How dare you label me “Deafhood”?
This is not actual transcription. I type when my mind sets to this before I vlog.
What made you decide that I have “Deafhood”? I really didn’t ask for it. I didn’t even appreciate being called “Deafhood” at all. That really stings. I’m feeling somewhat deeply offended by being labelled “Deafhood”. I don’t even appreciate that. Regardless I have nothing against Deafhood nor support it because I have yet experience that.
I have NEVER had gone to Deafhood workshop. I haven’t yet bought Paddy Ladd’s book, too. Granted, I may have little bit of it inside of myself since I’ve accepted my own identity but further than that I really don’t know. Now all of sudden some “know it all” person had decided to label me and others “Deafhood”. I can’t speak for others but myself I really don’t appreciate that very much. Yet some of you are on the top of the mountain and point at each individuals and exclaim, “YOU DEAFHOOD….YOU DEAFHOOD….YOU DEAFHOOD.” So who died and made you Queen of England, eh? Er, I mean Queen of Deafhood? Hmmm? Well, actually, it’s more of like being slapped in the face with that label.
Once again, in my opinion, nobody shouldn’t be labelled “Deafhood” until they’ve accept their own identities after having gone through their journeys. Therefore they would take Deafhood to their hearts once they accept and embrace it by themselves, not you decide whether they are worthy of Deafhood. Some may haven’t completed the journey yet. Some may have already completed it. Who knows how long that would take them on their own journey? Once he or she embraces Deafhood, good for him or her. Really….I would be happy for that individual.
Do you want to know what I felt when I first heard this term, “Deafhood”? At first, I thought it was a new version of “Deaf Power”. Really, I did because I’ve had gone through “Deaf Power” phase back in ’70’s that were overused and abused in many ways. I went, “Oh no, here we go again……new Deaf Power?!?” Luckily, I had to refrain myself from making my comments in the blog world until I read and learn more about the people discussing “Deafhood” while making the plans on buying Paddy Ladd’s book and check the dates for Deafhood workshop to check out first. That’s where and when I will get into the discussion in near future.
To be honest with you, I would recommend you not to point at them and exclaim while nodding your head non-stop, “YOU DEAFHOOD!” Just leave them alone! Do not cram “Deafhood” down our throats, please. Take it back and apologize, please.
Ciao, “Sane” Misha
Filed under: blogs, deaf, deafread.com, deafvideo.tv, opinion, respect, vlogs
be careful! you’re gonna be labeled a “minnow”.
then again, its better to be a minnow than a leech.
Misha, I think your reacton is from some assumptions you’ve made about Deafhood. You acknowledged that you haven’t read the book nor have you gone to a workshop. That’s okay. But please don’t react so strongly to something that you don’t know about.
Deafhood is not something that you are. It’s not about being deaf enough. It’s not Deaf Power. Deafhood is the process; the journey. Paddy Ladd says that no one will ever be 100% finished with their journey. Deafhood is not finishing the journey. It’s being ON the journey.
I’m on my Deafhood journey. MM is on his. Patti Durr is on hers. McConnell is on his. Karen Mayes is on hers. So are you. The Deafhood journey is simply about asking yourself “What does it mean to be Deaf? What is my Deaf identity? Who am I? What is my place in this world?” and exploring those over a long period of time.
Since the Deafhood priestesses and priests know more than we do, we bow to them deferentially. They are wise, having studied the bible of deafhood. You show the brainwashed thinking of a colonialized deficit thinker and must be deprogrammed.
your brain is narrow, you will find out after deafhood workshop and understand better. laugh haha! deafhood is worth for everyone
deaf poweris old fashion, laugh i dont mean that i am deafhood, no no deafhood mean? be your person and who are ou in your background. confuse in your life no more
Observer,
Look, look, I’m talking about the group, not individuals. Please read what I said. Chipmunk aimed at Signing Circle the group, not individual which I somewhat objected to.
But you don’t tell me how to react because I react to whatever I see it to fit whether you like it or not.
M’ok?
Misha
“Deafhood fan”,
Gee…interesting….hmm, you must be one of them, eh? Just wondering….
