DBC: Bilingualism, Audism, and Deafhood?
In my last post DBC: Confusing Messages, I asked for clarification about the statements of a DBC representative quoted in the newspaper article as audism and cochlear implants weren’t mentioned in the mission statement of Deaf Bilingual Coalition:
“The two groups will bring their competing agendas to Milwaukee in separate national conferences this week: one that views cochlear implants and auditory-based therapies as a way to give children access to the wider world; and the other that sees them as unnecessary and an affront to who deaf people are as individuals.”
“”We’re concerned about the audism behind the implants - this belief that hearing is more advantageous than being deaf. It’s the same as racism,” she said.”
“You’re only learning how to speak, to regurgitate the words, and only a small percentage of deaf people are successful at that,”
Since people claim that these quotes were taken out of context, this post reveals more data documenting that these topics were also covered during the DBC convention. These data come from the DBC website, DBC media release, and the websites of DBC participants.
My intention is not to imply these statements invalid nor that the DBC representative committed an error. I strongly believe that everybody is entitled to their beliefs, whether we agree with them or not.
In today’s society, transparency benefits the organization more than not. The Deaf Community and the hearing audience will know better where DBC stands. The amount of confusion many face regarding DBC’s stance due its conflicting messages will be reduced. Once everything is put on the table, the full transparency will be best for DBC in the long run.
Since these themes are already explored repeatedly in the DBC site, DBC conference, and blogs/vlogs covering DBC conference, a revision of the DBC’s mission statement to include audism, audism behind the cochlear implants and oralism, and deafhood is encouraged, making DBC more transparent. The viewers can pursue articles on these thought-provoking and complicated concepts in detail on its site. The public, including hearing parents, aren’t familiar with the word audism and the profound impact it has on the deaf education system and American Sign Language. Some Deaf people consider the medical pathology of deafness a form of audism with excessive emphasis on speech and auditory skills at the expense of language, academics, and emotional/ psychological development of the Deaf babies and children.
Deafhood is an internal journey Deaf people process and incorporate deafness along with their identity in a full acceptance. Deafhood also encourages embracement of the deaf trait and promotes Deaf empowerment.
Deaf people who attended DBC came out, highly inspired and empowered. The DBC leaders should be proud of their incredible accomplishment with the successful conference within the Deaf Community. The implementation of changes in mission statement will help improve DBC’s clarity with the Deaf Community and the public.
P.S. I understand this topic is a sensitive topic. However, I must request that the commenters address to the topic. We need a constructive dialogue and not attacking each other. MZ
DATA PRESENTED:
GEARING UP:
the rise and fall of the Oralist Movement
left thousands of destroyed lives in its wake
force them to try to communicate by vocalizing sounds they cannot hear, in a medium in which they have no real access
FRIDAY EVENING OPENING CEREMONY:
AG Bell must go!
(Referring to AG Bell) “….This is the end.
Oralism is wrong.
BLUE RIBBON CEREMONY:
Oppression, cochlear implant, more deaf children getting c.i.,
oralism, teen isolation due to mainstreaming,
rejection, Hitler, involuntary sterilization, ban on
deaf marriage, genetic engineering, isolation by
hearing families unfamiliar with sign language,
deaf identity/hearing identity, deaf unity.
The EMANICATION of the Deaf-World from Audio-centric to Visual-centric Values:
the cultural aspect becomes connected to the language in one’s own consciousness.
high proficiency in Deaf culture.
Language proficiency and culture proficiency
STATE CHAPTER MEETING
Deafhood: five minutes long (pictures post below the article)
SUNDAY RALLY & MARCH!:
Let the Deaf children sign and be D-E-A-F and proud!
DBC PRESS RELEASE:AG Bell, Tear Down This Wall! Let All Deaf Children Sign!
The Deaf Bilingual Coalition Conference Inspiring and Empowering for All:
an opportunity for Deaf survivors of AG Bell’s Oralist philosophy to heal from growing up orally and not learning American Sign Language until later in life
Bell, in addition to his promotion of Oralism, served as the honorary president of the Second International Congress of Eugenics
Deaf people and their families who suffered and survived the harmful effects of Oralism
.
DEAFHOOD pictures at DBC:
Deaf Bilingual Coalition Website: http://www.dbcusa.org/
Deafhood picture at 2.15 : http://www.xanga.com/Frank_Sandra/664464538/dbc-conference-slide-show.html
DBC Interview: AG Bell and deaf coalition conferences differ on cochlear implants http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=766249
DBC’s Mission Statement: DBC stands by its mission and continues to promote a clear vision that we support ALL Deaf infants and children to have access to ASL from birth and to be fluent in ASL and English (bilingual). DBC is not against speech and listening training as long as it is partnered with ASL. DBC’s goal is to educate those who impact the lives of Deaf infants and children and find common ground to end the long-time friction between groups who have different philosophies on communication approaches.
http://www.dbcusa.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogsection&id=5&Itemid=12
The subject is closed.
In my last post DBC: Confusing Messages, I asked for clarification about the statements of a DBC representative quoted in the newspaper article as audism and cochlear implants weren’t mentioned in the mission statement of Deaf Bilingual Coalition:
“The two groups will bring their competing agendas to Milwaukee in separate national conferences this week: one that views cochlear implants and auditory-based therapies as a way to give children access to the wider world; and the other that sees them as unnecessary and an affront to who deaf people are as individuals.”
“”We’re concerned about the audism behind the implants - this belief that hearing is more advantageous than being deaf. It’s the same as racism,” she said.”
“You’re only learning how to speak, to regurgitate the words, and only a small percentage of deaf people are successful at that,”
Since people claim that these quotes were taken out of context, this post reveals more data documenting that these topics were also covered during the DBC convention. These data come from the DBC website, DBC media release, and the websites of DBC participants.
My intention is not to imply these statements invalid nor that the DBC representative committed an error. I strongly believe that everybody is entitled to their beliefs, whether we agree with them or not.
In today’s society, transparency benefits the organization more than not. The Deaf Community and the hearing audience will know better where DBC stands. The amount of confusion many face regarding DBC’s stance due its conflicting messages will be reduced. Once everything is put on the table, the full transparency will be best for DBC in the long run.
Since these themes are already explored repeatedly in the DBC site, DBC conference, and blogs/vlogs covering DBC conference, a revision of the DBC’s mission statement to include audism, audism behind the cochlear implants and oralism, and deafhood is encouraged, making DBC more transparent. The viewers can pursue articles on these thought-provoking and complicated concepts in detail on its site. The public, including hearing parents, aren’t familiar with the word audism and the profound impact it has on the deaf education system and American Sign Language. Some Deaf people consider the medical pathology of deafness a form of audism with excessive emphasis on speech and auditory skills at the expense of language, academics, and emotional/ psychological development of the Deaf babies and children.
Deafhood is an internal journey Deaf people process and incorporate deafness along with their identity in a full acceptance. Deafhood also encourages embracement of the deaf trait and promotes Deaf empowerment.
Deaf people who attended DBC came out, highly inspired and empowered. The DBC leaders should be proud of their incredible accomplishment with the successful conference within the Deaf Community. The implementation of changes in mission statement will help improve DBC’s clarity with the Deaf Community and the public.
P.S. I understand this topic is a sensitive topic. However, I must request that the commenters address to the topic. We need a constructive dialogue and not attacking each other. MZ
DATA PRESENTED:
GEARING UP:
the rise and fall of the Oralist Movement
left thousands of destroyed lives in its wake
force them to try to communicate by vocalizing sounds they cannot hear, in a medium in which they have no real access
FRIDAY EVENING OPENING CEREMONY:
AG Bell must go!
(Referring to AG Bell) “….This is the end.
Oralism is wrong.
BLUE RIBBON CEREMONY:
Oppression, cochlear implant, more deaf children getting c.i.,
oralism, teen isolation due to mainstreaming,
rejection, Hitler, involuntary sterilization, ban on
deaf marriage, genetic engineering, isolation by
hearing families unfamiliar with sign language,
deaf identity/hearing identity, deaf unity.
The EMANICATION of the Deaf-World from Audio-centric to Visual-centric Values:
the cultural aspect becomes connected to the language in one’s own consciousness.
high proficiency in Deaf culture.
Language proficiency and culture proficiency
STATE CHAPTER MEETING
Deafhood: five minutes long (pictures post below the article)
SUNDAY RALLY & MARCH!:
Let the Deaf children sign and be D-E-A-F and proud!
DBC PRESS RELEASE:AG Bell, Tear Down This Wall! Let All Deaf Children Sign!
The Deaf Bilingual Coalition Conference Inspiring and Empowering for All:
an opportunity for Deaf survivors of AG Bell’s Oralist philosophy to heal from growing up orally and not learning American Sign Language until later in life
Bell, in addition to his promotion of Oralism, served as the honorary president of the Second International Congress of Eugenics
Deaf people and their families who suffered and survived the harmful effects of Oralism
.
DEAFHOOD pictures at DBC:
Deaf Bilingual Coalition Website: http://www.dbcusa.org/
Deafhood picture at 2.15 : http://www.xanga.com/Frank_Sandra/664464538/dbc-conference-slide-show.html
DBC Interview: AG Bell and deaf coalition conferences differ on cochlear implants http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=766249
DBC’s Mission Statement: DBC stands by its mission and continues to promote a clear vision that we support ALL Deaf infants and children to have access to ASL from birth and to be fluent in ASL and English (bilingual). DBC is not against speech and listening training as long as it is partnered with ASL. DBC’s goal is to educate those who impact the lives of Deaf infants and children and find common ground to end the long-time friction between groups who have different philosophies on communication approaches.
http://www.dbcusa.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogsection&id=5&Itemid=12
The subject is closed.
