Revelation and Vision of the Future - Signing Community
Watch Amy making a revelation and sharing her personal vision of the future - Signing Community.
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5:46 minutes long
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July 13th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
[…] Amy Cohen Enfron’s revelation of her former founding member role and acknowledgement of infiltration of Deafhood into DBC: http://blog.deafread.com/abcohende/2008/07/13/revelation-and-vision-of-the-future-signing-community/ […]
July 13th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
I’m glad you included lots of different deaf people under the term Deafhood!
I am becoming curious about DBC and why people are so frustrated with it. Is it really that hard-line?
At my school, we teach both hearing and Deaf children in ASL and English. We continually look at new ways to best provide education to both groups at once. It’s very interesting what comes out.
Joseph
July 13th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
I don’t think any of what you said any of us would disagree with. Go for it, Amy! The more people involved in creating awareness of the importance of signing for Deaf babies (and children and adults), the better!
July 13th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Amy,
As always, beautiful ASL demonstration at work! Your revealation is important and necessary in order to identify a problem that is solvable. Appreciated your vision of the future. The hope for integrity, dignity and respect. Thanks for sharing. I posted my insights on deafhood at http://deafhoodvsdeafhoodfoundation.blogspot.com/ with hope to shed bright lights as well. There is hope.
July 13th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Joseph, yes. It was only the Deafhood leaders’ way, with no compromise or respect for the diversity of other members’ opinions.
July 13th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
Wow Amy!!! Thanks so much!!! ILY!!!
July 13th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
Amy….
WELL BEAUTIFUL SAID! That’s what I like to see that direction that should be taken. All along I’ve been saying in Mishka’s blog about Deafhood and DBC shouldn’t be mixed at all because that has nothing to do with Deaf babies/children.
All we need to concentrate on helping the hearing parents of Deaf babies/children with several options that they can choose and abide by their decisions whether we like it or not. As long as we know we have already offer the options, that would be a great feeling that we do our best to our abilities as we can. That’s plain and simple.
Thank you, Amy!
Misha
July 13th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
Comment »
July 13th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
#5 The DBC is set up as a coalition, meaning anyone who agrees with basic mission is welcome to join in
You are setting up a situation where the DBC leaders are “damned if they do, and damned if they don’t.”
They have done NOTHING wrong. They are entitled to their own personal views. They should be CONGRATULATED for keeping the mission statement of DBC general enough to welcome a bigger sector of the community.
July 13th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Wow. First, Barry, then Anne Marie, then Misha, then now Amy Cohen. Really, if you look at dbc website: http://www.dbausa.org They never mentioned any word of deafhood in their site. If few people from the DBC board believes in deafhood then that’s their business.
Instead of being bitter and using crab theory to pull DBC down just because of their successful conference , try to congratulate them instead of being bitter or finding loopholes with their organization.
DBC Core team and the volunteers did their very best to bring a message to AGB and provided free workshops. What more they can ask for?
The only negative thing I see about DBC is the due process that I think they need to work on it. As soon as they set up the due process, it will take time for them to be a better organization where people won’t be too bitter anymore about DBC.
July 13th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
Make it short. I’m at the airport. Whatever you make the presentation, I believe in you. Whether if I agree or not, I still believe in u. Can’t watch the video via t mobile. Ill be out of the loop for two or three days. Duh……
July 13th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Thank you, Amy! This vlog is so beautiful, it nearly brought tears to my eyes. I am in complete agreement with the original conception of DBC, as a movement and mechanism to ally parents, professionals, and deaf people to provide access to ASL for deaf babies. I pray that this vision and intention becomes a reality despite the shifting and confusion of focus by the remaining core members.
July 13th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
#12
There was no shifting or confusion. The DBC’s mission statement is quite clear and the conference was a huge success. DBC has a bright future.
What a very small number of people write on websites will not sidetrack the DBC from its good work, especially if those small number of people are unable to see the big picture and they distort things by taking things out of context and using manipulative propaganda techniques.
The leaders of the DBC have done NOTHING wrong.
July 13th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Hi, Amy,
thank you for making this clear and simple, and yet powerful! I am saddened to see such situation like this. I am hoping for DBC to change their ways to focus more on babies and signing alone.
thanks again!!
deafk
July 13th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Thank you, Bob… I agree with you. Leaders are entitled to their own opinions. How those opinions are presented to the public and/or how they are kept to themselves is important - we all agree that Brian Riley did a less than shining job of first impressions, but the dye is cast, we can only go from here. I just wish people were more compassionate and refrained from all the poisonous mud-slinging in which they partook in these past couple of weeks.
I do want to present an argument for the Deafhood/DBC overlap. First of all, when a minority group has been oppressed for so long, sometimes we become habituated in oppression… we may forget - or maybe never have learned - how to speak out. The journey through understanding one’s own deafhood - their own personal situation and experiences and identity - actually helps us to realize that a)this is what oppression that happened to me and b)this oppression should not continue…. especially on the scale that is does. Ask anyone who works in public school system with deaf children and many, if not most, will tell you horror stories about what is *continuing* to go on in deaf education and the absence of bilingual early intervention programs that *continue* to be absent.
What deafhood can do is actually empower deaf people to take action, to become involved, to become passionate to work for a better future for deaf children. I honestly don’t see what the contradiction is. Why are people so appalled over DBC and the Deafhood Foundation having links with each other.
