James.Womack@f14.n300.z1.fidonet.org (James Womack) (11/19/90)
Index Number: 11830
[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]
However, your experience is yours. It does not apply to all
other deaf people. Nor does mine. Family background includes
degree of parental involvement, whether or not the parents
were deaf, whether or not they signed at home, whether or not
they used ASL or a coded English sign system and so on. For
every person who is like you, there is one or more who
resents the English only focus they were forced through.
AT ASDB, we keep getting mainstreamed kids whose parents
finally realize how restricted the educational environment is
for their kids. AT PCC and the UA, I bump into deaf people
who repeatedly say they wish to God they had learned ASL
earlier now that they see how it makes it easier for them to
learn. Too many blame their parents and schools for their
plight. They do not see that these persons did the best they
could the best way they believed was right. They are so
bitter. And their numbers are increasing. Nonetheless, there
will always be that core who never really become a true part
of the deaf culture experience or the deaf community They
will see things contrary to what I have talked about here.
Being a part of the deaf community does not mean closing off
to the remainder of the world. It means having a cultural
identity. Birds of a feather do flock together after all.
What it should also mean is that we deafies start taking
control of our own lives. We should be putting ourselves in
positions in educational programs and other aspects of our
lives and cutting down on the monopoly that hearies have in
controling so many aspects of our lives. We need deaf
superintendents, deaf principals, deaf post-secondary
instructors and program coordinators. We need to be more a
part of the agencies that evoke policy about our affairs.
It is time we begin doing that.
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Internet: James.Womack@f14.n300.z1.fidonet.orgVixen@f11.n203.z1.fidonet.org (Vixen) (11/20/90)
Index Number: 11888
[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]
Hi James,
While like Annie, I worry aboout labels working against us all,
whoever we are or whatever problems we have, I also know, we do
need "frames of reference!" My hope is for names, labels and
terminologies that let us know what is going on without "hurting."
It really doesn't bother me for a person to refer to him or herself
or others as a "deafie" as a means of understanding anymore than I
mind being refered to as a "blink" or a hearing impaired person. It
is simply a means of understanding identification and recognition.
I do get upset when these labels come across as a means of
separation and hurtfulness. For example, it is one thing to
identify yourself as a deafie and another person as a hearie. I
only feel anquish when I come across deafies who refer to hearing
persons as "Those stupid hearing people." Although, I have been
taught to understand some of the anger that exists within the "deaf
community" towards hearing people and of course, with my own
hearing rather rapidly on the downswing, I have had my very own
multiple negative experiences with "hearing people."
I don't think it is unusual that deaf people would group together
anymore than it would be for others who share a common life bond. I
just think it is important that we also live outside of those
"groups" avoiding the self limiting of our own lives.
I suppose I think I am liberal because I am an "in the middle
person", niether accepted by deaf culture because I was born
hearing and can still use assistive devices and yet I am seen by
normally hearing people as closer to deaf, even if I can hear
through these devices and often receive some of the very same
treatment from people that "deafies" receive. Although, in my own
mind, I feel more and more kinship towards the deaf community.
I recognize and respect the deaf community and deaf culture and my
only concerns are for those who limited their life experience
within this shelter and who put up walls between the deaf community
and the rest of the world.
On the other hand, I am not really much excited by hearing people
who feel that deaf people need them to do everything or "take care
of them."
As for people like me, I guess we are stuck in no mans land between
both worlds. But, I like to think that this may not necessarily be
a bad thing and perhaps people like me can help by being bridges
now and then and remind everyone that it is one world afterall.
Keepin' the faith!
. Vixen
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