July 8th, 2008 at 11:19 am
Mishka,
with your information presented here, I would now think that DBC is rather misleading. This seems more of anti-AGBell rather than a coalition for bilingualism.
I mean, am I not wrong for assuming that bilingualism means two languages is in use. What happened to spoken English as part of the bilingualism?
Their mission statement does not make sense at all. If they aren’t against speech and listening training as long as ASL is included, then how can they be against CI? Hearing Aid users?
it is from my understanding that majority of deaf people who speak have at least some hearing. With a deaf child, how can they learn spoken English if DBC does not advocate CI or hearing aids?
That confuses me.
-Ben
July 8th, 2008 at 11:23 am
Also, there’s nothing in their conference plans about how to promote bilingualism in mainstreamed schools, deaf schools.
Which method of bilingualism is preferred? Spoken to Signed and writing? Or merely writing? I don’t see the connection between deafhood and bilingualism. Deafhood is a personal thing and bilingualism is more of an educational model.
this seems to get messier and messier the more they talk. What are their bilingual curriculum for pre schoolers? Elem kids? high school? Would their curriculum mean two teachers in a classroom (one signing and the other speaking)?
The whole list seems more like rants against AGBell, sorry to say.
-ben
July 8th, 2008 at 11:26 am
I think you meant to use the word “explicit” or “explicitness” or maybe “comprehensiveness”. The word “transparent” doesn’t quite fit what you are saying.
DBC’s press release on June 7 is very clear, explicit and open, and that reflects what happened at the conference, etc.
The mission statement does not have to be a huge list of every concept that is possibly related to the main points of the mission. Mission statements are short, and they refer to the essentials. That allows elbow room, or an umbrella for people to participate who having varying views.
July 8th, 2008 at 11:33 am
The deafhood via this powerpoint does not fit anything. I understand why the media/press did not interview the leaders much farther…..It’s embarrassing.
Big thanks to Dr. Hocokan for bringing this up.
DBC needs to revamp and organize to promote the ASL.
July 8th, 2008 at 11:33 am
FH,
pray tell me, how does AGBell relate to bilingualism?
Ranting against them for the entire convention doesn’t seem like they at least tried to discuss how to incorporate bilingualism. Telling them they’re oppressive, compare them to nazis and so forth then ask for a open dialogue?
C’mon, be real. You can’t ask AGBell to walk into a lion’s den and expect them to take it.
-ben
July 8th, 2008 at 11:37 am
Ooops. I meant to say DBC’s press release on July 6, 2008. It is very clear, explicit and open, and it reflects what happened at the conference, etc
July 8th, 2008 at 11:41 am
FH,
are you referring to Brian Riley’s press release? Even Mishka herself said that press release was sending out confusing messages abour DBC.
Could you clarify what you mean when you say “it is very clear, explicit, and open?”
-ben
July 8th, 2008 at 11:43 am
“Ranting” is a distortion on your part, Ben.
You are giving AG Bell way too much benefit of the doubt that they don’t deserve. Why?
You say on your blog that DBC promoting signing along with written English is not bilingualism, but that’s clearly not true. Yes it is bilingualism (ASL and written English is bilingualism.)
The DBC is not against some Deaf or HH children getting the proper amount of speech training, as long as it is not overdone. That’s part of bilingualism, too.
July 8th, 2008 at 11:45 am
Mishka,
I have another question: isn’t it another form of audism to restrict children and adults access to CI beacuse it is based on the ability to hear? Isn’t it equally as oppressive to let a child be deaf and suffer the same hardship we had to due to our inability to hear?
I can understand how CI is oppressive to Deaf culture and values. But if you look at it the other way around could the same be said?
Just curious on what you think on that.
-ben
July 8th, 2008 at 11:46 am
This press release:
http://www.dbcusa.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=53&Itemid=30
July 8th, 2008 at 11:48 am
FH, yes, one press release was transparent, however it doesn’t fit the mission statement. From what I’ve observed, oralism, audism, and deafhood are also significant. Consequently, it would be better if the mission statement “one sentence “DBC is not against speech and listening training as long as it is partnered with ASL” is also modified for better accuracy.
Ben, the three presentators on Saturday did cover bilingualism extensively. The presentators on Sunday covered both the language and culture. I’ll need to review, but my impression is that on the Sunday presentation, at least one didn’t touch much on bilingualism.
July 8th, 2008 at 11:49 am
uhm. I don’t know about that. Written English is far different than the vernacular, if you ask me. I can hear enough to know that.
Written English is more of The Queen’s English than spoken, to be honest. In the south, where I am: people say “ain’t” and it’s not appropriate for written English.
but my question is: why can’t these children have the chance to hear? I mean, with a CI, they could throw it out if they didn’t want to hear…I support the whole bilingualism thing.
What I don’t understand is how restricting a child’s access to hearing and speaking any different than restricting a child’s access to ASL?
-Ben
July 8th, 2008 at 11:49 am
Ah, okay, thank you for the clarification, Mishka.
July 8th, 2008 at 11:50 am
Bilingualism HAS oracy. Even Dr. Nover acknowledges that oracy has its place in Bi Bi philosophy… not only ASL and written English. ASL and written English AND spoken English from some deaf children who have aptitude for it. Oracy means speaking, listening, and speechreading (lipreading). So it is better to say ASL and English, not ASL and written English, to give more elbow room to define what English means for deaf people… not all deaf people are alike.
July 8th, 2008 at 11:51 am
Answer to #12,
Deaf children are visual beings. Using hearing technology doesn’t allow them to hear equally as hearing children.
It’s not correct to equate or compare those two positions as you do.
July 8th, 2008 at 11:56 am
FH… NOT all deaf children are visual beings. My son who is deaf is considered as an aural being… he learns best through listening and speaking than through ASL, despite he was born to a deaf family and all.
My daughter on other hand is a visual being. The minority of deaf aural learners is not well-known, so we know more about visual learners than aural learners.
July 8th, 2008 at 11:58 am
Karen that doesn’t really make sense. Your son has normal vision and imperfect hearing, therefore he is primarily a visual being, physically.
July 8th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
I know it is a hard concept for you to grasp. The deaf school refused the full time placement for my son because of his learning style. Dig around more, you’d learn more about deaf aural learners. I am not talking about CIs… I am talking about deaf children who are late-deafened, whose first langauge is English, who has excellent aural skills, recieves good benefits from amplification devices, etc.
Deaf children are different.
July 8th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
FH,
You are misinformed. Language acquistition happens at infancy. If a child is implanted at that stage of their life, they will acquire spoken language far much better than if the child waited until they were 18.
It is not fair to immediately assume that once a baby is born deaf, they will be visual. It’s all a matter of that window period. The brain is not hardwired until the child leaves its infancy stages. If a child misses that period, then an implant would be silly. If the child has not missed that, then who are you to determine whether or not the child is visual or not.
-ben
July 8th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
I mean, my son will attend the deaf school on a part time basis… for gym, ASL/Deaf Studies, and vocational technology… that is it. He will spend the other half days at the local mainstream school for core academic subjects. That way he’d have two worlds.
July 8th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
FH,
Karen and Ben were right at this point. Think about Heather Whitestone and her hearing ability. She was born deaf and raised with hearing aids. And then, she got her CI several years ago.
Training, training, training and she is the one of the luckiest people.
Speech therapists and parental involvement are the key.
July 8th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Hearing devices do not provide 100% hearing. Deaf children who use them (who have normal vision) are still PRIMARILY visual beings, and they are aural beings only secondarily, physiologically.
This is one of the basic points that people misunderstand. Deaf children can develop normal cognitive skills by using a natural visual language. They will NOT develop normally by relying on imperfect hearing that devices give.
July 8th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
Okay.
I am deaf. Born deaf.
My two chldren are deaf. One late deafened, another born hard of hearing. I LEARNED a lot from deaf schools… the professionals from both of schools. Even deaf professionals who acknowledge there are aural learners.
My son is ahead in reading and writing skills, due to relying on his aural skills. Even his hearing aids give the benefits to him… he hears at 20 dB with digital hearing aids alone. That is a LOT… that is why he is not a candidate for CI, because he receives benefits from hearing aids alone.
He prefers FM system over interpreters in the mainstream setting.
I could go more, but I sense you have trouble grasping the facts I just gave to you.
July 8th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
If I may interject, I only ask that the DBC considers about expanding its mission statement to cover the issues they explored in the blogs and at the conference, not whether they are right or not. They are entitled to their beliefs.
July 8th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
FH,
If there’s anything I’ve learned through my experience of blogging: making blanket statements are unwise. It appears that there are exceptions to every rule.
*shrugs* I just don’t think you have any business telling a child that they cannot hear or restrict their access to being able to hear.
c’est tout.
-Ben
July 8th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Okay, MZ, sorry for going off of your posting. Yes, the mission statement needs to be revisited, after the euphoria dies down.
July 8th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
If he is late-deafened, that means he spent the fist part of his life being equal as a visual and aural being. Then he lost his hearing, or most of it, and became primarily a visual being in terms of his senses, but still has some strong aural cognitive skills.
