This image pictures an excited Helen Keller holding two-year old and fellow passenger Donald Hart on board the ocean linear Independence after the ship docked in New York. It was captured by photographer, Ed Ford in 1956. The 1950s in the United States were a decade marked by the post-World War II boom, as well as the dawn of the Cold War and the Civil Rights Movement. Helen Keller was born in 1880, so she was 76 when this photo was taken. When this photo was taken, Keller had just returned from a 3-month stay in Europe, her first vacation trip in 40 years! The mere fact that this was Helen’s first vacation in forty years tells us a lot about her dedication to her work. Helen was extremely dedicated to her work with the disabled community. “As a disabled individual, Helen was no stranger to societal ill treatment, and she ardently felt that all her fellow Americans should be valued regardless of gender, race, or creed. While she fought diligently for those rights, she also made a stand for peace when possible” (Beckwith 2018)(1). Beckwith explains that Helen used her experience as a disabled individual in America to make a difference for others with disabilities. She did not want others to have the same isolating experience that she did. This image tells us as the audience that Keller had a way of connecting with people young and old despite her own limitations. As happy as she looks in the photo, the little boy looks happy and content as well; it appears that they had a special connection. Beckwith explains that “As a deaf-blind individual who overcame the prisons of darkness and silence, Helen held optimism close to her soul. For her, optimism was a way of life, a means to survive, and a force that moves worlds” (Beckwith 2018).(2) She also includes a quote from Helen herself saying, “So, I try to make the light in others’ eyes my sun, the music in others’ ears my symphony, the smile on others’ lips my happiness.” This photo by Ed Ford truly captures that attitude of optimism that Helen held. We can see how Helen lived by her motto that she found happiness in others’ happiness through this image. We can see on Donald’s’ face that he felt very comfortable with her, as well. I notice that there is not much emphasis on the background of this photo—Helen and Donald are t

he focal points. The photographer, Ed Ford did that because he wanted viewers to focus on the facial expressions and body language of Helen and Donald to help them get a sense of their relationship and individual personalities. In addition, the picture is pretty close up. It does not show the environment around them or even Helen’s entire body. He wanted them to notice the little things about their relationship including their holding hands, and the smiles on their faces. One part of Helen’s life that is not on display here is her political activism. Many people do not know that she was a serious political thinker who made significant contribution to socialism theory and practice and influenced a Marxist understanding of disability oppression and liberation (Rosenthal).

We are familiar with Helen Keller as a symbol of perseverance, but she is so much more than that. Many stories make it seem that Helen was “rescued” by her teacher, Anne Sullivan, but that is not the case. While they worked closely together, Anne was more of a helper to Helen rather than a savior.

Rosenthal explains Helen’s extensive work for the socialist party saying, “many recognized her as one of the most dedicated and effective propagandists of the socialist cause. She wrote regular columns in the Socialist Party press; she went on nonstop lecture tours across the country; she supported and popularized all the major strikes and industrial battles of the day” (Rosenthal)(4). Osgood promotes the book, The Radical Lives of Helen Keller which seeks to debunk the myths of her floating around today. He says, “According to Neilsen, the enduring public image of Helen Keller falls way short of authentically reflecting the remarkably rich and complex intellectual, political, and personal interests and accomplishments of this international renowned American” (Osgood 2005). (3) It is troublesome that schools only teach Helen Keller as a moral lesson about overcoming hardship. Even this photo does not give us any inclination that Helen was more than a symbol of perseverance for young people. Why is there so much about her that is left out? It is up to us to break down these falsehoods that have been spread for decades.

Footnotes:

1. Johnson-Thompson, Keller, and Laura C. Beckwith. “The Strength, Courage, and Mission of Helen Keller: Part I.” Insight: The Journal of the American Society of Ophthalmic Registered Nurses 43, no. 3 (April 1 2018): 32–33. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=sso&db=c8h&AN=130672179&site=eds-live.
2. Johnson-Thompson, Keller, and Laura C. Beckwith. “The Strength, Courage, and Mission of Helen Keller: Part II.” Insight: The Journal of the American Society of Ophthalmic Registered Nurses 43, no. 3 (Summer 2018): 33–35. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=sso&db=c8h&AN=130672179&site=eds-live.

3. Osgood, Robert L. “The Radical Lives of Helen Keller.” Sign Language Studies 5, no. 2 (Winter, 2005): 248-255. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1353/sls.2005.0005. https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/radical-lives-helen-keller/docview/222655086/se-2?accountid=13793.

4. Rosenthal, Keith. “The Politics of Helen Keller”. International Socialist Review. https://isreview.org/issue/96/politics-helen-keller/index.html