Should DBC and Deafhood Foundation be seperate entities? Ok, sure - I’m totally cool with that. DBC really should focus on drawing parents with deaf children into their ranks… hearing parents really probably don’t have much interest in deafhoood, anyway - they’re focused on their getting what’s best for their kids… in other words - the parents are most likely to be focused on… hmmm, PARENTHOOD!
For those who misunderstood Deafhood or the workshops, it is NOT a militant group of deaf of deaf, monolinguistic ASL-users who all graduated from a state school for the deaf and attended Gally… it is a training workshop - a cultural and history workshop, or book if you read the book, for all of us who have some degree of hearing loss and who may (or may not) share some of the same experiences as other people with hearing losses. What deafhood doesn’t do for hearing parents, *does* do for deaf people… strives to educate, inspire and empower deaf to get involved in social/political activism for a better future for deaf children and the deaf community as a whole.
Are DBC and Deafhood mutually exclusive? No… I really don’t think so. I think both are needed… one drives the other. Deaf people are the ones with a strong vested interested in getting early language exposure to deaf babies. Why? I think of a time I met a 7 year old deaf child in a classroom I worked in who had an expressive vocabulary of maybe 2 signs… Knowing that, cognitively and linguistically, he will never catch up enraged me for two reasons a) it was mental retardation that was entirely preventable had he and his family had more resources, and b) that could’ve been me… I could’ve been born into a similar situation. That could’ve been any of us here in blogosphere who are deaf. Unfortunately, it happened to many who may not have the language skills to participate in this blog/vlog - but worse, it continues to happen.
Folks, I’m asking - keep your eyes on the prize. If you don’t know how to get to the prize or even what the prize is, maybe reading “In Search of Deafhood” or attending a workshop might give you some insight as to how.
Respectfully,
Starbeam227
July 13th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
To Ben Smith #10,
Excuse me…..next time please don’t point your finger at me. Get our names straighten out since I knew you mean Mishka. Get it? Thanks.
About your comment, Ben….no, we didn’t point at Genie for butchering Deafhood. Where have they said about Genie? No, they mean Ella and David E. who did that deed. They must have messed it up a big time. They need to own up to what they stand for. That’s it.
M-I-S-H-A, what does it spell? MISHA!
July 13th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Brance,
This is Barry. I watched your vlog and felt your disappointment. I know and understand what you are feeling after I poured my heart and souls into DBC and its cause during my four months tenure with them only to be left out to hang and dry in the end. If you view my vlog you will know what happened when I learned that I was not the only victim. I was about ready to accept what happaned because I thought I was the odd ball. You can imagine my disappointment when I learned that there were seven or eight other individuals who had similar experience as I did. Naturally, I wanted it to stop and end with me. I did not want them to victimize any more individuals. I gave them and everybody plenty of time to come clean but they called my bluff and doubted I had a backbone.
Regardless, it has nothing to do with personal vendetta. Feel free and contact me directly at drhocokan@gmail.com if you still feel that the AIM document is inappropriate for posting. To date nobody has asked me or DBCFacts.com to remove any of the evidences. I am mindful of how you and others might feel. I can have it removed if you feel it is inappropriate. Email me if you want to make such request. Feel free and fume your feelings at me. I am equally as disappointed about what DBC did to many former founding members and myself. It did not need to happen.
Mind you, these few evidences were only extracted out of 11 AIM meetings and over 500 emails, which I have not yet screened. One can not further destroy what has already been destroyed.
Respectfully Yours,
Barry
July 13th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Amy, sigh… you made me cry through your beautiful vlog and the person you are. You’ve explained it so clearly the difference. I’m so sorry that you had to resigned which you are one of my people in my book to be one leader one day as well. You make everyone feel at ease and explaining the easiest way we all can understand. No hatred or anything. We do do do need people with a heart like yours in the deaf community. Glad you are back and sharing your heart. I wish all could go to the right path, as children are so innocent in all of this and especially the hearing parents are not confident as we are. We have to go down to their level, leave personal issues aside.
Amy one more thing, you are an amazing person why?? I love your interviews and vlogs, you are the best!!! keep it up you got my immediate support whatever you decide.
we need more people with the heart of gold like AMy to make the world a better place to live happily with diverse background. Acceptance and Respect others!!
July 13th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Bob,
Yes… Wow. Thrilling? No. It is a sad experience. I was very committed to DBC and its original message. Other founding members were equally as committed. The brush offs should not have happened to any of us.
DBC’s web site does not disclose anything about deafhood because they knew it would shed conflicting and confusing messages. They were mostly worried about how AG Bell would view them and their web site. However behind the scene, deafhood foundation were working every mechanisms inside DBC. Everybody inside current DBC Core Member were trained by Deafhood Foundation. Currently none of their core group are untrained. I was the only untrained member while my tenure with them lasted.
Yes. If few or all people from DBC (by the way there are no boards in DBC) believes in deafhood then it is within their right. But to incorporate Deafhood into DBC without being transparent is why the conflict happened. Their radical views against CI and Oralism are hidden and not disclosed publicly. On the outside they wanted everybody to believe that they have nothing against CI and Oralism but on the inside they speak ill of CI and Oralism. Can’t have it both ways. They need to come clean with everybody. Once they do, we all will be able to decide if we support them or not. But they should deceive the public, especially hearing parents of deaf children. They should not act like the wolves inside a sheep clothing. It will backfire when the hearing parents learn about the true characters… that of wolves inside sheep clothes. This is a no no as far as public relations is concerned.