It’s not easy to describe the situation. However, your son could benefit tremendously in many different ways, if you allow him to be exposed to ASL, cognitively, socially, emotionally and in many other ways.
July 8th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Mishka,
Point taken. Indeed, I agree with you on that one. DBC does need to expand their mission statement. I won’t argue anymore about whether or not all deaf children are visual and not aural.
Ben
July 8th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Ben,
Who is “telling a child that they cannot hear or restrict their access to being able to hear”? I never said that. A good parent will try to see what their child wants and needs and will try to nurture the child.
That’s the main problem, because there are many hearing parents who are deceived by AG Bell into thinking that what their child really needs is a hearing device and they do not really understand all the ramifications of that choice.
You seem to be reading too much into people’s words as part of your own experience. It’s unfair for you to take your own unique experience and try to portray it as something that applies to everyone else. That’s counterproductive.
July 8th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
*sigh* I have no problem with examining issues and whether leaders are being responsible. I do have a problem with people dismissing proficiency in both written English and ASL as non-bilingualism. As someone who has read extensively on the topic, both specific to signed languages and bilingualism in general, and as someone who has gone through all of the AEBPD training as a mentor in order to train other teachers, I am amazed at this proclamation. It is patently and absurdly false, based on all the available research out there. Saying it is not bilingualism is BS.
Furthermore, I don’t think people are telling deaf children they cannot hear. There is a difference between questioning the need for surgery and saying, “OK, let’s not give you everything. Let’s deprive you of something.”
C’est tout, c’est vrai. J’ai fini ici et bonne chance avec votre vacances, Ben. À bientot.
July 8th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
FH, ahhh… there are many things you don’t know.
He is exposed to ASL on an everyday basis, having a deaf family. Has deaf friends, etc. But he is MORE comfortable with aural training… right or wrong? Nope. It is the way he is.
Have a good day.
July 8th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
ME REALIZE ME FORGET EXPLAIN A E B P D MEAN WHAT? A E B P D MEAN A S L ENGLISH BILINGUAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. SELF PROGRAM RUN BY WHO? DR STEVE NOVER, SELF RUN C A E B E R. CURIOUS WANT LEARN MORE? GO LOOK caeber.gallaudet.edu.
ONE MORE, ME USE A S L G L O S S WHY? ME WANT SHOW A S L YOUR (rt loc) STRUCTURE, ENGLISH YOUR (lf loc) STRUCTURE VERY DIFFERENT. KNOW YOUR (rt loc) STRUCTURE, KNOW YOUR (lf loc) STRUCTURE, MEAN WHAT? KNOW TWO DIFFERENT LANGUAGE.
NOW ME TRUE-BUSINESS FINISH HERE. PEACE.
July 8th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Jenny,
I have not said that written English alone isn’t bilingualism. I’m surprised at the disregard of the aural aspect of English. English encompasses both: the spoken and the written. Diminishing one aspect of a language is, to me, is not really accepting English as a whole language.
As a person who can hear a little bit, I don’t think you understand the differences in the spoken part and the written part–they are intertwined. The spoken aspect transforms the written part and the written maintains stability for the spoken; hence the reason why English has not transformed as much since Shakespeare than from Chaucer to Shakespeare.
FH said that I declared that knowing merely written form of English is not bilingualism. Up to early 2000s, my deaf peers and I were still saying “bad” as slang while our hearing counterparts were saying “word!”
One cannot reject the spoken aspect of English and claim full understanding of the language. “An hour” instead of “A hour” is based on the silent “h” this is part of the spoken aspect, not the written.
If you read what I quoted from Ella and DBC members, you’d see that hearing parents would immediately view their statements as depriving the child from being able to hear. Perhaps you don’t understand, but hearing people are truly dependent on their hearing and their lives basically depend on it. It’s not unfair for them to think that not trying to give the child a chance to hear is deprivation.
From a hearing person’s perspective, the need for surgery is there. It seems that many bona-fide deaf people have difficulty understanding that. Since you seem intelligent, you should know about language acquisition and the impact of not being able to hear during that window period.
I think DBC would be more accepted and welcomed if they took on the attitude of “Okay, they can be implanted as long as ASL goes hand in hand with AVT that comes with CI. And the child not be forced to wear CI when they don’t to” Rather than saying the surgery to help the child hear as “insignificant.” To the hearing parents, this is not insignificant and those statements probably hurt.
Vous avez raison, c’est votre avis. Aussi pour tous les choses, c’est vrai.
Et bonne chance a vous aussi. biosous.
-Ben
July 8th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Well said and GLOSSed, Jenny!
Thank you, Mishka, for saying the DBC folks are enlightened to their beliefs, and clarifying your own point which is the suggested expansion of mission statement.
What it boils down is that Deaf babies need to access ASL REGARDLESS of whether they are implanted or not. Many AVT therapists practice the behaviour of telling parents that they will kick them off their clientele list if the parents choose to use ASL in addition to what they are doing with their children.
That practice is what I’m against. The DBC advocates the addition of ASL to Deaf babies’ lives, whether they are implanted or not.
What I saw at the DBC convention was a strong focus on bilingualism. What was discussed was the need to provide children with ASL, and at least two presenter emphasized the need to use ASL and English in natural way and use ASL as a first language to help acquire English. Teaching strategies were given, both to educators and to parents in layman terms as well as professional terms.
DBC did not espouse ASL to the EXCLUSION of English, despite what you may think, those of you who have NOT attended the convention.
I truly believe that had people attended the convention, these people would not be saying half the things they have said in their respective blogs.
Instead of being quick on the draw to criticize, ATTEND the convention whenever the next one may be. THEN you may criticize all you want. Until then, be patient and don’t criticize based on half a picture interpreted through YOUR own lens.
Shelley
July 8th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
It seem like DBC is anti-agbell. It is parent’s right to make decision to raise their child. I am deaf and i grew up in public school until i went to deaf school in 10th grade. I really never support ASL when i was in high school. It is like broke-up english lang. I understand it is easy for deaf to learn ASL, but i noticed some deaf write ASL on paper. It should not be written lang. I support spoken lang. and write english. we live in real world. ASL belong to deaf community.
July 8th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Why do I get the sense that the direction the DBC Conference took in Milwaukee was an “us versus them”, or as their press release said it, ” a David and Goliath” clash?
It seems that fighting AGBell and Oralism is the familiar route to the Deaf. It’s familiar history. It’s familiar territory. It’s also the easy way to support a cause, in this case, DBC. Rally against AGBell and there’s a ready audience of Deaf supporters.
The hearing parents of deaf children is something so new, a totally different audience that knows next to nothing about deafness, ASL, and Deaf culture. They’re the ones in shock and grieving for their deaf child, after getting the news from the doctor/audiologist.
This is unfamiliar territory for the Deaf supporters of DBC. The hearing parents of deaf children are going to be the hardest audience to reach and to educate about the bilingualism program. It’s like trying to paddle upstream against the current, but that’s what it is. A f***ing hard job that few Deaf people want to do.
IMHO this is truly DBC’s job and DBC’s leaders have skirted the issue of who their actual audience is.
To have a mission statement (the why) without addressing the target audience (the who) is kinda like not having an inkling of where to go with the purpose.
July 8th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Mishka, I’m about to go off topic in response to one of the commenters.
Deaf Pride,
ASL is NOT broken English. ASL is a distinct language with its own linguistic features, syntax, grammar, yada yada. It’s a visual-spatial language, as opposed to English which is a linear, aural language.
The English language originated as an oral language until a written system was set up to record information that originated in oral tradition. For example: the saga of Beowulf was originally sung by bards until monks documented it into writing. Later Beowulf became part of English literature (odd because it was originally a Scandinavian legend).
Navajo language has been an oral language for a long time without a written system until one was created.
The Sumerians in ancient times had only a spoken language until they created the cuneiform, a system of writing to record the spoken language.
Are you saying that ASL CANNOT be recorded on paper? One day it will be, as people at Ph.D levels are presently figuring out how to do that.
At present, ASL is documented on videos and DVDs, so that is one type of document made possible by today’s technology.
Sorry, Mishka, for going off your topic. Thank you for allowing me time to address this in your blog.
Shel
July 8th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
I second your comment, Shel.
ASL is a true language, and I recall having Dr. Noam Chomsky of MIT back ASL as a true, sound language. In fact, he said there are no linguist who would dispute that.
Ben
July 8th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
MZ –
Yes, DBC needs to revise their mission statement and stick with it… I mean, what is the point if they have a mission statement and go around bashing AG Bell?? It makes no sense to me. That is not a mission, it is a war. It is a war over, not territory, not money, not oil, but the number of deaf children. That scares the hell of out me.
Now, I have to say something to FH. Deaf babies are not automatically visual beings, that is silly. It is a survival thing. It is purely instinct. Babies are strong beings, stronger than most adults, and they adapt very well. So, that said, shy not give them access to every possible method? How can you know that a deaf baby would be better with only ASL and not any form of aural methods? How can you justify that? You can’t and you better believe it!
“However, your son could benefit tremendously in many different ways, if you allow him to be exposed to ASL, cognitively, socially, emotionally and in many other ways.” Are you judging us? If?! How do you know us and our son? Go and read his blog and then tell us we are in the wrong! You know nothing of my son and his 11 years! Nothing! So, please, keep you opinions to yourself. That is what is scaring me about people like you and DBC, they are influencing the lives of innocent babies. And do they care?? Makes me wonder. It is not the impression I’m getting.
