Stu.Turk@f26.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Stu Turk) (06/28/90)
Index Number: 8963 [This is from the Silent Talk Conference] > am not h/i? I have signed with some h/i folks around > here and as soon as they find out I'm not deaf, they > get angry. They tell me I don't know what it's like, > I will never know, and basically "you're an outsider, get away > from me" type attitude. > > I'm making an effort to communicate and understand; > do you have any advice? = You will find people like that in every disabled group. Some people in wheelchairs think blind people should get out of their way; some blind people look down their noses at deaf people (and even deaf/blind people); some deaf people won't talk (or sign) to people who have hearing, even if they are hard of hearing. My personal opinion is that such people are jagoffs and should be ignored. I sure wouldn't go out of my way to communicate with someone who thinks I'm "not deaf enough". I wonder if they are the same people who complain they can't get interpreters? -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!129!26!Stu.Turk Internet: Stu.Turk@f26.n129.z1.fidonet.org
Cherryl.Marlan@f4.n377.z1.fidonet.org (Cherryl Marlan) (07/04/90)
Index Number: 9030 >> am not h/i? I have signed with some h/i folks around >> here and as soon as they find out I'm not deaf, they >> get angry. They tell me I don't know what it's like, >> I will never know, and basically "you're an outsider, > get out of their way; some blind people look down their > noses at deaf people (and even deaf/blind people); some > deaf people won't talk (or sign) to people who have hearing, > even if they are hard of hearing. From my point of view, it seems the 'deaf snobs' far outweigh the good folks......but every once in a while I find one who is is delighted that someone would take an interest in them, and it makes it all worth while. Cherryl -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!377!4!Cherryl.Marlan Internet: Cherryl.Marlan@f4.n377.z1.fidonet.org
ps299bd@sdcc6.ucsd.edu (Romy Spitz) (07/09/90)
Index Number: 9069 In article <12615@bunker.UUCP> Cherryl.Marlan@f4.n377.z1.fidonet.org writes: >Index Number: 9030 > > >> am not h/i? I have signed with some h/i folks around > >> here and as soon as they find out I'm not deaf, they > >> get angry. They tell me I don't know what it's like, > >> I will never know, and basically "you're an outsider, > > get out of their way; some blind people look down their > > noses at deaf people (and even deaf/blind people); some > > deaf people won't talk (or sign) to people who have hearing, > > even if they are hard of hearing. > > From my point of view, it seems the 'deaf snobs' far outweigh >the good folks......but every once in a while I find one who is >is delighted that someone would take an interest in them, and it >makes it all worth while. > >Cherryl > Maybe I have been lucky in meeting the good folks, but I seldom find myself chatting with a "Deaf snob". Usually I am pretty much up front with the people I chat with. At the point of introductions I always tell them I am HI but hearing minded and that I am a student of ASL. That way they have no false expectations of me...and they are usually willing to give me the benefit of the doubt. Most of them are happy to chat a little while at least, and for those few who are abrupt or rude...you just end the conversation. Many times they also tell me that I will never "umderstand" their culture from the inside, and they are probably right, but, as I tell them, that won't stop me from being interested in their culture or keep me from asking questions to learn more. Besides, I like the language! Romy Spitz
Ann.Parsons@f204.n260.z1.fidonet.org (Ann Parsons) (07/19/90)
Index Number: 9312 Hi Romy, >> >> am not h/i? I have signed with some h/i folks around >> >> here and as soon as they find out I'm not deaf, they >> >> get angry. They tell me I don't know what it's like, >> >> I will never know, and basically "you're an outsider, >> > get out of their way; some blind people look down their >> > noses at deaf people (and even deaf/blind people); some >> > deaf people won't talk (or sign) to people who have hearing, >> > even if they are hard of hearing. >> >> From my point of view, it seems the 'deaf snobs' far outweigh >>the good folks......but every once in a while I find one who is >>is delighted that someone would take an interest in them, and it >>makes it all worth while. >> >>Cherryl Cheryl's got an interesting point here, though I think that the problem isn't necessarily snobbishness but fear. I know some deaf folk too and they aren't snobs. I think it depends on the individuals. People from The Mainline in Philadelphia look down their noses at working class people. Some blind people won't have anything to do with other blind people. I think that all snobs deaf or otherwise are afraid they'll discover that they aren't the only fish in the pond. Though I have to admit that living in an insular culture accounts for a good deal of this kind of behavior. It's unfortunate. >"Maybe I have been lucky in meeting the good folks, but I seldom >"find myself chatting with a "Deaf snob". Usually I am pretty much >"up front with the people I chat with. At the point of >"introductions I always tell them I am HI but hearing minded and >"that I am a student of ASL. That way they have no false >"expectations of me...and they are usually willing to give me the >"benefit of the doubt. Most of them are happy to chat a little >"while at least, and for those few who are abrupt or rude...you >"just end the conversation. Many times they also tell me that I >"will never "umderstand" their culture from the inside, and they >"are probably right, but, as I tell them, that won't stop me from >"being interested in their culture or keep me from asking questions >"to learn more. >"Besides, I like the language! >" Romy, I think that your attitude is the right one. Just don't talk to the people that won't talk to you, just as if they were hearing people. I find that among "normal people" there are some that will talk to me and others who will not. I just talk to those I feel have my same interests and like conversation just as I do. When I do talks about what it's like to be blind before school groups, I demonstrate the sighted guide technique. I also tell the students that they should ask if the person needs help before offering assistance. I conclude by saying something like, "You may get a "Yes please", a "No thanks, I've got it." or you may get a "Leave me alone."" The people who say the latter are just like you, they have bad days too, and on those days they don't feel like being polite. <grin> So, anyway, these are my two cents about the issue. Ann P. -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!260!204!Ann.Parsons Internet: Ann.Parsons@f204.n260.z1.fidonet.org