Advocating ASL Only…a lie?
Hot debates on Deficit Thinking educated many hearing and deaf people. Few complained that I did not explain the terminology of Deficit Thinking. I thought many other people were doing a good job.
Ok, I will give you an example.
Here is a comment on Mishka Zena’s post,
“AGBell Nazis…Deaf Nazis”
and I copy and pasted it here,
# Ann_C Says:
December 19th, 2007 at 9:00 pm
Accountability defines credibility, too.
I agree with DP.
Amy–Eloquent comment.
brenster– John E. of DBC is constantly railing against AGBell and advocates ASL for deaf babies in almost the same breath. It appears to many who read his AGBell.info blog, especially for the first time, that he is advocating ASL only. His anger is getting in the way of his good intentions.
And even you will have to admit there are some on the blogosphere who want only ASL and no other for deaf children, and that is an exclusive approach that doesn’t apply to every deaf child’s situation. CI’s are here to stay, whether any of us like or not, and those of the Deaf culture who propose ASL-only are not getting the big picture.
******************
This commenter said that the Deaf culture who propose ASL-only are not getting the big picture.
Nowhere in DeafRead.com or other blogsphere have the deaf culture proposed ASL only ideology.
There is no, I repeat again, NO ASL only schools in America and it will not work. All deaf schools have English courses and do not forbid English language.
Now here is what is IRONIC!
There are ORAL ONLY schools, as matter of fact, there are many ORAL ONLY schools in America that advocate oral only and forbids sign language.
Now here is another GREAT IRONY!
It seems alright for this commenter above to tell the hearing and deaf people on DeafRead.com that deaf culture propose ASL only.
And while it is all right for many other ORAL ONLY schools to forbid sign language.
And I never have advocated ASL only ideology but AGBell advocates ORAL only ideology.
Now I ask you, is that deficit thinking comments?
John Egbert
The Babbidge committee wrote a long time ago in the 1960’s that the oralists were the “purists,” not the educators who supported sign sign language.
Comment by Brian Riley — December 20, 2007 @ 6:18 pm
Ann C. is one of the groupies with Paotie and McConnell
She has no credibility,
Just ignore her.
Comment by Mary — December 20, 2007 @ 6:38 pm
Should being Deaf be made subservient to hearing supremacy: that is, whether being Deaf should be made “to listen and speak”?
Comment by carl Schroeder — December 20, 2007 @ 6:43 pm
I, myself, don’t like Mike and paotie. Just ignore them and Ann C. sometimes sounds annoying. If she annoys you, ignore her.
Comment by mystery — December 20, 2007 @ 8:15 pm
John,
Good points you made. Like that you elicited parts and examined them and continue this important discussion focusing on the LANGUAGE and possible interpretations.
Comment by ella lentz — December 20, 2007 @ 8:44 pm
Deficit Thinking?
I think we still not understand deficit thinking yet.
But it is obvious that Ann C. was misleading people and why she did it is a question to ask her.
Will she prove that deaf culture really propose ASL only?
She needs to speak up for her credibility.
Comment by BarryH — December 20, 2007 @ 8:52 pm
John,
You are correct. ASL- & Deaf-centered schools have never banned English, speech, CIs, hearing people, etc. etc. They are the most comprehensive programs, and countless Deaf children found peace and happiness there.
You certainly inspired me in 2007— I’m so fortunate to work along with you- I’ve learned so much from you and like ABC says, your heart is good and full of love for the Deaf community.
DE
Comment by DE — December 21, 2007 @ 7:29 am
BarryH, you seem to not understand what Ann C was saying and John E is saying the same thing that there are some deaf people out there that are saying ASL only. I guess what John is saying that DBC is not “ASL ONLY” but rather, encourages parents to see that ASL has benefits and to use ASL regardless of what other methods parents choose. If parent want speech, John is saying that is ok..but please use ASL too because your child will benefit greatly.
Now, If I’m wrong, John. Please correct me.
Thanks
Comment by c — December 21, 2007 @ 8:28 am
*laughs*
Gawrsh!
No wonder DBC sucks.
:o)
Paotie
Comment by Paotie — December 21, 2007 @ 8:36 am
C,
Let’s Barry have his say on your comment.
Maybe he was concern about Ann C using the words, advocating and propose which is a powerful word to mislead the public.
Barry, if you read this, can you clarify what you mean by misleading?
Thank you
John
Comment by John F. Egbert — December 21, 2007 @ 8:40 am
Paotie,
You need to stop this kind of talk on DeafRead.com
John Egbert
Comment by John F. Egbert — December 21, 2007 @ 8:42 am
Paotie,
Your comment reminds me a child who just blurts out,
“I hate you!” “This is not fair!” without any explanations. I don’t see how your comment is justified. I recognize that it is not always possible for everyone to like something (i.e. organizations, schools, methods, etc.) and that is expected but for one to just throw in a negative statement without explanation shows me that this person is not possessing mature thinking.
The DBC has been working very hard everyday to build bridges with parents and professionals by advocating informed choices and the inclusion of ASL along with speech, listening, etc. There is a lot more what DBC has been doing than just vlogging and rallying.
Like Patti Durr’s vlog (People of the Eye: http://blog.deafread.com/pote/2007/12/20/four-agreements/), she mentioned the four agreements (from the book The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom (A Toltec Wisdom Book) by Don Miguel Ruiz) that made a lot of sense.
The first one is to be impeccable with your words.
The second one is not to assume. What I have witnessed here is that some commenters are making assumptions that DBC is advocating ASL only approach. I frown upon them who have not gathered the facts before making such judgement.
The third one is for me to not to take your statement personally (nah).