I’m sorry MZ, but I can’t stand people like FH and their false ideology.
July 8th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Yes, the Saturday presentators did go in depth about Bilingualism. However, the other times weren’t spent on Bilingualism, but culture, language, oralism, and audism, so forth. I don’t have any problem with that, not at all. It would be nice if the mission statement also reflects that so people would be more clear where DBC stands.
deaf pride, ASL is a bona fide language, not reserved solely for Deaf people More and more babies are using ASL to communicate until their vocal cords mature enough to permit them to talk. Many autistic people use ASL. Also people who are unable to talk for some reason, though they are not Deaf, use sign language. ASL is one of the most popular foreign languages in high schools and universities.
Like you, I used to think ASL was a broken English. But that was before I learned ASL and it’s a beautiful language, unlike any other language. I kiss-fist ASL.
July 8th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Ben,
I agree. The fact that people, including Deaf ones, continue to think that ASL is broken English even today in 2008 floors me.
I know I used to think that way when I was a child. I know better now, through personal experience as well as documentation by linguists.
Shel
July 8th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
ok ASL is a true language? to who? how we reach to hearing parents about ASL ? They want to hear child’s voice and join hearing world. I dont blame them for wanting to hear child’s voice and be able to talk with parent. Can you blame them if they dont want to learn ASL ? ASL is slient lang. that no one can hear or speak or written. Can you tell me why over 70% deaf people get SSI OR SSDI ? They learn ASL and weak in english and they didnt do well in real world. who they blame ? of course AGBELL
July 8th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Just wanted to quickly point out Karen’s comment #23, I am hard pressed to beleive that fact that you son’s reading and writing skills are ahead, simply because of his aural skills. There’s many hearing people out there with perfect hearing, yet their reading and writing skills are sub-par. And there are profoundly deaf people with excelling reading and writing skills.
Karen, I am going to take a wild stab in the dark here and assume that your son’s reading and writing skills are ahead, simply because he does a lot of reading. Does he?
July 8th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
Comment #43
Karen is a parent. She has been involved working with her kids. That is how their kid’s writing and reading skills that are ahead.
Parental Involvement is the key. That’s how it works.
July 8th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
The message on the front (opening ceremony, blue ribbon ceremony, rally etc) needs to be consistent with the mission statement. For sessions during the conference, I do not see problems with including various topics covering Deafhood and audism in way how Deaf children have been impacted by the system, etc. That is how many conferences run.
Once front messages become consistent with more dialogues with professionals and parents of Deaf children, DBC shall begin accomplishing its original mission. The other mission DBC has been doing is to keep on empowering Deaf people, that is another task they need to figure out how well this will work with original mission, to support bilingualism for all Deaf children. I see that they are two completely different goals. This spreads energy more thinly I think.
Consider the need and resource and how much is it worth investing in actions to accomplish, which mission, Deaf children or empowering Deaf people or both?
This can be fixed yet there are more issues far more grave to be revealed and considered anyway.
July 8th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
aye indeed white ghost, it also takes parental involvement to get their kids to read doesn’t it? I just pondered her reasoning when she said “My son is ahead in reading and writing skills, due to relying on his aural skills.” She said that and I wasn’t doubting her parental skills at all as I can see that she is a terrific mom to her kids.
July 8th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Clarification: I am not saying that DBC has yet to have dialogues with parents and professionals of Deaf children, I do see DBC being barred from dialogues i.e. one interview was denied. I would spend more time getting this resolved and worry about Deaf children first.
Confusing messages might had caused closing skywalk and refusing interview. That is what I am wondering.
July 8th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
To #42
Dr Chomsky is internationally known linguist at MIT. He is considered one of the foremost experts in his field. He is a hearing man, apparently not fluent in ASL, and he clashed with Dr. Stokoe (the one who placed ASL in the field of lingusitics).
But both men agree on this: ASL is a true language just like English, French, or even Chinese. This fact is indisputable whether you want to believe it or not.
Your claim of 70% of the Deaf population being on SSI /SSDI please show proof of that. I can hardly believe that number…
July 8th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Anne Marie, I agree that the workshops covered bilingualism thoroughly.
However, DBC did explore audism, audism behind cochlear implant, and so forth with the reporter and its press release. Should the readers want more information on these valid topics, they won’t find it at DBC site.
July 8th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Annie Marie,
But my question here is: why is it that DBC have rallies or convention at the same location and same time as AGBell’s?
If their mission is truly what they say, then why can’t they have their convention with NAD or even on its own?
Also, a blogger pointed out that the walkway was open on certain days and times. It wasn’t AGBell who managed to close it. Egbert said “Hyatt Sales manager” gave DBC a call and warned them of that.
There’s no documentation to prove that. Along with the blogger’s discovery at Mich., I’m beginning to suspect that this is just a smear campaign against AGBell to attract more Deaf people.
July 8th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Mishka,
Are you suggesting that DBC include these topics on their website? I think that would help with their message being consistent
July 8th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
omment #43,
I agree with White Ghost. Parental involvement plays a huge role in heightened literacy. What’s more, Karen is bilingual and knows both ASL and English. Of course, her child is growing up bilingually. ASL is used at home from birth, and reading is obviously a big part of the family life. (I am assuming here as I don’t know Karen personally and have never met her… but read her comments enough to be able to infer the things I’m saying here)
I feel bilingualism is key to higher literacy skills, regardless of hearing ability or “deaf ability”
As a mother of 5 KODA boys, I, along with my husband, used ASL with them from birth, and of course relied on music tapes, and audio books as well as hearing relatives and friends to model spoken English. Videotapes were CC’d. I would often stand beside the TV to show ASL translations, or just describe what happened in ASL.
We also modeled our love of reading, so there were plenty of books available for my kids to pick up.
My eldest has high literacy skills so that when he got to kindergarten, he was already reading at least two grades higher level.
At my boy’s school, there were 7 students, including my son, who were placed on IEPs for giftedness. ALL of them came from bilingual backgrounds (French/English, Portuguest/English, Dutch/English. etc All are hearing)
So, Karen’s son and my son are proof that bilingualism lead to higher literacy level. Barb DiGi and her children are other examples.
So that is one reason why I feel it important that Deaf children have the chance to be bilingual from birth.
Shelley
July 8th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
deafpride, the deaf people who didn’t do well weren’t taught in the bilingual philosophy. Most had oral beginnings, then moved on to the English-coded sign language methods (Total Communication, Simultaneous Communication, SEE I SEE II, which are artificial languages. These artificial languages don’t give a solid language foundation.
However, recent studies show that deaf kids taught in the pure bilingual method using ASL and written English, from the very beginning, fare much better academically than their deaf peers.
Ben, yes. Otherwise how can they understand what these concepts are? These terms are foreign to the average Joe and Mary.
July 8th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Mishka, I agree.
TC, See, SimCom, etc are not languages, not even artificial. They are modes in which to teach English in schools… Modes to communicate in English.
These modes truly violate the rules of BOTH English and ASL. The result is that children develop either broken English or broken ASL.
So this results in lowered literacy.
True bilingualism enhances literacy. ASL is a bona fide language, and so is English. There you have the ingredients necessary as long as neither is creolized.
Shel
July 8th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
#52 - totally agree on your viewpoints regarding bilingualism and parental involvement,heck as a child myself, every SINGLE time I asked my mother to take me to the library to get more books to read, she would drop whatever she was doing in a heartbeat, no questions asked and haul me off to the library. She did this every week. I probably read every encyclopedia brown book at least 5 times
I used to read a LOT, of course a major factor was due to my parents, another was the fact that TV was not captioned back then 
I only said that I found it hard to beleive that her son’s reading and writing skills were based on his aural skills and it appears that some people are taking this comment differently from what I had intended.
July 8th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
Mishka (#53) you say that they do better than their deaf peers academically, which is probably the case, but I do have to wonder what aboout professionally as adults, in terms of careers? Which could potentially be a major factor in hearing parents of deaf children in deciding to go for CI? Unfortunately, in some cases out there, hearing employers would likely choose the one that cant speak and lean towards hiring an oral person having an BS degree over a non-oral person having a PhD, which is bullsh*t!
But that could be one factor that these parents are thinking and because they look to AG Bell to trying to ensure that their kids speak and if the AG Bell people are saying “don’t use sign language”, odds are that those parents are unfortunately going to listen.
That reason alone, is probably why DBC has there conferences where AG Bell has theirs so that they can reach out to those same parents.
July 8th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
Shel,
Total Communication originated by a deaf man, Roy Holcomb. Cued Speech came right out of Gallaudet. Carl pointed out that NAD was selling/distributing SEE textbooks. I think maybe we should start looking within the community first before we go out and say they’re not right.
How could they know that? Especially when these came right out of the core of the Deaf community…
-Ben
July 8th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Well, I read to both of my children from the early age, as any eager parents who want their child/children to have the best world. Remember I said that my son was born normal hearing, so his first language was naturally English. I was pregnant with my daughter when I was informed of my son’s hearing loss, but by then he was already reading independently (NOT chapter books, mind you…) and he was skilled at singing nursery rhymes, etc. His hearing loss is progressive… went from 35 to 40 db loss in 2000 to 100 dB this year. Nowadays he prefers listening to music over reading, just like any preteens. I believe that his brain was already wired to be aural, which leads the deaf school to refuse full time placement for him, but okay with the part-time placement, due to his learning style. ASL is second language for him.
