Cedric Hammond, Black DeafDisabled prison activist, passes away

Last year, “The Daily Moth” released a video project covering major issues with an inmate interpreting program set up in the Louisiana prison system. One of the people I interviewed was Cedric Hammond. He unexpectedly passed away last week from heart failure. He was 61.

I want to show you a clip from the video project so you can remember who he was.

[Video clip]

Cedric touched many people’s lives. One of them is Scott Huffman, a hearing man who met Cedric in a Louisiana prison in 2009-2010. He didn’t know ASL until he met him and transformed his life and he is an ASL interpreter today. Here are video comments from him.

Scott Huffman: In about 2010 or 2009, I went to the state prison in the Louisiana state prison system. I was trying to figure out life in the state prison, and I noticed that every day a group of deaf men would go outside to the yard and chat with each other. Before that, I had never met a deaf person so sign language was new for me to watch. I was really fascinated. I would stand out there every day just watching them, trying to figure out what they were signing. I had no idea about sign language. In the dorm I found a piece of paper that had the alphabet hand shapes so I learned the alphabet. I kept going outside to stand there and observe the deaf group chatting. One day, Cedric, a deaf man who was signing, was chatting with another person. I was standing there watching them. Cedric looked at me and said “What’s up?” so I went ahead and walked up to him. That was my opportunity to meet a deaf person. He looked at me questioningly. I was like a robot signing. I fingerspelled “like your hand”. Cedric laughed and repeated what I said in sign. “You like my hands. Beautiful, right?” He kissed his hand. “Do you mean you like sign language?” At that time I had no idea how to sign when he asked that question. I nodded my head in agreement and didn’t know what he was signing. From that day onward, we became close friends. Every day I would meet him and he would teach me ASL.

Alex: Both of them were released in 2013 and they joined HEARD’s work to support deaf prisoners.

Scott: I think overall he was in prison for around 17 or 18 years, so his experience was rich. He saw and experienced a lot. Discrimination, miscommunication, and more. It was his goal for other deaf people who entered the prison system to have a better experience and communication access like a VP and so on. He always advocated for that. He was involved in every project, and he put his heart into projects. Cedric in overall was a good person, and a good friend. He was friendly. He always smiled and made people laugh, always. Anytime he showed up in a room, people would be thrilled to see Cedric and chat with him and enjoy his company. I will miss him. Cedric gave me a gift. I will always, for the rest of my life, cherish sign language. He was the first person who taught me ASL. I will never forget that. I will always remember Cedric. I love him.

Alex: Thank you for that touching tribute, Scott. Talila Lewis, who is an attorney and the co-founder of HEARD, gave a statement to “The Daily Moth.” Talila also shared pictures and a video clip.

[Text statement with images of Cedric’s work with HEARD]

”HEARD is deeply saddened by the death of Cedric Herman Hammond of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Cedric was a beloved member of HEARD's family for almost a decade and we are honored to have experienced his warm love, incredible humor (and smile), and to learn from his wisdom.

As a proud Black DeafDisabled man, Cedric served as an advocate for oppressed people his entire life. As a formerly incarcerated person, he was especially focused on supporting and advancing the rights of all disabled people affected by mass incarceration. He was committed to ensuring that future generations of Black disabled people did not experience the same injustices he faced during his lifetime in education, legal, medical, and penal systems, among others.

Cedric supported HEARD on numerous projects and workshops over the past seven years. While incarcerated, Cedric supported HEARD by engaging in self-advocacy and supporting other deaf/disabled people to address myriad injustices they faced in Louisiana’s prison system. Cedric was a life-long learner and community advocate. He joined HEARD’s Public Education Team in the fall of 2020 and spent his last months sharing his wisdom and life experiences and also engaging in deep thought, study and conversation about racial justice, disability justice, and abolition with HEARD’s Public Education Team.

Over the course of his lifetime, he taught hundreds, if not thousands, of people sign language. Many of those he shared this incalculable gift with have attributed their involvement in and contributions to deaf signing communities to Cedric’s ongoing investment in their growth and development.

HEARD is humbled and honored to have been able to learn from and grow with Cedric. We will remember Cedric Herman Hammond as a fierce lover and fighter, and a beloved Black DeafDisabled leader whose advocacy and sacrifices have moved HEARD’s work forward, improved all movements for social justice, and have and will continue to save and improve the lives of multiply-marginalized Black and disabled people.”

Alex: Clearly, Cedric is someone who made an impact. Talila said there will be a viewing for Cedric this Friday evening from 5 to 7 pm at the Carney and Mackey Funeral Home at 1576 Robin Street in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. His graveside memorial service is on Saturday morning and he will be laid to rest next to his little sister.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-UhU8qoKKI

https://www.dailymoth.com/blog/louisiana-inmate-interpreting-program