I, for one am looking forward to due process. It is about time they consider it. I pushed hard and long for due process in DBC but to no avail. They simply didn’t want it.
July 13th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
From what I have learned, Amy and Elizabeth were in DBC core group for 3 months at the longest late last summer and early fall during the initial set up of DBC. They quit before they the group had a chance to really work through things or even to get to know each other. Barry worked his way into DBC for not quite 2 months right before the conference. Please tell me how these people are all knowing about what the core leaders of DBC think or don’t think. How can they possible say that the core leaders’ personal views are reflective of each other. They are putting words in people’s mouths. They are spreading lies and inaccuracies. They are unethically taking portions of emails and AIMs and using them to spin into a mudslinging contest. They are taking one person’s comment on an AIM discussion and making it reflect the group. Come on!! Be careful what you read folks… DBC has one mission and that is….Deaf babies have a right to ASL from the start.
I certainly have had enough of this really immature behavior by a small group of people, including dr hokoman, who are out to make the whole Deaf Community look bad…..
Amy if you think you can do better than DBC and start a whole organization, then more power to you… Better get busy and hope you have some time to do this…takes more than just a few words to make it happen.
July 13th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Incorrect typo; But they should deceive the public, especially hearing parents of deaf children.
Correct Typo: But they should NOT deceive the public, especially hearing parents of deaf children.
July 13th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Also, I believe that both organization or whatever they want to be called is to listen to the diverse community what they feel or their frustrations not from their own belief. People like the former DBC Members that left are the people we need why?? they always listen to our concerns and suggestions which I haven’t even seen anyone from the current core DBC members hearing us out or even commenting without oppression. Sadly to say.
Hope something will come out better the next time around. We need to come together in Harmony.
Namaste,
Susan (Toronto, Ontario)
July 13th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Way to go!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks to Barry, Anne Marie, Misha and Amy!!!!
It definitely chilled my spine! And I agreed with Brance Long’s comment. Plane crashed.
and I believe in you, Amy.
July 13th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
At this moment. It’s useless to talk with DBC supporters. They are totally brainwashed by Deafhood cults. Let us wait and see, few months later. Karma will take care of this..
Thumbs up!
July 13th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
#19: “On the outside they wanted everybody to believe that they have nothing against CI and Oralism.”
NEVER, never have the DBC leaders attempted to hide any disdain for Oralism. Their last major press release spells this out in unmistakable terms.
The person who wrote the comment in #19 has ZERO credibility.
July 13th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Good vlog, Amy. Sometimes two missions don’t mix. They could co-exist for a period of time, but trying to become one… is often a challenge.
Nice vision as well :o)
July 13th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Comment »
July 13th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
My god… watching deafwomynpride is heartbreaking.
I spent all afternoon at the apartment pool with my family and my friends, talking about everything (no we did not talk about DBC/Deafhood…not part of our lives.) We discussed the reading grade level of hearing and deaf people which on the average is at elementary grade level, here in Indiana. I thought that DBC could change that, if Deafhood was kept separate from DBC. DBC could help increase parental involvement, etc.
Too late for DBC? I don’t know. We will find out soon enough… but I am sure there will be big changes in order for DBC to survive.
July 13th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
Video response to all commenters, especially for Brance and DeafWomynPride.
Comment »
Amy Cohen Efron
July 13th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
Response,
So I have zero credibility? That suits me just fine. I came into this world without it anyway. Most everybody don’t know who I was anyway so once again I started off with zero credibility anyway. Credibility does not make or break a man. It is the integrity that does.
Barry
July 13th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Amy, I love your comment.
July 13th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
“Zero credibility” does not mean that Number 19 lacks endorsement from others. It means that what he is saying simply DOES NOT MAKES SENSE.
Almost everything he says is full of contradictions and distortions. It is not credible.
July 13th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
Amy, Interesting commentary, you clearly explained to me what your vision of the future DBC will be…
I began to realize that your vision and my vision are different. I believe two things - first, the language can’t survive without culture, and secondly, Deaf people are unique cultural and linguistic minority rather than a disabled group.
DBC strongly encourages Deaf children to learn ASL as their native language and also learn English literacy in order to emulate the Bilingualism goal.
Deafhood strongly encourages Deaf children to understand that they are just simply human beings as equality to hearing children.
Also I believe that the major goal of the DBC should be focused on the Bilingualism with the minor goal applies Deafhood for helping to empower
Deaf children and their hearing parents.
Every visual learner needs a visual-based language and also needs to look up at the Deaf role model who happened to be ASL signer.
In the Dark Age of the Pure Oralism movement (1920’s), they removed the usage of the manual signs/ASL in their academic classrooms and also fired or forced many Deaf teachers, who were ASL users, into early retirements.
Recovering from the abusive years of the AGB’s misguided education philosophy, DBC restores ASL to Deaf children, so Deafhood restores Deaf Identify to Deaf children.
I felt concerned that eventually the DBC will restrictedly be focused on ONLY ONE AGENDA - BILINGUALISM. Comparing to the AGB organization, it has several agendas as such Speech and Listening therapy, AVT, Cochlear Implant. Communication Modes, etc
Yes, I still enjoyed learning your perspective difference from my perspective.
