James Francisco Bonilla, a retired Hamline University professor and a longtime advocate for diversity and inclusion, has published a new memoir, An Eye for An I: Growing Up With Blindness, Bigotry and Family Mental Illness.
The book follows Bonilla’s journey from a blind Puerto Rican boy in New York to an educator and a national voice for justice. Born with congenital cataracts, Bonilla had limited vision until a racially motivated assault at age nine left him legally blind. Despite challenges at home and in school, he found solace in nature, which led him towards healing and advocacy.
"Weaving together a poignant narrative made of personal vignettes, James Francisco Bonilla tells of obstacles overcome, insights gained, and lives transformed by his commitment to social justice and self-understanding,” said Beverly Daniel Tatum, PhD, author of Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? And Other Conversations About Race. “With its intersectional analysis of racism, mental illness, and disability, this memoir brings a fresh and inspiring voice to the world of social justice literature.”
Bonilla taught at Hamline University from 1996-2014. He taught in the School of Education, the School of Public Administration and the School of Business working with both undergraduate and graduate students An Eye for An I: Growing Up With Blindness, Bigotry and Family Mental Illness will be available Nov. 4. Find it at a bookstore near you.