The fourth one that applies to all of us which is, “Always do your best.” This is what DBC has been doing to do our best to make this world a better place for Deaf babies.
On a personal side for me, I have been working on refraining from making any judgments about anything and anyone. Can you do that as well and make this a 2008 resolution?
On a positive note, there are exciting plans to be unveiled but it takes time for planning. Remember, the DBC is still in infancy stage (founded in July 2007) but it is growing stronger and stronger everyday thanks to people who are the opposite of deficit thinkers. People like you who snicker at DBC are not helping Deaf babies at all. DBC has spent unlimited universal energies that cannot be described fully here in a few short words.
Thank you for listening and may peace be with you,
Barb DiGi
Comment by Barb DiGi — December 21, 2007 @ 9:43 am
Barb DiGi,
Well said!!! Let’s looking forward for the 2008,
Keep fighting on…DBC. We all deaf community are appericate for your hard work for best for our deaf babies.
Once again, Many thanks for keeping our dreams for our Deaf babies.
Happy Holiday to all. Santa might give us our wishes for our DEAF BABIES. HO HO HO!!!!
Comment by Mick — December 21, 2007 @ 11:25 am
Once again…. Santa Claus WAVING HAND to our DEAF BABIES and DBC.
Comment by Mick — December 21, 2007 @ 11:29 am
John you found DBC you are the one who is supposed to clear the air about what DBC stands for!!! You let other people say things that misrepresents what DBC stands for. It is you job to clarify things. jeesh.
By not saying something you encourage false information to swirl around and around and later on it’s not going to be only Paotie that says, no wonder DBC sucks…many other people will follow.
Remember what Amy said? I think DBC needs to use a different approach in getting the message out. If there is continued drama like this, DBC is not going to be able to achieve anything.
Perhaps you need to set up a spokesperson for DBC that speaks for DBC because you seem to have a hard time filling that role.
You said let BarryH comment it no way! You are supposed to be the “authority” of what DBC stands for because you founded it right? did BarryH found DBC? He is critizing Ann C over a misunderstanding (my guess he doesn’t understand Ann C’s english, maybe) and it’s ok for him to do that but it’s not ok for others to speak their mind?
This is not going anywhere. sad.
Comment by c — December 21, 2007 @ 1:03 pm
Barb, did you get into all this from day one? I think you missed out on some original blogs. First off, there are several deaf read commenters that says things about DBC that does not represent what DBC stands for (not blogs, I’m talking about commenters.) DBC has a responsibility to clear that out. Why? because it gives some deaf people the wrong idea of what DBC really stands for. Some deaf commenters actually believes that DBC is against CI and advocates ASL ONLY. But, we know that is not true. Both Paotie and Ann C are not against ASL at all! So, when I asked John to correct me if I was wrong, I expect him to answer because he founded DBC, ergo, he knows exactly what basis DBC was founded upon. Not BarryH.
The question was asked for John to answer. Simple question.
John, Does DBC advocates ASL ONLY? Is DBC against speech or CI in addition to ASL? simple as that. Clear that picture.
Comment by c — December 21, 2007 @ 1:17 pm
C,
DBC does not advocate ASL ONLY.
And DBC is not against speech or CI in addition to ASL.
Please browse this website;
http://deafbilingualcoalition.com/
We have another website coming out and we will announce it when it is published.
Peace,
John
Comment by agbellinfo — December 21, 2007 @ 2:11 pm
John, I want to thank you for answering my questions. I’m aware that the mission statement is in the website you mentioned. Unfortunately, I don’t think many commenters were aware of it. If they were, they would not have made the statement they did that does not agree with DBC’s mission. While I understand that commenters do not represent DBC, but, you have to agree with me that for some, they make it sound like they do. We all are human after all.
One more thing tho, after reading DP’s latest blog and some eye opening information by her and some former DBC members who decided to reveal some things that went on. You know, this is not good at all for DBC. It’s not a good idea to let few people monopolize an organization. This kind of “control” only hurts. And to find out it was Ella and DE, and looking back at everything starting with your deficit thinking blog, I now “get it”. Does not look good at all. You see, I have seen similar thing happening to two organization/club in past and the outcome was not good.
I don’t have anything against Ella or DE. I don’t know them. I’ve enjoyed some of their vlogs. I’m sure they meant good (as in their support for the cause) but one has to wonder are they out for themselves, their name or are they out to give their all for DBC without credit? One who gives all without EXPECTING credit are the true supporters of a cause. Seems like too many hats for them to wear. They’re not only involed in deafhood workshops but other stuff too.
Comment by C — December 21, 2007 @ 6:53 pm
C,
We are not worried about those two people in Deaf Pundit blog that is trying to ruin DBC’s crediability.
Besides Deaf Pundit, the other person is using different names such as “Pants on Fire”, “NightOwl”, Anonymous. These people that are hiding their identity is who you should be leery about.
For example, #27 anonymous said,
“Shameful, Ella and DE.
Favorism? I reckon so.
I will *NOT* donate $$$ to DBC UNTIL the three cronies leave.”
So, C, did you wonder who the third one is?
this lady, anonymous, had asked me to give her the title as a leader of DBC, and it did not come out to be for her. So she got upset and got involved with Deaf Pundit in this campaign to destroy DBC.
The big picture was the deaf babies, not our personal ego or fame.
John Egbert
Comment by egbertpress — December 21, 2007 @ 7:10 pm
John,
No one is ruining DBC, I am telling you. We have inspired so many people and we are on the roll. We need to ignore those individualistic people and we will grow even bigger in 2008!
Thanks for all of your hard work in promoting DBC and protecting Deaf babies’ lingusitic rights!
Have a great holiday!
Comment by Joey Baer — December 22, 2007 @ 9:32 am