July 13th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
Hey Dr Hocokan!!!
Pls do NOT remove your (Dr. H) blogs and 5 videos! It was SO GOOD for us to know the DBC Facts!!! Thanks!
July 13th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
Amy, beautifully said, as people have to RESPECT other people’s choices of communication which can benefit everyone. I can’t change who I am and you can’t change me so go with the flow. We can’t go backwards to try to change the world but gracefully step by step in Harmony. Hope all of this will be resolved in time, we can do it.
Namaste,
Susan (Toronto)
July 13th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Identity politics by definition is totally different from a comprehensive educational philosophy. Let’s keep Deafhood out of DBC.
If Deafhood wants to take on AGBell in the future, teach empowerment workshops to members of NAD and members of DBC, that’s fine. Let’s have different and balanced leaders, though, and their goals separate.
Amy, you are a big supporter of cooperation and I see the diverse groups in the deaf communities agreeing to support one another in the future. Perhaps with help from your clarity of expression and sense of direction, it will happen.
July 13th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
Amy and Dr Hocokan
I believe that there is a possibility of two major problems that causes the frenzy DBC/Deafhood controversy.
First possible cause is that you showed upset over Mr Ripley’s letter in your vlog BEFORE the DBC conference began instead of AFTER the DBC conference.
I agreed with your commentary on Mr Ripley’s letter but I disagreed with your premature announcement that effectively destroys the good chance for the DBC leaders who wanted the first DBC conference to be successful. The DBC leaders spent many hours to work hard by containing the political damages during the DBC conference. I think it’s not fair for the DBC leaders.
Second possible cause is that Dr Hocokan His unprofessional behavior really blew out my mind. For example, he jumped to protest against the pro-Deafhood leaders of the DBC but later he admitted that he did not know much about Deafhood and even never read the Deafhood book before. Please don’t feed coals in the hot frenzy DBC/DEAFHOOD controversy for the sake of the Deaf people and hearing allies.
To Amy and Dr Hocokan, please remember that we are not perfect humans I can forgive you all, so it’s time for stopping the frenzy controversy.
July 13th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
I have never been in any DeafHood workshop or class yet. Don’t believe what this person is telling all of you that all the core group studied Deafhood. Three of us have not attended any Deafhood workshop but will when time comes.
And also, I founded Deaf Bilingual Coalition alone and when people tell you that they are former founder of DBC, they are not telling you the truth.
Please let’s focus on the Big picture, Deaf babies’ need of cognitive development skills early as possible which is more important than those people’s priority about his or her self-interest identity or ego.
Peace,
John
July 13th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
David,
It is a very perspective of you to bring up these possibilities that may have contributed to the frenzy.
Yes, I am a very forgiving person, and I can forgive people who are involved with the process, most importantly, I always learn from this process.
I want to have this chance to discuss about the timing to address the infamous editorial written by Mr. Riley. This editorial (it was not labeled as editorial until I addressed it, then Mr. Riley added these words hours later), was written during pre-conference, and posted on the FIRST day of the conference.
This decision was poorly made, and should never had happened at the first place. The editorial blog did not mention about the purpose of DBC conference, or emphasizing the positive slogan, “Signing from the start. Success for a lifetime!”, or anything else than “Gearing Up” which was filled with rhetoric that has NO place on this website.
I was compelled to respond but I waited for a few hours trying to make some sense why it had happened at the first place. I know that DBC core group is a fine group of professionals with good intentions. They are held accountable for allowing Mr. Riley to write this editorial. I realized that I cannot wait any longer, then I made a conscious decision to announce this.
I do not regret for making an announcement which you may feel that it was premature. For me, it was a necessary and timely announcement to show that the general public (including the Deaf community) that this kind of rhetoric is not acceptable and has no place in this website.
We all know that DBC conference was very successful, and I can certainly see that. There is no denying to this.
I do not believe that my ‘premature’ announcement effectively destroys the good chance. The accountability lies on the DBC media team who made this very regretful decision, which should never happen at the first place.
Yes, we are not perfect humans, and we all can forgive each other. Forgiving does not mean we cannot be accountable for what we do.
Amy
July 13th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
To Susan on No 35
“my, beautifully said, as people have to RESPECT other people’s choices of communication which can benefit everyone”
I am not sure to understand what the choices of communication means. Is it refers to the communication modes, then it does not much to do with the Deaf Bilingualism philosophy.
(Bi = two) +(lingual = language). ASL and English are only two recognized languages in Deaf Bilingualism Philosophy.
SEE, Cued Speech and SimCom are either communication modes or communication tools, not language.
July 13th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
Advocating to introduce sign language to Deaf babies, but depriving them of opportunity for self-discovery through introduction of culture, history and traditions is an interesting paradox.
Like a commenter (I believe David Ennis) said above, you cannot separate culture from language.
If you believe that introducing sign language early on, don’t you think introducing them to understand themselves early on is good, no?
Mixing two concepts: Deafhood and DBC, you Amy said in your vlog, would lead to confusion… Yet, you fail to provide further explanation to support your suggestion that it would lead to confusion. Yes, you explained the difference between them two, but you did not explain how having both them would lead to confusion.
I would think that a journey of any kind starting early on would be good. How could a journey toward self-enlightenment be a bad thing is beyond me.