Hmm……
*walks aimlessly wondering*
Misha
rlay,
Obviously your brain is also narrow. Mine is wide open like I said when I go to the workshop and read Paddy Laddy’s book. So try to rip your brain open to watch what the hell I’m talking about.
Ciao, Misha
In Response to this third commenter:
deafhood fan, on August 13th, 2008 at 8:26 pm Said:
Since the Deafhood priestesses and priests know more than we do, we bow to them deferentially. They are wise, having studied the bible of deafhood. You show the brainwashed thinking of a colonialized deficit thinker and must be deprogrammed.
That is THE example we always remain to have factions within the community because of these words you wrote on Misha’s blog, does divide us. I am sure that people who does not believe in deafhood said it somewhat similar too, and can be very upsetting too.
DeafhoodFan, I would like for you to reveal your own identity than hiding behind your fake names/nickname and say it again with your real name attached. It is against the ‘rule’ of deaf culture to hide yourself behind the fake name. Go and watch David Eberwein’s vlog about anonymous comments on Joey Baer’s website. It’s there.
Also, I would like to present my question to the presenters from the Deafhood Foundation (i.e. Ella, DE, Genie Gertz) if these words which this commenter, deafhoodfan said on Misha blog, is acceptable?
If it is not acceptable,then can you provide some leadership to tell the community that it is not a part of healthy deafhood process to encourage deaf versus deaf infighting by throwing harmful and hurtful words each other?
Why would deafhoodfan’s words continue to happen? That’s is an example why each individual who are still processing their own journey get so turned off with these words.
I have been labeled with so many words unimaginable and I continue to brush them off. I have my own journey. I interact with my peers in my own community, workplace and blogsphere - and that is my journey to share stories, ideas, thoughts and vision together. I am happy with my own journey, and I am not stopping with my own journey too.
That is a healthy process for ANYONE to go through. That is a healthy community building, sense of belonging, sharing together and enjoying each other’s company. Yeah, the common denominator is that we all are deaf and we have our own experiences that we share. We feel good about this.
This kind of experience - which Paddy Ladd coined the word, as the deafhood experience. So be it.
Now, talking about these words: colonialized deficit thinker, deprogramming, bible of deafhood, narrow brain, minnows, destructive, system, etc etc…
These words were written in the book by Paddy Ladd, and was it truly necessary to throw these words/labels on people who are having their own private journeys?
It’s all about semantics.
According to Merriam-Webster dictionary:
Semantics
1: the study of meanings:
a: the historical and psychological study and the classification of changes in the signification of words or forms viewed as factors in linguistic development
b (1): semiotic
(2): a branch of semiotic dealing with the relations between signs and what they refer to and including theories of denotation, extension, naming, and truth
2: general semantics
3 a: the meaning or relationship of meanings of a sign or set of signs; especially : connotative meaning
b: the language used (as in advertising or political propaganda) to achieve a desired effect on an audience especially through the use of words with novel or dual meanings
That’s semantics. Is it helping? I don’t think so. It is not helping at all. Period.
Thank you,
Amy Cohen Efron
go deafhood workshop and read book
Misha - Thank you for doing the Vlog. I admire your strong reaction.. Yet, you admit that you are open-minded, and you will read the book next week and decide for yourself. You also are willing to attend the Deafhood workshop in the future. Your attitude is very similar to mine.
Amy, I just wanted to say DITTO!
Kim
Amy,
I understand your comment very clearly.
Wow.
Now I understand why some people in
Europe make Paddy Ladd a laughing
stock and call him Jesus and a cultist.
High Priest Paddy Ladd
Sort of like a famous cultist Charles Manson
of California who is so full of delusions, now
in prison for life. He attracted people thru his
manipulation. Now I see the same delusions
in DBC group after I read DR Hocokan’s copy
AIM notes which show Ella Lentz shows her
delusion “Priestess.”
Deaf people will lose their ADA rights faulted
by Deafhood leaders.