Even my daughter whose first language is ASL… not English… is an avid reader and reads above grade level as well. She loves music also.
Me love music? Nope. I am deaf-tone when it comes to music :o)
July 8th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Ok, Anon, let me try answering your question…
I have to agree with my wife as he learned more from aural skills as we didn’t find out that he was deaf until age of 3 or there bouts as he has a progressive hearing loss. So, we treated him like a hearing child and spoke with him most of the time, of course, we signed, but I can admit that I could have signed more. Of course, we read to him using our voices. And most of the time, I sang the books to him as most kid books are poetic anyway.
I know this much, he does all of his spelling verbally.
He loved reading about dinosaurs and how do you sign the different names, so I have to say I spoke them.
It goes on and on. I guess, it is now a habit and I will say that it was a good habit.
I hope that helps.
July 8th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
My wife reads my mind and always beats me to the punch!!
Music is from me!
I love it and love it loud! Yea, I’m the bad influence! But, hey, that is me.
July 8th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Brian, I hav no doubt whatsoever that his aural skills may have helped in many areas of his life. I just became skeptical when it was said that his reading and writing skills were where they are due to his aural skills.
Simply because if you were to use that as an “argument” then we would have absolutely no illiterate people in the hearing population and you and I both know that isnt the case at all.
However, I will say that I will be very impressed if you verbally say “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” to your son, especially if its a word he hadn’t heard before, and he spells it correctly right away
Lastly, let me make it very clear that I know for a fact that both you and Karen are excellent parents for your kids, heck the world needs more parents like you both!!!
I’m only just saying that I didn’t see how aural skills applied to reading and writing skills, thats all. I know for a fact that they can benefit your son in areas outside of that.
July 8th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
ok why do you think AGBELL not working with NAD ? anyone can answer this ? why AGBELL complain about deaf people use ASL on pepsi commerical before superbowl?
The answer is $$$$ from AVT and C.I company give money to AGBELL. This is the reason why DBC fight about this issue. The sad part they forgot about deaf kids…..
July 8th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Hee, he can say and write “super…. blff.” I can’t do both. My daughter can say “super… blff”, but not write it.
:o)
July 8th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
We all know that hearing children also have problems with literacy… not only deaf children.
Deaf children of deaf parents usually fare better in ASL/English literacy. Deaf children of hearing parents, yeah… as long as hearing parents are involved, yeah they turn out great also. But then we have seen many deaf children whose parents are not involved turn out to be great also. There are MANY factors, so it is kinda unpredictable.
As for NAD and AGBell… I have a question… HAS both ever gotten together, shared workshops, etc., at all in the past? I am curious.
July 8th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Ugh, I mean HAVE, not HAS.
July 8th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Ben, in response to your comment #57,
Remember the time period in which Total Communication, and SEE came out. The prevailing perspective was that Deaf children MUST learn English, and modes were created with that in mind.
Gerilee Gustason ( I believe she’s deafened as a child…correct me if I’m wrong) invented SEE, so that Deaf children would learn English. TC was set up as a compromise, but the ultimate goal was that Deaf children learn the English language.
At the time, ASL had so recently been recognized as a language by Stokoe in the 1960’s. That information wasn’t mainstream then. ASL as a language to learn wasn’t a priority.
ASL as a field of study was still in its infancy.
Speaking of the modes coming out of the core of deaf community… Hmm. Core. Define core… as in the grassroots community, or the “elites” who were found in Gallaudet?
In that time period of the sixties and seventies, Gallaudet was a bastion of deaf community at the time where everyone thought it best to focus energies on learning THE language…English. Energies were not focused on ASL as much, nor was there research on bilingualism.
We have made great strides since then in the study of ASL linguistics, and bilingualism. But we still have a long way to go.
Canada has a history of bilingualism since the government recognized French as another official language of Canada.
Even today after research on bilingualism re: French and English, there are still attitudes that English is better than French, and that it is ok to learn English to the exclusion of French. We see this parallel with ASL and English.
There are still people both in the hearing community and deaf community who believe it is better to learn English than ASL, and that it is okay to focus on English to the exclusion of ASL.
In the case of Deaf babies, we do have the responsibility of educating people that it is better to go the bilingual route rather than English ONLY.
Shel
July 8th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
deaf pride, this probably has many answers, its relatively simple, alexander graham bell himself was absolutely against deaf culture, he didnt want them to intermingle, he didnt even want deaf people marrying each other.
I would agree that the almighty dollar is another reason. No one has ever done an unbiased study to show that ASL can work with oralism, or at least I havent seen any documentation of this. All the studies that the “AG Bell people” show are quite biased and they can manipulate variables rather easily to show their conclusions. And I would imagine CI companies funded the bulk of this research. They are not going to fund any research that shows ASL works with oralism cuz it could lead to a decline of there business. No one else is willing to fund unbiased research, so again, it comes down to the almighty dollar.
July 8th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Anon, gotcha! Finally, huh? Thanks for bearing with me and making it clear! Awesome of you!
July 8th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
ASL is not money making business everyone know that that is what AGBELL dont want to fool with it. AGBELL want spoken english and hearing for deaf kids… that all they want.. They dont want ASL to screw up their speaking skills, which it is bull***.
July 8th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
deaf pride,
AGBell’s bullshit system actually works for some people, or else they wouldn’t have lasted this long.
July 8th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
This I have to agree with a need of revising the mission statement.
Abit off the topic here..
As I seen the DBC Interview was denied cause really it was solely AG Bell Conference Weekend, why have bad publicity from DBC . Why not DBC go to talk with anyone other than the conference. To me it was so obvious the reason DBC is there at the same time to do the rally against AGBell. What’s the point why not have their own weekend but I guess they want to take the advantage of AGBell publicity to gain into DBC. People aren’t that stupid to see it what DBC is doing, still so far the videos and blogs (not even all the CORE members) not one or two have any positive talks about anything actually. They are still angry, be it. Peace
July 8th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
i dont have problem with deaf kids speaking and hearing i have problem how AGBELL ruin deaf people’s live in the 1880. should we get over with it? it is same thing as black people do they get over with slavery?
July 8th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Deaf Pride,
Well…If we all had to live in the past, we’d be still apologizing to the Native Americans, Japanese, the disabled, women, African Americans, Mexicans, the mentally impaired, the military, the children, the immigrants, I’m telling you, the list will never end.
Let me ask you this: when is it time to accept that what is done is done and move on? A thousand years? Ten thousands? or even a million years?
July 8th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Amen Ben!!
July 8th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
you try to tell black people in their face i dare you
July 8th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Also just wondering why Barb mouthing the words while she signs about being rejected for an interview with AGBELL, shouldn’t she be closemouthed?? she felt uncomfortable about the father not signing what if the lil girl’s father can talk to his daughter and the lil girl can read lips, what’s wrong with that?? you can’t tell other’s how to raise their kids. Period!! why be angry for??
July 8th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
And what is your point, just a thought? I am not sure I am clear when you said mouthing the words? ASL doesn’t mean being closemouthed though.
You know what? I would be ok as long as this girl responds back to her father orally but she did not do that. There was no real conversation taking place between her and her father based on my observation and it is not the first time when observing elsewhere unfortunately. This is not enhancing language development in any way.
Of course, we are not in the business to tell how others to raise their kids which is never the DBC’s intention. However, we have every right to share our concerns about the misconceptions and myths to parents, professionals, etc. Please review our mission/purpose/goal statements. DBC is here to educate parents that they may not be informed properly about these choices in the first place.
By the way, I am more concerned, not angry, so please don’t distort my messages.
MZ, I have already developed my thoughts in my blog/vlog before reading this entry and will share it soon.
July 8th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
Deaf Pride,
I have been that bold before. I’ve put blacks in their place when they do bring up slavery and historic oppression imposed on them. I remind them that I have never owned slaves, neither have my parents, nor my grandparents, or even my great-grandparents.
I’ve been just as bold with the Jews, reminding them that one can obsess about the holocaust for so long. Swastikas are banned in Germany and Nazism as well. It’s been that way for decades.
What about Iraq? Darfur? How about those starving in Africa without access to healthcare? What about Islamic laws against women in the middle east?
Have we forgotten Cuba? They’re still in an embargo because of Americans. How about North Korea? Why can’t the Palestinians have their own country?
If you want to live in the past, let me remind you of this: most of them are six feet under. Are you really that enthusiastic to join them? What about tomorrow?
How can that be better for everyone if we are adamant in living in the past? The dead are beyond saving but there are millions more still alive, in desperate need for help, for compassion and a little generosity?
Yeah, I’ve told black people that they should be grateful they are merely oppressed here in America and not living under a sheet with eight other people in Darfur. I’ve said to Jews that they should be grateful they experience antisemitism and still have Israel while the Palestinians are lining up at the borders only to be told to go back in a war zone.
So, yeah. I’ve done that. I still stand by these words. I live for tomorrow, not yesterday or the century before that.
July 8th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Wow!
Ya know, I have had discussions with black people about this and they don’t think deaf people went through crap like they did. The ones that do obsess about it are the ones that are using it as an excuse for why they are at where they are in their life.