July 13th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
Thanks for sharing with us. Now GOOD BYE, DBC! I was never IMPRESSED with DBC. They’re looney tunes.
July 13th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
John,
How is it possible for you to allow Deafhood Foundation to hijack DBC movement without first understanding what Deafhood Foundation teaches? You, of all people, claim to be the sole founder of DBC and yet you don’t know what Deafhood Foundation teaches? How is that possible?
I also found it rather odd for you to say that you, alone, founded Deaf Bilingual Coalition. You mean to tell us that the coalition was in fact just you, yourself holding your right hand with your left hand without others’ help. If so, why call it coalition? If it is the case of your right hand holding your left hand, alone without the help of a coalition then it is not a coalition.
I had my focus on the BIG picture because you told me to stay focused on signs for deaf babies. But what did you do yourself? You opened the door and invited Deafhood Foundation in and allowed them to infiltrate deafhood into DBC, producing conflicting messages for everybody to see. So, who was not really focused?
Barry
July 13th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
Brenster,
Confusion is about two different kinds of rhetoric (ASL for deaf babies, and deafhood) sends out inconsistent messages.
It is my understanding that DBC is about signing for deaf babies, and the website emphasizes that. No where on the website mentions about Deafhood.
The infamous Riley’s editorial, “Gearing Up” - tell me which rhetoric belongs to? DBC or Deafhood?
If that belongs to DBC, then my understanding of DBC is not the same as I thought it was initially.
Amy
July 13th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Comment »
July 13th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
Comment »
July 13th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
Hi Everyone,
Please check out my blog,“Amy Cohen Efron: Come Clean and ‘Signing’ Community.” it should appear on DeafRead by now.
Aidan
July 13th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
People, don’t lose hope. It is good that this conflict of interest came to light- I was actually dismayed and embarrassed to hear about the protest against AGB partly (was it in VA?) because there were no clear indications that DBC had tried to set up some kind of due process or some kind of “win/win” meeting with AGB and partly because I had a first-hand account of seeing several AGB members signing (thanks to the younger generation who a few years before insisted at a conference that AGB stop demonizing ASL and figure out a way to co-exist as in bilingualism). Ever since then, due to first impressions, I’ve looked at DBC with skepticism and suspicions that there were probably some divisive identity politics going on. That still didn’t keep me from being surprised at what was being revealed lately and made me upset to see that they were disrespecting Amy, Anne Marie, and Mishka who are all brillant women with great integrity. I hope DBC takes up the accountability and make a public apology on deafread.com (and a private apology to each of the former DBCs.)
Due to these revelations, either one of the three things will probably happen- the current DBC leaders will have a change of rhetoric and perspective, or they will eventually be replaced with people who can separate the two, or someone else will set up another- and more professional- “DBC”, independently from CAD and Deafhood. That is why we all should not be worried- worry is a waste of energy, think of what can be done. Deafwomynpride, I do believe you can still go ahead, with your comrades, to set up a “chapter”- maybe call it a slightly different name, but the mission would be the same- promoting ASL for deaf babies for success. Go for it!
July 13th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
Jon,
There’s some really LOUD noises during your comment while you are signing…
Did someone use the kitchen or something?
July 13th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
John,
None of us core team members needed to go to the Deafhood workshops. We got a lot of intensive training from the DH leaders within the DBC. You know it. Your blogs/vlogs show the Deafhood theme frequently.
I am not against Deafhood. I am not against DBC.. All I want is transparency that DBC has two different agendas. For some reason, DBC is still refusing to acknowledge the deafhood part. To this day, my question. ‘Why are they hiding Deafhood agenda?’ remains unanswered.
July 13th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
CLICK ME
July 13th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Thanks, Amy. (*woohoo* I understood most of it!)
July 13th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
Jon..
ZZZZZ… which do you support Deaf cult “Deafhood” OR Diversity “all”??
That is simple. No need to explain.
Wake up!
Dan
July 13th, 2008 at 10:19 pm
This is for Dan,
Comment »
July 13th, 2008 at 10:34 pm
Mishka,
Maybe you don’t get it…maybe you are wanting somehting that doesn’t exit. Maybe just maybe DBC is only focused on Deaf babies’ and ASL.. Maybe that is why DBC doesn’t feel the need to respond. Maybe they are busy volunteering countless hours to work towards deaf babies’ language rights and don’t have time to respond to your relentless question.
July 13th, 2008 at 10:34 pm
Amy, you and the others who know the truth…keep on walking tall. Your vision is a great one. Work with Anne Marie, and Mishka, Barry, and others to set up a new organization and watch how MANY will drift away from dbc to follow the true goal for the future.
Its what everyone really wants - true efforts without tyrannical or satanical behaviours. Ignore Aidan, its all old gossip. You have kept your self clean.
Put those blinders on and keep your eyes on the goal. All of you.
If you plant it, it will grow.
Move onward.The people are waiting. Take the lead.
July 13th, 2008 at 11:41 pm
Amy,
Truthfully, who invented “Deaf Bilingual Coalition”?
I’m seeing those “core” current members indicate they’re original founding group… former “founding group” people are coming out saying they was one of founding group and start to expose scandalous stuff on current core members.
This send alot of people in deaf community a very confusing. If this keep going, DBC may be heading to crumble.
AIM conversations on dbcfacts.com has been exposed. I have wondered what kind of these people are and what was their intentions to do with DBC in future?
