An Eye for an I

Growing Up with Blindness, Bigotry, and Family Mental Illness

James Francisco Bonilla

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English

University of Minnesota Press
04 November 2025

Autobiography: general; Memoirs; Disability: social aspects; Social welfare & social services; Political activism

The personal story of a blind Puerto Rican boy in New York who transcends a harrowing childhood to become a lifelong advocate for social justice

""Jovencito, it's going to be lonely being different and yet strong in this world,"" James Francisco Bonilla's grandmother told him when he was ten. He had come home after defending himself against a bully who had threatened him with violence, making it clear that he didn't care that James was blind. But despite the isolation James felt in childhood, he would come to commit his life to leveraging his differences and strengths toward a collective fight for justice. James's memoir, An Eye for an I, is an inspiring account of how he found a path through his own suffering to make a difference for others.

Born with congenital cataracts, James had limited vision in his right eye and none in his left. At age nine, after a classmate hurled a horseshoe at his face in a racially motivated assault, James's right eye was injured and he became legally blind. At home, too, he feared physical violence, experiencing the unpredictable outbursts of a single mother suffering from severe mental illness. Throughout his youth as a Puerto Rican New Yorker, James was continually failed by educational systems that exposed him to one abuse after another. Searching for relief and inspiration, he discovered an unexpected solace in the natural world, spiritual encounters with Mother Earth that led him toward both personal healing and advocacy.

At nineteen, a breakthrough in medical technology restored the sight in his right eye, and James recognized his unique perspective on the struggles of the disabled and marginalized in American life-and his intense will to make a difference. He seeks to understand generational trauma, and in documenting his growth-physically, mentally, and spiritually-his memoir exemplifies the introspection necessary to participate in truly equitable and effective movement building. An Eye for an I presents both James and his aggressors with refreshing nuance and humility, inviting readers to empathize, be inspired, and consider their own potential to be of service in a broken, yet beautiful, world.

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By: James Francisco Bonilla
Imprint: University of Minnesota Press
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 210mm, Width: 140mm, Spine: 9mm
Weight: 227g
ISBN: 9781517919146
ISBN 10: 1517919142
Pages: 168
Publication Date: 04 November 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

James Francisco Bonilla is a New Yorkborn Puerto Rican writer and retired professor of Hamline University in St. Paul. He has written and presented nationally and internationally on diversity, cultural competence, and leadership, especially on how to diversify environmental organizations.

Reviews for An Eye for an I: Growing Up with Blindness, Bigotry, and Family Mental Illness

""In An Eye for an I, James Francisco Bonilla shares his journey through discrimination and misunderstanding, navigating life with blindness and a troubled single parent. His powerful narrative exposes systemic injustices affecting Latino children in education, challenging stereotypes while advocating for equity. This inspiring memoir encourages a new generation to confront biases and champion social justice."" - Dr. Madeline L. Peters, disability consultant ""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. 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."" - Beverly Daniel Tatum, PhD, author of Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? And Other Conversations About Race ""The intersection of being blind and struggling with one's mental health is rarely acknowledged. Candidly sharing the discrimination he has faced and the toll it can take, James Francisco Bonilla shows that hope and healing can be found through advocacy and community."" - Sue Abderholden, executive director, NAMI Minnesota ""Whether you come to this book for insights about living with disability, the impacts of racism and trauma, or the emotional journey to healthy manhood, you will be captivated by the vivid tenderness of a masterful storyteller and inspired by the lessons about the resilience of the human spirit."" - Steven Botkin, founder and former executive director, Men's Resources International ""An Eye for an I will be an inspiration to many young people, and James Francisco Bonilla's legacy will continue across generations. I have always admired and respected his leadership and vision, and his memoir is the essence of what I still seek to share with youth in all communities."" - J. Herman Blake, professor emeritus, Iowa State University