So, you’ll never be able to succeed in life, not unless you move on.
So, all this blame on AGB is old. Stupid and old.
Give me something that shows that AGB is still at it within the past twenty years.
So far, I have not been able to find anything that indicated such.
AGB has positive information on ASL and Bi-Bi on their website. Does DBC have posititive information about C.I. or AVT on their website?
July 8th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Dr Hokocum spoke the truth. The Deafhood Gods hijacked DBC and ejected other core members. The Deafhood Militants oppose cochlear implants and oralism.
July 8th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
Well, Dr. Hokocum also is under seige by DBC because he is bowing to their request to hold off on anymore declassifying information until NAD conference is over. Kind of makes you wonder if perhaps Dr. Hokocum isn’t who he claims to be.
If he’s real, he’d spill it all before NAD. I wonder how he feels about NAD being under the influence of DBC and Deafhood. hmmmm
July 8th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
Candy, I find it hard to beleive that AG Bell website actually has positive information on ASL, could you kindly point out where you see it on their website as i dont have the desire to look at every page there and I assume you already know where it is.
When you say to give you something that shows AG Bell is still at it, well i dont have the link but I’d imagine you already know about their letter to Pepsi about that super bowl ad?
July 8th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
MZ,
Correct me if I’m wrong, but your article is suggesting that Bilingualism, audism and Deafhood all be included in DBC’s mission statement for the
sake of transparency?
If that’s what you’re saying, then that means DBC’s mission statement will turn into one heckuva soup.
July 8th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
anon, yeah it’s there! They have the information there as a mean to be unbiased and they will give out ASL and Bi Bi resources to anyone that wants it.
I am actually thinking about blogging about it and to also discuss the pepsi letter too. I think many people misunderstood that letter and understood the true intend of AGB. AGB did not want this myth that all deaf people sign. Which is true. Cuz, not all deaf people sign. I might blog about it and until then, hopefully, you’ll understand my view.
I gotta go but, I’ll try to provide the link either here or at my blog.
July 8th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
I meant “and misunderstood the true intend of AGB.”
July 8th, 2008 at 6:12 pm
well Candy I do understand the true intention of AG Bell as I have been to several of their conventions and Ive been to NAD as well, I am on both the oral and signing sides of the fence. So there is no need for you to try to convince me to understand your views as I grew up oral myself. I learned to sign later in life and if you want to discuss myths, based on what I have seen and experience in life and through friends, the myth is actually more towards hearing people actually thinking that all deaf people can speak or read lips one way or another, than it is them thinking that all deaf people sign. A great example is where a signer could get pulled over by a copy and the cop usually continues to try to talk to them.
I know this for myself cuz many occasions I’ve tried using signing only to get myself out of a speeding ticket
altho I was able to understand him clearly, I just pretended that I didnt.
July 8th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Ann C, as it is, DBC gives out conflicting message, including being opposed to audism. Many Deaf people consider speaking and listening a form of audism, yet in the mission statement, DBC stated that they are not against listening and speaking, as long as they are combined with ASL.
Candy, I will believe AGBell when their actions match with their official statements. As we know, actions speak louder than the words. Words are cheap.
Amen, Anon.
July 8th, 2008 at 6:25 pm
Blind Mice, I do have an issue with the word militants. I prefer the word activists or advocates, implying positive and assertive.
July 8th, 2008 at 6:33 pm
Candy, I actually went to their website and typed asl in their search box and it showed 7 results
1. early intervention best practice - it only states asl as a communication node - nothing else
2. How to obtain your service at a university/college - basically how to get an asl interpreter.
3.CLC Member - states one member founder of asl club in college
4. Children’s Legal Advocacy Program - states if child is based in ASL only program they wil help fight it
5. Employee/Employer guide - right to ASL interpreter
6. Hearing Health Dictionary - gives definition of ASL
7. Summer Camps - lists some ASL based camps
They only mention ASL but they do not say anything positive about it, but this basically defeats your previous point when you say they have positive things to say about asl.
July 8th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
Candy, you keep telling us to prove this and that. It’s time for you to put your money where your mouth is and show us evidence that AGB is truly unbiased and actively support ASL. Show us the evidence. Show us the papers. “yeah it’s there” is not good enough. Cite it. Give us the links.
We all understood that letter, and no, we DID NOT misunderstand it. It seems some people are in denial that language oppression is still happening TODAY, and that AGB is merely only paying lip service to “choice”.
I was there at the DBC convention, and Tami, the hearing mother who is one of the core leaders, went inside the AGB convention and had great difficulty in finding booths that had to do with ASL, Gallaudet, only to find them stashed in a distant dark corner. I kid you not. Tami will testify to that, and has already done so at one of the rallies.
AGB felt free to use Gallaudet’s name, and claim they support the choice of parents to use ASL, and yet their actions speak louder than their words.
TALK ABOUT EXPLOITATION! Yes, Mishka, words are cheap.
July 8th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
Here is my old vlog titled How could it be UNBIASED as claimed by AG Bell? found at http://deafprogressivism.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-could-it-be-unbiased-as-claimed-by.html
July 8th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
Shelly, hold your pants on. I did say I was gonna blog about it, ok. I did some research the other day and found some interesting information.
Like I said to DonG, that It wouldn’t be smart to use something that happened a century ago. So, obviously, I’m looking at anything within the past twenty years.
It’s coming. I have a life too, so…give me a day or two.
July 8th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
Candy,
I look forward to your blog. It can be good to know the history of oppression in order to understand what is happening today. It isn’t necessarily bad to reflect on the past and learn from it then apply that lesson to today.
The thing is that while AGBell organization is more sophisticated, and learned to be more subtle, the legacy is still here, and audism is still here in more subtle forms.
I agree that documentation should be more recent to discover what is actually happening. It will be interesting to see what interpretations are made of whatever we all find today.
Shel
July 8th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
When I say “positive” it means there was nothing derogatory nor negative about ASL in their site.
Don’t assume that I am a supporter of AGB or DBC. I’m not a supporter of either. Just pointing out facts, is all.
I know what it is like to go to a school where signs are forbidden. I was there. I know what it is like to go to a residential school. I was there. I know what it is like to go to a public school without an interpreter, again, I was there.
But, that is not the point.
What I’m seeing is negativity towards an entity..all the energy spend on that when it could have been better served towards something that produces results.
ciao~
July 8th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
Candy so youre saying that the fact that they fight against being based in asl based classes as positive????
July 8th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
anon #95,
Please clarify your comment.
Shelley
July 8th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
http://www.agbell.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?p=CLA_Program
go to that link, its self explanatory
July 8th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
Anon, I never said anything like that, so please do not put words into my mouth.
I will not respond anymore on this post regarding AGB. I will blog about it soon.
July 8th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
That link you had, if you read it properly, it does make sense. There is nothing negative about what they are doing. Nothing negative about ASL either. Remember, keep in mind, not every kid requires same services.
July 8th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Candy, Im not against you and I do enjoy your blogs, rest assured of that. But allow me to directly quote you.
“When I say “positive” it means there was nothing derogatory nor negative about ASL in their site.”
If that isn’t negative or derogatory, then based on that quote, you are in effect saying its positive. There is nothing wrong with admitting that you may have erred in that particular statement. No one is perfect and I sure as hell have erred in statements in the past. My respect for you still hasnt changed, as its still high
July 8th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
THERE’S NO ANTI-RACIST TRAINING AT THE NAD CONFERENCE. THERE’S NO RACIST COMPONENT IN THE DBC. It’s a white deaf world.
Here’s a preposterous proposal circulating at the NAD conference:
Title: Deafhood training
Introduced by: Ralph Singleton
Seconded by: David Reynolds
Proposed motion: the NAD board and all headquarters staff shall receive the deafhood training. Additionally, all state associations shall be trained, and also host the deafhood trainings.
Rationale: Deafhood courses are now accepted at some universities and should be widely pushed by the NAD, too. The NAD should cherish the deafhood concept and promote it among its Board members, all state associations and headquarters staff. There are currently 40 trainers available to teach deafhood to all types of audiences around the nation.
Fiscal impact: Minimal, other than presentation costs.
Board comments: the Board supports this concept for the NAD; however, state associations and affiliates make their own decisions regarding training opportunities.
Comments:
As this proposal was circulated, Deaf people of color started to feel sick in the stomach. Is the DBC taking over NAD? The Deafhood movement seems to be led by a radical group of XXX-like white deaf people. Why is NAD allowing itself to give in to the CAD deafhood powerhouses? WHERE IS DIVERSITY????
Doesn’t anyone remember what Paddy Ladd originally wrote about deafhood?
July 8th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
I went to A.G. Bell for a few years then transferred to a public school. I was an oralist student but learned ASL when I was 20 years old. I think deaf babies/young deaf children should learn how to “talk” and sign at the same time. There is nothing wrong with t hat. I strongly believe in bilingiusiam. Deaf babies should be learning ASL. I think DBC is somewhat trying to lead us to believe that DBC is against AGB’s theory of teaching deaf children. It is thier deaf’s parents decision not us. They can make thier own selection instead of forcing them to make ONE selection. they can learn ASL and talk at the same time if the parents want to.
July 9th, 2008 at 12:18 am
#101. Your analysis is patently absurd.
July 9th, 2008 at 1:25 am
You are way way way way out of touch with the
reality. This is sickening!
Get out of the box and get real life!