Deafhood and DBC should be separated ways. Deafhood is a lifestyle where deaf people discover their own personal identify. Its up to deaf people if s/he desire to explore his/her own journey being “deafhood” or don’t have to. DBC should focus on educating hearing people and professionals that both newborn deaf & hearing babies should start with signing especially teaching parents to learn basic signs to communicate with their baby.
Your vision explains it all beauitfully.
July 13th, 2008 at 11:43 pm
“Tyrannical or satanic behaviors” oh my gosh…now you have lost your marbles!!! DBC’s name says it all Deaf “Bilingual” Coalition. Nothing more…nothing less. Someone planted a seed that said it is about Deafhood and suddenly you all believe it. Seven hundred people went to the conference and witnessed what DBC is all about. They certainly didn’t see what you have created in your mind. This has really gone to far.
July 14th, 2008 at 12:31 am
There were many deafhood themes during the conference. Perhaps some people couldn’t recognize them for what they are.
#55 Actually several did corresponded with me for couple of days after my second post. However, they refused to come clean that there were a lot of deafhood preaching, even during our discussions, and tried very hard to discourage me from coming forward. So I had no choice but to come forward as I cannot condone their deliberate hiding of the second agenda. All the former members acknowledged that there was a serious problem with the infiltration of deafhood into DBC, including Barry. What he had to say so far matched what we went through.
If you hadn’t noticed, I am stating that they do practice Deafhood. If you read the blogs and vlogs, you will see a lot of deafhood themes, long before the conference. The clues are all there for everyone who knows what these themes are. Many noticed them a long time ago. Some knew but were afraid to acknowledge them. Others are too loyal to DBC and DH, which I completely understand.
I have nothing against the philosophy of deafhood. I think it was time for the world to know the truth that DBC covers bilingualism and deafhood. Whenever I refer to DBC, I will say DBC and Deafhood.
July 14th, 2008 at 12:57 am
Jon,
Thank you for answering.
Unfortunately, your answer is not specific one.
The question was.. what do you think about DBC Core Members? Their attempts to mix up with Deafhood preaching to the public. Which sides do you stay with DBC or Deafhood cults (who rejected diversity)?
Asides from Deafhood’s definition. Do you understand the meaning of DEAF CULT??
July 14th, 2008 at 12:59 am
Paul,
someone might have planted the seed. The seed grew witin DBC, by DH itself.
No one is going around making up stuffs, at least that is what it appears to be so far.
You have former DBC founders who apparently have evidence that points it out.
You got something that says they’re a liar?
Anyways, this DH thing has definitely gotten out of hand. Had they just had Deafhood as a terminology and left it at that, rather than setting up a deafhood foundation or workshop or seminars, none of this would have happened.
Blame it all on DH. DBC seemed to have been something that was legit in the first place, that is, if they are telling the truth.
Everything is not always as it seems. But, one thing for sure, DH is the cause of all the discourse.
July 14th, 2008 at 3:02 am
Boy, too many speculations but none of you know for sure. Keep going, let your limited imagination run wild!
July 14th, 2008 at 4:01 am
Hi Amy,
I am struggling to understand why my commenters continue to fail to see that Deafhood and DBC should not mix. What are we failing in our message to them? Why are they not getting the message or the picture?
Sigh!
July 14th, 2008 at 4:56 am
Good morning Amy! It is REALLY hard to decide for wanting “BOTH”. I feel that AGB is NOT 100% deversity. I did borrowed one person name Karen Mayes under Adain Mack’s vlog from DVTV link: http://www.deafvideo.tv/video/watch/14349/
That’s really hard to live in this oppressive world depends on individual Deaf children who may not have benefit from English in only orally deaf education.
So hope Karen Mayes will understand what I try what I explain but I do NOT mean to offend her (Karen Mayes).. I just used an example that it is really happening right now.. Depends on individual Deaf children who do not have “understanding” (closed minded) parents.
July 14th, 2008 at 6:02 am
Amy, you disappoint me. I have admired some of your work in the past, but I must admit that I agree with Paul and many other people who disagree with you. People who were not at DBC need to stop making vlogs and blogs criticizing DBC. You always have emphasized the importance of saying or DOING things constructively. I feel you are being destructive in a sneaky way. Irony! Please take a hard look at your behaviors. Let DBC go and let them do their work. You are hurting admirable people who are working hard. *shaking head*. Ella, DE, and Genie Gertz have done a lot for Deafhood and I know they will continue to bring good things. Please support them. John and his team have done wonderful things for DBC. No need to try pulling them down. If you think you can do better, just do a separate organization or movement.
July 14th, 2008 at 6:26 am
Comment »
July 14th, 2008 at 6:46 am
Ahhh… ASLisRisen, I get your point. However, you’d be surprised at what background I come from… I was not a stellar student at the oral deaf school but I don’t dwell. We all are different and AGBell does not have much to do with who I am today. The faith and love I received in the past are what made who I am today… my family and my friends.
July 14th, 2008 at 7:17 am
My eyebrows rose at Aidan’s latest posting.
Well… we all have our own opinions and we all know that our opinions do change over time, from experiences, etc. We have seen Christians become Jews, Jews becoming Muslims, men becoming women, women becoming men, Republicans going Democrats, vice versa. So I really don’t think we should be too quick to judge people who change their opinions… often they who change their minds have their own reasons. Changes are part of our daily lives.
