearing, rather than the logical outcome of it–namely, Helen’s free and progressive mind. Her politics are
often bowdlerized or misrepresented, if they are mentioned at all, because they are so unfashionable–and so threatening to corporate interests, now more than ever.
One wonders what she’d have said about the way the ‘wingers are now doing their stupid best to
derail all hope of universal, publicly funded healthcare in the states. What would she say to their corporate-backed fascist “tea parties”, which are so
contrary to what the REAL Boston Tea Party was about? I suspect she’d have
blasted them.
How we need the likes of her today!




Where is Northern Ontario are you from, if you don’t mind me asking…
What, me mind? 🙂
I was born in Englehart, lived in Charlton and New Liskeard, then Englehart again. When I was 10, my family moved to Southern Ontario. I’m now right across Lake Ontario from Rochester, NY.
Thanks.
I know that area pretty well. My sister in law comes from NL and my family, for many years, had a fish/hunt camp on Lake Temagami. Small world…
Best.
M
It is indeed. Howdy, neighbor!