July 9th, 2008 at 2:07 am
Whoa,
how can #101 be absurd? This is the second time I’ve heard reference to this particular issue about some sort of resolution regarding Deafhood and Audism and there IS racism going on within the deaf community and it is not being addressed.
Wake up people.
July 9th, 2008 at 2:10 am
Paddy wrote a THESIS.
Who does a seminar and workshop based on a THESIS?
lol
The UK is having a field day, I’m sure.
July 9th, 2008 at 2:39 am
Anon,
Right, not negative is positive. However, I seem to get that you are referring to it not being positive due to AGB not “glorifying” ASL in their site.
So, you seem to define positive a bit differently than I do.
Anyways, positive is relative.
So, if there is nothing that puts ASL down in their site, then perhaps they are neutral rather than positive. Either way, I think you know what I mean.
July 9th, 2008 at 8:10 am
Candy,
I noticed comment #81 and saw misinformation. It is not the current DBC core members that asked me to hold onto my evidences. It is the former founding members of DBC that asked me to wait until after NAD’s convention. I am not sure why but out of respect for these individuals I agreed. In short, I am not under seige by DBC. DBC has no power over me just as I have no power over there. One does not need to overpower the other. We all are fighting for integrity here, which DBC obviously lack because they preach and practice different things.
DR Hocokan is not my name. DR is my initial name, given to me by my dear parents. Hocokan is a term used by Lakota for circle, a complete circle and wholeness also known as Medicine Wheel. Their therapeutic approach, if understood and practiced it will help deaf community become united.
So, who am I? Name is Barry Sewell. I am real and yes I will spill the beans (the truth) in an upcoming blog if Ella and her Deafhood group does not come clean on their own. Ella emailed me yesterday and offered to reconcile with me if I behaved and do not flaunt the truth in the blogs. I guess, like John she only understand intimidation tactics. It will not work. She either come clean with me and everybody or she don’t. I’ll do it if she is not able to come clean on her own.
In my response to Ella last night I told her to clarify her position once and for all so that we all are able to make decisions on whether we support her on mixture of DBC and Deafhood. I reminded her of what she told me when I was new to DBC group. She told me that DBC will not discuss oralism and CI but rather stay focused on bilingualism for deaf children. Why the change or shift in tactic? Why mislead many of us into believing that the message would be simple but yet practiced differently? Still awaiting for her response. If she choose to keep Deafhood in as part of DBC then I will not support DBC. If she decide to exercise integrity, maintaining what she promised us then I will continue to support DBC. Some of you will continue to support DBC in midst of Deafhood and some of you will not. The choice is yours and rightfully so. But the point is they should come clean with everybody and define themselves. Are they focused on bilingualism for deaf children or do they want to continue bashing oralists and CI in name of bilingualism and deaf children advocate? That is the question Ella has to answer. John should answer this question too since he also told me that DBC will not discuss oralism method and CI issues. In Milwaukee he practiced differently. He owe us an explanation too.
July 9th, 2008 at 8:26 am
You can check out Candy’s latest posting at her blog: http://candy.blogono.com/2008/07/09/the-dogmas-of-agb-and-asl/
July 9th, 2008 at 9:38 am
Someone claimed that I was collecting snippets of videotapes and statements to paint an inaccurate picture of DBC.
On the contrary, I do know too well how DBC is operated. I am encouraging DBC to embrace integrity by coming forward and share the full agenda. I am still hopeful they will choose to do the right thing. I must admit I am surprised that they haven’t done yet yet. This failure to be fully transparent so far leaves me pondering about the reasons.
July 9th, 2008 at 9:45 am
Yes, MishaZena. They have hurt their creditability. It’s too late.
Deafhood has to go…..
Think of the new hearing parents of the deaf babies to go through the painful stages. It pains me to see the powerpoint.
This powerpoint is a bad example.
July 9th, 2008 at 9:46 am
Barry, I know you are real but I was kind of questioning whether your motives are.
Well, if I was you, I would not have waited. We know how these people are..buying time.
Are you aware of this resolution being or already passed in NAD that has to do with mandatory deafhood training for their board, etc.?
Do you think that they had areas they wanted focused without any diversion and had asked you to keep your mouth shut so they can get on with their business? I dunno exactly what is going on, but none of it looks good at all for NAD.
Heck, I’m not even a member, so…my voice in this area is nil.
Anyways, I do kind of expect to see more truths coming out about Deafhood, DBC and NAD. It seems to be all interwined. I mean, NAD is now already under seige by Ella, from the looks of it.
I can’t help but wonder what will happen to NAD and its future. I know deaf history all too well and am seeing history repeating itself again.
July 9th, 2008 at 9:55 am
Candy, I was the one of two people who asked Dr H to wait. If anyone is to be blamed, it’s me and the other person. I wanted to encourage DBC to take the initative and come clean. I am increasingly disturbed that it hadn’t done yet.
White Ghost, Deafhood has some validity, but I don’t subscribe to what they preach fully. It’s an internal process by each individuals in many different ways. I’ve embraced mine many years ago.
Candy, do tell us what you know with the deaf history and seeing history repeating itself again.
July 9th, 2008 at 10:03 am
You are in the room with mirrors everywhere seeing yourself with Deafhood…Deafhood…Deafhood Are not we in a spooky house? Hee hee
Identity politics does not work.
July 9th, 2008 at 10:14 am
Candy,
Thank you for the constructive feedback. I appreciate that very much. Mind you, I have no motivation except to restore integrity. I am interesting in defending bilingual movement. I was not aware of NAD’s consideration for Deafhood training on its Board and staffs.
Now that I am aware of Deafhood and NAD’s connection I will be mindful of those who asked me to wait and question what their real motivations might have been. Remember, I always look at people at face value and trust them from the very beginning, giving them no reason to betray me. I know I will get burned often but it leaves me with no conscience and plenty of conscience for them. If they for any reason tricked me into waiting so that they are able to buy time and get NAD hooked on Deafhood then all the best of luck to them because the truth will be told as well. If NAD took the bait and fell for Deafhood then what I have to disclose will also place NAD in an awkward position as well. You see, it is not about what I am able to control or uncontrol. My honor is to respect everybody and look at them at face value and entrust them from the very beginning. They may choose to trick me or betray me but they will not be able to erase the truth. Integrity is the key word here.
You could be right. They may have had areas they wanted to focus on without distraction and may have asked me to wait for that reason. If so, I can not control it. It is beyond me. I do not have special powers over them or anybody. If that is what really happened then I will disclose the full truth and expose those who breeched integrity. I agree, NAD does not look good at all. In fact I envisioned the fall of NAD 22 years ago. Long story but the President of Idaho Assocaition for the Deaf took my dues and never recorded me as a member. And when I stood up to voice and vote on an issue I was dismissed. Since then I realized NAD was an elite club for the deaf. They did not truly represent deaf people as whole because their election process are limited to elite few who paid their dues. Our rights to vote in NAD should be based on our status as a deaf person, not based on our ability to afford membership dues. Therefore I envisioned the fall of NAD 22 years ago and evidently they are barely struggling today. I did not agree to hang onto my evidences because I respected NAD. I did it because former founding members of DBC asked me to wait. Out of respect for them I agreed. Let’s just hope they did not manipulate me into something they are going to regret.
Be assured of something… I will disclose the full truth about DBC’s current radical leaders and DBC’s conflicting messages. I will expose Deafhood for what it really is. I have 11 recorded DBC meetings and over 500 emails from DBC core members, many of which came from Deafhood Foundation email address. It is a lot to digest but it shall be done in order to restore integirty and teach others not to manipulate deaf people.
At this point DBC, Deafhood and NAD are interwinded. Ella and her strategy to seige all three entities will backfire. It will turn them into radical movement and enable more hatred towards the public as is evident already. It will backfire and give hearing people more incentives to belittle us and squash us into a history icon figure.
And yes, Deafhood is nothing new. It is a newer version of Deaf Power. They realized that Deaf Power was viewed negatively so they came up with a new fancy word but it means all the same thing, that of deaf power. So, yes you are correct… history is repeating itself. When will we learn?
I am not sure. Look at classic example of MLM and pyramid investment opportunities. Deaf people kept on circulating new pyramic schemes every year and they kept on buying and losing money again and again. It is not because of short memory or memory lapses. It is because they are desperate. They fantastize about things that are not realistic just as they fantastize building a deaf town in South Dakota until somebody came up and said it was unconstitutional for them to discriminate against hearing people. As soon as it was said, the movement fell flat on its back. Guess who said it was unconstitutional? I did. I said it because we’ve been discriminated against many times therefore we of all people ought to know how it feels to be discriminated, therefore why discriminate against hearing people? We need to walk the talk and cease from discrimination practice and set an example for the world.
July 9th, 2008 at 10:17 am
Thank you MZ for acknowledging yourself as one of two individuals who asked me to wait. I appreciate that very much.
Do you know if NAD is really considering trainings from Deafhood Foundation?
Barry
July 9th, 2008 at 10:18 am
Clarification, I am just being funny and at the same time being honest. I will explain more why a very cool concept Ladd proposed turns out to be absurd in some ways, it has gone too far. There will be a new book with a new term, “Deafnicity” by Eckard who is a Deaf scholar at University of Wisconsin. I have been getting information through Deaf Academics forum on this topic for last two years. Know the length of discussion we had on Deafhood on this forum? Only few weeks in two years stretch with occasional revisit lasting one - two days. We did not even mention how it needs to venture that far.