July 14th, 2008 at 11:09 am
Amy, I thought I read somewhere on your old vlog about your work with parents of deaf infants. Why??? I think the DBC team did a wonderful job and that is the deaf community need their help and that is what DBC is about to empower or educate parents of deaf children about ASL and think you like to hear about how important is it for deaf babies to learn ASL first because it is language. Because AGB is the power of monopolies, is against ASL, force children to learn speech, and does not respect deaf children’s right of using ASL and educate parents, governments, and states that ASL is bad for all deaf children. More deaf school are closing or few deaf students in deaf school and mainstreaming students in public school have grown. My friend went to see the doctor because she complained about tennitius. He refused to accept an interpreter and told her that she must read his lips. Obviously, he has been brainwashed by AGB. Many years most doctors, audiologists, and cochlear implant doctors in hospital have instructed or recommended parents for their deaf infants to have cochlear implant surgeries the way AGB wants so their programs can expand for all states to follow. How many of them have now? Some of them have died from CI, grow up in bad or poor home environments, low education, lack of social skills, and many more. Doctors have not educated about the Deaf community. Parents need to be educated how to work with their deaf children and also be able to teach them English. I think deaf children should attend deaf school if they find their scores on any tests very low. I think you should not resign. Paddy Ladd is also wonderful, you may have seen him in person on http://www.joeybaer.com about Deafhoold, he explains very clearly and also joey’s video about Deafhood at the 2006 NAD conference in California.
July 14th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
A cutting-edge research symposium entitled “Hear Our Voices: New Mechanisms in Auditory Discrimination and Speech in Deafness
Deafhood and DBC should be together the same as AGB and Deafness.
July 14th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Deafhood and DBC should be together like AGB and Deafness.
July 14th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
I wrote the comment on Cy’s blog…
“Deafhood is a complex concept for us to understand so it is better to be separate from DBC or any organization. What is more, DH is solely for personal use, from my understanding. I see there are two versions of DH… British and American. So mixing both DH and DBC together sends out complicating messages, even to us who understand Deafhood (or think we understand DH… but it is really our own interpretation of DH that makes us decide we understand it.) DBC is more of an educational and resource movement (bilingualism, cognitive skills, etc.) DH… is just another agenda, another mission, another whateva. Hearing parents are RARELY ready for listening about DH… They’d be interested in learning about DH but they’d be more concerned on providing resources for their deaf babies so that they could live in the hearing world, giving them a headstart, etc. Babies’ first exposure to culture often start at home… hearing parents’ home.”
July 14th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
John Egbert
If you want DBC to grow and succeed, kick Deafhood Foundation out from DBC. Those who lead Deafhood (Ella Mae Lentz, David Eberwein, David Reynolds, etc.) shouldn’t be involved with DBC as they are already vanquishing the purpose of DBC which is as copied from the DBC web site, “The Deaf Bilingual Coalition promotes the basic human right of All Deaf Infants and young children to have access to language and cognitive development through American Sign Language.”
What happened to your mission?
It’s sad to see that you, as one of the founders, allow Deafhood to take over DBC and use it to their own advantages. DBC and Deafhood Foundation has turned militant.
Take DBC back and steer it to what it should be in the first place! HELP DEAF INFANTS AND YOUNG CHILDREN LEARN AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE!
Otherwise, DBC and Deafhood should be sent into oblivion!!
July 14th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Amy, you should be shame on you. It is your fault.
July 14th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
Hi Cy,
I’m not Amy, but I can answer your question about why you’re failing to get through.
The answer is simple: many of us disagree. We can think for ourselves, thank you very much.
July 14th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
observer, In other words you feel it is ok for bilingualism and deafhood to mix, right? I have no problem with that.
Hiding deafhood part confuses parents becasue they see two different messages. They understand bilingual messages, but they don’t understand deafhood messages. A clueless parent walks in and listen: Audism? Deficit thinkers? Audism behind the cochlear implants and oralism? What are they talking about? I am lost
If both are openly acknowledged and discussed in details, then the parents will understand better.
July 15th, 2008 at 12:02 am
Nobody’s hiding deafhood. It’s one thread in the tapestry.
Transparency includes keeping the message simple, and simple it is…
Sign for deaf babies!
Sign for deaf babies!
Sign for deaf babies!
Everything else is just so much crab fodder. You are as bad as the others with your insistance that deafhood must be fully explained as part of DBC, MZ.
Actually, no it doesn’t. Sign for deaf babies! That simple…
Off to find a deaf baby to sign to…
July 15th, 2008 at 1:37 am
Greetings…
What you said is correct Mishka, always best to have an open agenda, this way, there’s no surprises later…as apparently is the case with this issue.
Amy, thank you for your courage to share your experiences. There’s always two sides to every story. I like your vision of the future. Its apparent to many, the issue of wanting to see a strong stand on “asl for babies” is a goal that has attracted a lot of people. This theme alone is the reason many went to the conference.I guess people were not prepared, as you and others have explained, that Deafhood was part of the DBC conference.
Bear with me as I have some questions while I am “thinking outloud”…
What’s obvious to me is not everyone is attracted to Deafhood for a variety of reasons. Its unfortunate that this term, clearly meant for one’s personal journey abt “self” has become viewed by some people as a cult, exclusive not inclusive, and whatever other ugly feelings have reared this week abt it.