Oh, my goodness,
I admit I admire your expression on this. Good thing, you are willing to learn about Deafhood before you decide anything…
I went to the workshop in 2006. Right now, I do not have anyone to share with here. Not accessibility yet. One day, yeah.
Take care, Misha… deafk
Get a life!
Meow….
Thank you…….last time I checked, yup, I do have a life. But do you? hmm…..
Misha
Misha,
Powerful vlog. I have to admit, I was about ready to skip your vlog until the 3rd minute, you finally shown your true colors. Very raw, sometimes that’s necessary for a lot of reasons.
In my opinion, we are not “required” to attend any sort of workshop to “understand” deafhood.” In fact, we do not even need to read Paddy Ladd’s book. Like I have explained in other vlogs, Deafhood is what you make of it, both yourself and the world and that is usually done by discourse and finding similarities of various types of “oppression” (i.e. colonlalism, supression of language, etc). By reading Ladd’s book, you see different paths available; to take a deafhood workshop, you see other paths as well. Nothing to do with the criteria to be a member of the deafhood concept.
We all have options; either way, we will still have our own unique identity/journey/deafhood as a part of who we are regardless of books/workshops. As you know, you will find your journey whenever, but some would say that you have already begun your journey (and your vlog may be a part of that journey), others would say that you’ve decided to make a “experience” of your journey public through the vlog. Some call that deafhood, others call it just…reality.
I wouldn’t let those who decide to judge you get into you. You obviously do not need them to lower yourself to their standards.
Until then,
D
To deafhood fan,
You said…
“Since the Deafhood priestesses and priests know more than we do, we bow to them deferentially.”
Bow to them? Not on my life. I only bow to God.
Tom
To all of you insisting that we should go to a “deafhood workshop” and buy the bible;
are we really the minnows? you’re the one paying someone else to tell you how to be Deaf.
Like how the real bible said that it’s simply about us and Jehovah alone, Deafhood is supposed to be individual not a collective.
You_Don’t_Need_To_Pay_Know-It-All_To_Tell_You_Who_You_Are.
I agree with Amy and Misha; part of my “deafhood” journey is to express my disbelief to my community. I’m sorry that this is hard for you to accept.
Thanks for reading. I love you all!
We have to fight them with reality and fact Misha.
To realize the damage deafhood and deaf power can do to rank and file deaf people of all descriptions, we know only the most astute ‘Deaf’ call all the shots.
Where is the academic responses to any of this deafhood ? Too scared in case culture is used as an argument,and we are then silenced ? One world that is of deaf people and related hearing loss sectors, we must resist the elitism deaf power brings with it. OK we are deaf, so lets move on etc… ID struggles exist because they are saying you have to fit into THIS hole or that one, doing the very same thing, they attack mainstream for. Pete Seeger did a song called little boxes which describes it pretty well.
John Lennon did ‘working class hero’ along the same lines…. Instead of simply being annoyed at the label, let’s take active steps to get rid of them. It puts us on the backfoot all the time, we are constantly via this ‘deafhood’ being forced to justify our place in the world, hell, I am not going to do that anymore, so battle joined. we are all individuals who happen to be deaf as well.
Let’s not make a cult out of it….
Deafhood Fan,
You’re my idol. A satire you doth write, with a colorful fake worm wiggling, giggling as if alive.
How hauntingly real, the leeches trick us so; their puckers digging between our testicles, our precious deaf bodily fluids feeding oily desires. When push comes to shove, blood flows rapidly, the belly swells lovingly.
Aye, who’d have thought that such beauty exists between our warring souls; the condition we’re born with, the natural desires of our acoustic world.
In the end, we are perfect; living in harmony as hosts to our own parasites.
Well, I definitely am not accepted anyone to label me, “Deafhood.” I don’t feel it is really normal if someone label us, “hearinghood.” Makes no sense.
Of course, I identified myself as a human first, then deaf come into second.
I looked into NAD’s by laws and National Black Deaf Advocates for the Deaf’s by laws and they don’t include the term, “deafhood” in the by-laws. They are pretty accurate.
However, it’s hard to believe that the California Association for the Deaf (CAD) accepted the term, “Deafhood” in the by-laws. It’s neither accurate nor normal. It’s like, it’s for the “deaf only”.