July 9th, 2008 at 10:36 am
Mary, I was involved with DBC at its earliest, and was left off the roster after giving them my opinion that extreme wording such as Holocaust and Nazism should be left out. Back then it was a phase they were going through–to read the riot act to AGBell, so many moderates left. Happily, they have evolved since and are still growing, but the process isn’t complete. As I said in conclusion, separate the self-healing from the parent outreach, and work, as you say, together for the benefit of deaf babies. dianrez
http://www.xanga.com/dianrez/665227614/grieving-before-one-can-take-on-agbell.html
July 9th, 2008 at 10:46 am
Diane,
Thank you for coming forward. Your comment does not validate me or anybody. It validates itself. Thank you for that.
Holocaust terms belong to the Jewsish community as well as Germany as a nation, for them to reflect upon and remember history so that it will not be repeated. We should not exploit these terms for our own use. I am glad you made such suggestion but unfortunately they made a decision to leave you off the roster. They obviously lost a valuable leader.
As soon as I saw the lack for integrity within DBC I resigned because I did not want to afford them the luxury to put me through something like that.
Barry
July 9th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
I just viewed the interview with AG Bell President, Jay at Softballjunke26@aol.com and was surprised to see that most if not all Barb’s hot air (questions) never made it to the interview. Barb demonstrated so much hyper on the stage but in reality the interview was moderately managed. An interesting point to make. Jay with AG Bell said that DBC has never prepared a formal letter or seek formal meeting to introduce itself and seek dialogue with the organization. In short, DBC jumped the gun and prepared a costly rally ($35,000 or more) without allowing for due process first. All that expensive rally have in Milwaukee been done in vain. Deaf people who paid their expenses to attend did it in vain because DBC misled them. A simple formal letter of introduction to AG Bell would have led us to healthy dialogue with AG Bell and seek solutions. Now, how did it not happen and why?
Simple answers. Deafhood. Deafhood is more interested in making hearing people and AG Bell look bad in order to validate itself and to empower its movement. Second reason. Ella, John and their DBC Core Group only understand intimidation tactics because that is what Deafhood promotes. Evidently it backfired. This is an embarrassment.
July 9th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Sorry. Gave you the wrong link. Interview is found at http://deafanthology.blogspot.com/2008/07/da-vlog-interview-with-ag-bell.html.
July 9th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Sorry. The correct link to the interview is at http://deafanthology.blogspot.com/2008/07/da-vlog-interview-with-ag-bell.html.
July 9th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
i love this amazing turn of events.
so, who’s up for a beer? lets celebrate barley and hops while we still can before global warming wipes us out, iran drop nukes, mccain winning the election, and all bunches of horrific chaos from gas prices, bad economy, weak dollar, and crazy religious freaks bent on armageddon come knocking on my front door.
I love my beer. Good luck with all you’ve set out to do.
July 9th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
The first impression is of utmost importance. Therefore, I think the approach to the public in general and AGBell attendées in particular would have been definitely positive had DBC created a 30′ x 4′ sidewall sign as follows:
instead of as follows:
Jean
(An experienced political activist for many years)
July 9th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
annie marie: you’re correct. the deafhood that was spurned from the paddy ladd book is much like the bible: taken too seriously, out of context, and inspiration to do things rashly.
i had rashes as a baby. no need to repeat that crap now.
ask questions, open up the mind, spread them wings, fall down drunk.
life is great.
July 9th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
DBC conference is not a waste to me. Rally is a part of the conference and it allows us to send the message. AG Bell built the wall since Milan days and never was open to accept ASL. They may include ASL in their website but they did not go into details about it. They used Wisc ASLTA in their conference but the booth was hidden way in the back. There were many unsuccessful dialogue historically so why should DBC take the time to write a letter knowing it is a waste of time.
Thanks to all sponsors for the conference. I never had the opportunity to attend such workshops and I have learned so much! I am ready to advocate more in my local community to help families of Deaf children. Thanks to DBC!!
July 9th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
“There were many unsuccessful dialogue historically so why should DBC take the time to write a letter knowing it is a waste of time.”
to use DBC buzz words: germans were known to kill millions of jews. but hey, we drive their cars, shoot their cameras, and such and such.
get your head out of the past and get onwards with the present. go on and advocate Bi Bi to your local community with or without DBC.
July 9th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
DBC Goer… why waste time bothering with a formal letter to AG Bell? Ethics. It is not matter of time but matter of ethics. It is how we earn respects and help them see us as their equal. Don’t get it yet? You never will.
July 9th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Dr. Hocokan has kept saying “I will,”
“I will,” “I will.” By now, it is too
late, for he has already lost his
credibility. No one will believe his
story if he tells it later. Remember
how President Bush 41 told lies through
his yellow teeth, “Read my lips.”
July 9th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Dog food: your analogy about Germans to DBC is way off! Do you still see Nazi group officially recognized by Germany? No! So it goes the same for AG Bell who should not be recognized by our own country that is supposed to represent freedom.
Whoa, DR, I can see your hostile attitude as evident by your comments. You don’t even know me and for you to assume that I will not get it is not nice. I just jumped in this discussion for the first time and already you are attacking me. Umm, something fishy is right! DR’s comments are full of hot air now!
July 9th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
Okay DBC Goer, I apologize. I don’t keep track of new comers and frequent commentors. But the point again is ethics. It’s a natural due process that is practiced everywhere and I like to believe that we deaf people are capable of exercising ethics.
July 9th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Smile. Thanks you Something Fishy. You justgave me the extra incentive to publish the evidences.
Just this afternoon I received the clearance from two initial founding members of DBC to distribute the evidences. The evidences are currently on the way to web master who will posted them in a unique web site belonging to a group of private concerned citizens.
It will include link to a separate blog for those who might wish to comment on evidences and discuss how Deafhood Foundation managed to hijack DBC and how Deafhood managed to liquidate bilingual advocates in favor of Deafhood advocates.
It will also discuss Deafhood’s next strategy, which just proposed to train NAD Boards and staffs. Perhaps NAD is going to be the next victim. Stay tuned.
This group of private concerned citizens will post a unique URL address for you all to see and read. And yes, finally, the push has come to shove, therefore the beans are being spilled. This is called due process. We gave DBC an opportunity to come clean but it appears that thay are not going to take the opportunity so we, private concerned citizens will do it for them. Regards.
July 9th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Let us know when it’s up DR.
Submit it to DeafRead, DeafVillage, DeafPulse, and more.
-Ben
http://blog.benvess.com/?p=140
July 9th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
where is it published?
July 9th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
DT, your are pretty insane.
July 9th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
Comment deleted.
ChrisH, you are officially banned from making comments in my blog.
Thanks,
Ben Vess
He is big baby.
July 9th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
Ben,
Thank you for the VLOG, which you’ve posted recently. My wife and I felt inspired by your message regarding DBC, Deafhood and NAD. In fact we were working with the web master who is in the process of uploading our evidences for all to see. A unique domain name has been registered solely for this purpose, at http://www.DBCFacts.com. The web site is up and running as of this afternoon but will only show temporary post indicating what we all can expect to see. I included a link to your vlogs and hope it is okay with you. I looked for your email address but could not find it but I wanted to seek your permission. I can have the web master remove it if it is not okay with you.
Barry
July 9th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
ChrisH
I warned you about insulting. You decided to be inappropriate, instead of engaging in appropriate dialogue.
Next time, behave appropriately.
-Der Sankt
July 9th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
Title Stupid = Deaf people?? | Bucket of Crabs
Ben Vess, you taught me how to insult someone.
July 9th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
Chris H,
Please no personal insult in this blog. Thanks
July 9th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
And I apologized for that entry. Also, I was insulting a group of people with that headline, not directed at individuals..
I understand that I make mistakes, I gave you the chance to not make that again. Your first comment insulting me is still in my blog. It is when you repeat mistakes without regard to my request that merits a ban, not when you make them.
-Ben
July 9th, 2008 at 8:20 pm
Barry,
Aw, I’m glad to have inspired you and your wife. It was people like you and mishka along with many others who inspired ME to do the vlog.
my email is me@benvess.com (simple yep)
and feel free to use whatever material you want from my blogs/vlogs. For the most part (except photography for sale but lol) everything is public domain.
-Ben
July 10th, 2008 at 7:28 am
NAD and Deafhood. I don’t know if it is good. When I attended Deafhood workshop last fall, it was just a workshop of enpowerment, but I felt uncomfortable with the blameshifting to hearing people for colonization of deaf people, blaming AGBell, etc. I knew right away that it was just their perspective and that I did not have to agree with it.
Now, the proposal of Deafhood training for NAD’s officiers… hmmmm…the trainers would need to leave out the blameshifting, CI, etc. (CI is seen as one of colonization’s devices by hearing people.) I don’t know what percentage of NAD members is hearing, but Deafhood needs to revisit its agenda and change it to more positive advocacy, no blaming, focusing more on personal journey. Group journey? It is kind of vague to me now.
July 10th, 2008 at 8:17 am
I am with you, Karen.
It is vague…and not everyone agrees with it, even amongst the Deaf people.
Just keep it separate.
July 10th, 2008 at 10:30 am
Karen,
Never until now did I know about the existence of Deafhood Foundation as well as about its workshops. I have not heard about it down here in Wash