I myself had trouble accepting this term 3yrs ago, but my reasons had more to do with the fact that I did not like a term that labeled me also. I’ve dealt with enough labels in my childhood, one more was not going to sit well with me. Smile. Moreover, I’d did not like how people were feeling forced to accept this term. Since that time, I’ve seen a lot of changes in how Deafhood was explained. They seem to have “heard us” and revised how it was presented.
Yet this week,a great deal of the same feelings are expressed even more so abt the term deafhood than the dbc itself.NAD conference delegates had no clue when the uproar hit abt the motion for the board to receive Deafhood training passed.
Bottom line, it tells me, an awful lotta people are still feeling betrayed, rejected or feeling they will never be accepted into “deafhood”.
And worse yet, it appears a lot of people aren’t accepting whom has been presenting the information on Deafhood either.
Suppose different leaders were to start explaining/presenting deafhood, ie Don G, Terri or Joseph, as they have recently, would it be more widely accepted?
According to the comments on their sites, people seem to be more accepting. So my question is, is it the people whom are presenting or steering DBC that causes so much anger and fear? If they weren’t involved, and new leaders appointed, would people be more motivated to follow the goals? Deafhood?
Keep in mind, there are also a lot of Deaf people who support the current leaders.I like each of them, and have personally talked with Ella, and DE who seem to be accepting and on the same page as I am abt the issue for the most part.Where we differ, its usually with respect. And I believe we are all good people until we piss someone off, then all hell breaks loose.But, gotta give people the benefit of doubt. I’m sure DBC will come out with their own explanation soon.
Meanwhile, I believe you, Mishka, and Anne Marie are saying is, people should’nt be afraid to be involved, nor kicked out for having a different opinion, and leadership should be clear with their agenda. Okay, so if the current leadership of DBC incorporate everyone’s feedback and make changes, condut meetings with voting power/democracy, etc. will this satisfy everyone?
Or has enough damage been done? I see people quitting on Deafread out of frustration and some have dealt with retaliation for speaking out. Private emails with ugly messages sent to people, all of which reminds me of the same thing happening when the protest at Gally broke out. Ugly wars internally in our community. We have obviously never fully recovered.
I liked how you stayed away from naming names, just focused on the issue. We can’t recover if people keep attacking others. Focus on the issue, because there’s so much name calling lately, people have forgotten the issue!
I personally don’t care what you call it,”deafhood”, “Deafworld”, bottom line is, we are a culture of Deaf people concerned abt the future of Deaf children’s education achievement levels and we know, bilingualism hasn’t been put in practice in curriculum in all of USA. I’ve been saying for a few years now, we should get ASL officially recognized.
We need a common goal, a focus that is POSITIVE, and one that all can support no matter what “hood” you belong to, smile.
Perhaps this should be the rally that finally brings us all together - for ASL to be officially recognized as a language in the United States equivalent to English. After all, it IS “American” Sign Language.
So..let’s bring on the vision! dbc or asl think tank, phoenix in the sky, it doesn’t matter what you call your group or organization. It only matters what you DO.
If you are serious about your commitment to improve the quality of life for Deaf people in generations to come, don’t let anything stop you!
Move onward.
July 16th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Amy,
Outstanding! Powerful message vlogs carried keep balance like separate of powers like Democracy is a system of government by which political sovereignty is retained by the people and exercised directly by citizens from Amercian ways.
Let me give to you a picture like I want to bulit my house and I want invited three Deaf persons who trust me as long togther need help me built house we discussed with the structure frame by design myself and they agreed with me then we bulit start from bottom to top roof then I asked three Deaf need invited who have skills investigated the structure frame so we decided add three DBC Core invited my house they checked inside so they want to changed things by walls but we not sure decided yet not completed it. DBC Core tell everyone come over my house but I told them not finished fixed on top roof they not listen to us so DBC Core wants go head do it process invited everyone come in my house too late we saw the top roof begin shake house and we ran outside then the house will collpsed and structure already damaged. We deicded kick out three DBC Core start over hired new DBC leaders help us restructure built again and teamwork togther to successful completed my house. I am sure that will be welcome everyone come my house cheers! You see got idea what happened in Milwaukee DBC wars with AGBell not health.
That’s leadership skills sometimes pro or cons and good and devil struggled never stop into fill your life let make move up do again you will be into bright Stars! That’s long way to solved it.
I watch movies Lord of the Rings shows battle Middle Earth quote “I will take the Ring,” he said, “though I do not know the way” See that Happened today for Deaf community fellow up which one? Up to you.
Keep up Amy’s Vlogs top five Stars! Smile!
July 31st, 2008 at 6:35 pm
I am disappointed in you. You have been my role model but not anymore.
August 5th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Hi Amy.. I am VERY confused about what’s going on regarding DBC.. I was completely lost since I had been away on vacation for more than one month.
So I had to go back to Square One to catch up on what I missed. I am beginning to see your points NOW. So please forgive me.
I hope DBC will come back to us with its explanation.
Thanks, Amy for being strong! Keep up the good work!
August 11th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
Very cool vlog… I am born deaf into hearing family, my mom found out i am deaf at age one, she made good decision by having me learn sign at age one and i was exposed to deaf culture all through my childhood… i support deaf babies right to sign and i support Deaf alll the way!!! of course i accept everyone the way they are…