So, I don’t see the CAD has the walks of life.
Kudos to Amy! My arm is on your shoulder, Amy.
Misha,
Huh, Who label you Deafhood? If anybody/anyone said so, you have choice whether you accept or not. That is ok, nobody gonna to twist your arm. What bother me is that you don’t attend deafhood workshop nor read the book from Paddy Ladd, why got so all upsetting about being “label deafhood” when you yourself not get all informations? Umm, speak out after you get all the informations. I saw Paddy thru Joey’s vlogs, I found it very interesting and am looking forward for the workshop coming in Nov. Now, for example, are you a mother? If so, then you have been thru motherhood journey.
Take care, Nina
KUDOS, Misha!!!! Well and beautifully said!!
Frankly, I don’t see what the big deal is about Deafhood. All of you, like me, are deaf. So what? Like Misha, I haven’t attended any Deafhood workshop nor have I read Paddy Ladd’s book, but then I don’t know if I want to with all the attitudes from militant Deafhood leaders and followers, dictating everyone to do this or that. No one tells me what to do, think, or act! I have my own mind, and I know what I am doing, thank you.
My biggest concern about Deafhood is whether the leaders are actually using Paddy Ladd’s version or they changed his version to their American version for their own purposes. Did those leaders receive any training from Paddy to educate the deaf community about Deafhood? If I want to learn more about Deafhood, I would prefer to read Paddy’s book and ask him directly questions if any.
I did think of terms like one maternity chain store ‘Motherhood”, family planning centers “Parenthood” across the country that work fine. In some case, it works better if the term with ‘hood’ is used otherwise for reasons. This Deafhood term is still too unconventional, honestly I tried toying with this term reflecting it in different ways. I have seen some people burst into laugh when seeing that word for the first time and even louder when they see that gets mixed up politically. Believe me.
I am perfectly fine with the concept of Deafhood, mixing it politically, calling us colonialized, deficit thinkers etc are a big mistake many of us are forever turned off by that. Deafhood fan, see my point?
Fyi, David Eberwein during the DBC business meeting on instant message call some of DBC leaders high priest, priestess etc, I think was more of a joke, I hope so.
About buying a book..it is now about $45 and it is 536 pages, very hard to read, it is same as trying to read Bible, many people go to church not really reading Bible. That is why there are workshops on Deafhood.
One important thing to do when going to their workshop, just listen and learn what they have to say and remember it is THEIR interpretation, it means they can be either right or wrong. Do not fall for everything, balance yourself with your experiences, your own true intelligence and their perspectives. Keep balance is the key.
Some people enjoy being followers, some people prefer to be more independent. Being 100% blindfolded follower or being 100% independent is not too good. One can become empowered by taking it both way, learning from others but stay tuned with her/himself what s/he can make sense out of her/his own experiences, conscience, and intuition. One reaching out his/her own inner and associating it with reality is mostly empowered person.
D,
No, it’s not all about requirements at all. That is not necessary. We all make our choices whether we want to attend or read the book as we see it to fit. NOBODY requires you or me to do what they require us to do so. Nobody said that at all.
MM,
Deafhood is cult?!? Well, for now I can’t say that is the case. Some tend to think that’s the case. Everyone draws the conclusion on whether deafhood is actually cult or not.
However, I do have a few choices of words for DBC in regards of deafhood but I’m not going to say anything at all until they come out and tell us what is really going on. Obviously they still remain silent. *shrugs* That’s their prerogative, not us.
Nina,
You obviously haven’t watched my vlog very carefully. But hey, that’s your assumption, not mine. I was talking about Deaf Chipmunk’s vlog about “Signing Circle: Deafhood?” at DeafRead. That’s where and how I felt somewhat offended. The operative keyword “somewhat” I stress on. That means I’m kind of semi-offended, not deeply offended. You can’t even ask me why should I get upset over this while I obviously haven’t read the book! I do have every right to express my feelings when I viewed anybody’s v/blogs. Once again you made this assumption as well. You can’t tell anybody not to speak out until we view anybody’s vlog in regards of deafhood. It’s wrong because it’s somewhat oppression, IMHO.
Never ever, throw motherhood into deafhood mix! They are DIFFERENT! Yes, I’m a mom BUT you shouldn’t have tell me any different about this. I resent that remark.
WallflowerObserver,
Well, honestly, I resent the word “Deaf Militants”. I detest that word. However you feel that is aimed toward those leaders, that’s your opinion.
However you have a very good valid question about whether the versions (British and America version) of deafhood are the same or different. That is one of my question as well since I’m planning on getting the book and attend the workshop so I can see the differences between those versions. I shall see……hmm….
Thanks…..
Ciao, Misha
Anne Marie,
Thanks for your comment. I agree with most of that.
However in regards of AIM conversation, DE made some “off hand jokes” about Deaf Priestess and High Priest, etc. To be honest with you, regardless whether he was joking or being serious, that shouldn’t be said at all because I don’t find that funny. I find that is very tasteless joke if that is really joke. That’s my opinion.
Misha
That is one of the reasons why I keep saying there are NO deaf experts… How can there be?? Every deaf person is different and there is no way to meet everyone’s needs! It is just not possible.
But people being human will do anything for power, glory and/or money. Mind you, not all, but a lot… I guess they feel so inferior that they have to control another inferior person.
Deafhood means nothing to me! And it never will! I will not buy the book and attend a stupid workshop to have someone tell me how to be deaf or to identify who I am. I am who I am! Don’t like it, too bad!
Sounds like people are sick of this buzzword….just wait till the next new buzzword comes out…it gets boring when it’s the only game in town.
I agree with you, Dianrez.
I am getting sick with deafhooditics.
Amy
Misha, I completely agree, it is very tasteless joke and a reflection of the mindset. I said I hope it was only a joke because if not, it is really sick.
It funny you were labeled Deafhood.. It doesnt make sense… if you were labeled Deaf or a woman that make sense, but Deafhood?
Clearly, you re getting angry for no reason. I think you invented it to make it mean the same as militant.
Sigh, as you said, you havent read the book or attend the workshop. What a waste of energy getting angry over nothing.!
BJ,
Please don’t insult my intelligence, m’ok? You obviously haven’t checked out at Deaf Chipmunk’s v/blog and other vlogs at DVTV that’s where I reacted to. Get the picture? Hm?
I didn’t say I’m labeled “Deafhood” however I said I felt I’m being labeled after all Deaf Chipmunk had said “Signing Circle, that deafhood…that”. So watch what you’re saying and insulting me before you make an assumption. You sure have waste your own energy to make some silly assumptions.
Get the facts straight.
Misha
It is the attitudes demonstrated by militant deafhood leaders and their militant deafhood followers. Their efforts to dictate everyone to either read the book or attend a workshop amounted to nothing less than a cult practice. For everybody’s information we’re not a herd of cattle to be herded. We’re empowered human beings who can function in this world and more importantly, think for ourselves.
D E A F H O O D
If you keep up with the blogs/vlogs, you can see how Deafhood fans try to destroy the reputations of former DBC members. They refuse to accept the diversity of free thinkers. Why do you think the former members are attacked so viciously?
Remember how many deaf people were labeled deficit thinkers last winter? How DBC leaders called for the censorship of these people along with oral deaf and c.i. users?
They do not accept people who think outside of one groupthink.
Rlay, you mean Dafhood.
I agree with you, Misha.
For commentators, curious, what’s your point if you are deafhood?
-Fookem
If anyone labels you “Deafhood”, it reminds me of Jesse Jackson because he wants to be sure that Black people “should act like Black”. If he doesn’t accept the person who doesn’t want to be labeled as “Black” or whatever so he gets pissed off like how he labeled Obama’s ‘acting like he’s white’. How racist is it that Jesse has to say somebody is acting white.
Nobody can label you Deafhood because they don’t know you. If they still label you, obviously they are making the “hate speech”.
-Bug
Deafhood… does it mean deaf people live in the hood of the car ????