Comments on: Lack of Diversity in NAD? NAD Responds http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2008/07/10/lack-of-diversity-in-nad-nad-responds/ Endless Pondering Thu, 04 Dec 2008 01:38:28 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Ziggy http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2008/07/10/lack-of-diversity-in-nad-nad-responds/#comment-63195 Ziggy Mon, 14 Jul 2008 13:47:55 +0000 http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2008/07/10/lack-of-diversity-in-nad-nad-responds/#comment-63195 Lindsay, You think you can be a President without going through the ladders. That is what people think they do not have to start with the entry level. They think they have a right to be the President without any experiences. Start at the bottom and prove that you can do it. You can't start at the top or you will fall. Some people get lucky by networking to hook up with the right people to move up the ladder just like you did. Well, there are many people who think the job should be handed to them without the hard work. Lindsay,
You think you can be a President without going through the ladders. That is what people think they do not have to start with the entry level. They think they have a right to be the President without any experiences. Start at the bottom and prove that you can do it. You can’t start at the top or you will fall.
Some people get lucky by networking to hook up with the right people to move up the ladder just like you did.
Well, there are many people who think the job should be handed to them without the hard work.

]]> By: Lindsay Dunn http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2008/07/10/lack-of-diversity-in-nad-nad-responds/#comment-63111 Lindsay Dunn Sun, 13 Jul 2008 03:00:28 +0000 http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2008/07/10/lack-of-diversity-in-nad-nad-responds/#comment-63111 "The vision of the National Association of the Deaf is that the language, culture, and heritage of deaf Americans will be acknowledged and respected in pursuit of life, liberty, and equality". "The mission of the National Association of the Deaf is to preserve, protect and promote the civil, human and linguistic rights of all deaf Americans." Ziggy Says: July 10th, 2008 at 3:55 pm I am just sick of racism. I think it is just a lame excuse. I really don’t believe that racism exists. Ziggy, some of us are people who have played by the rules, got the right education at Gallaudet and then some prestigious graduate school, we joined the right fraternity or sorority and hung out with mostly white friends in college and at work. We never confused our identities. We are black, or Hispanic, or Asian, or Native American or White and we are deaf or DEAF and some of us have CI etc. We use ASL or the ASL that we know how to use. Sorry if our cultural heritage is different because it is probably the reason our ASL might not meet yours or others standards but you know, just as there is Ebonics, there is a black way we use this beautiful visual language or signs. Yes, some of us have been lucky to get an education and laugh when even our white friends tease us about "not being like them" because we are "smart and act white". Been there dear Ziggy and know what? Not many of us want to wait 70 plus years before we can get to where Dr. Davila is as you put it. Why should it take a person of color that long to be considered equal when we are born without any prejudice and born equal? Racism is taught, it is not something anybody is born with. Sexism is taught, homophobia is taught - in fact, all isms are taught - they are not natural phenomenon. Playing and following the rules didnt get many people of color anywhere. Some were unfortunate to be members of the wrong fraternity or sorority, others were "too black" or "too Asian" or "too Hispanic" and "not white enough". Rules are not designed or enforced by us deaf people of color but we are expected to play by them. Look at CSD-F? They recently filled two important leadership positions right? Among the 4 candidates were two qualified people of color right? Did even ONE of them get it? NO - how come? Not good enough. Right. How do we know that? Well the rules say so. Whose rules? Hmmmmmm. Racism doesnt exist? Wow! Wonder if you believe anti-semitism and homophobia do not exist too? I do believe you will not disagree with me when I say the Holocaust actually happened as did slavery and the systemmatic murder of First Nation people. Now kindly look at the NAD Vision and Mission statements. Dont you think perhaps the NAD should change these and remove the culture and heritage line? Perhaps it can be more specific and let us know it is set up as a counterfoil for the oralist objectives of the AGB and therefore its objective is preservation of ASL? That perhaps would be less confusing dont you think? “The vision of the National Association of the Deaf is that the language, culture, and heritage of deaf Americans will be acknowledged and respected in pursuit of life, liberty, and equality”.

“The mission of the National Association of the Deaf is to preserve, protect and promote the civil, human and linguistic rights of all deaf Americans.”

Ziggy Says:
July 10th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
I am just sick of racism. I think it is just a lame excuse. I really don’t believe that racism exists.

Ziggy, some of us are people who have played by the rules, got the right education at Gallaudet and then some prestigious graduate school, we joined the right fraternity or sorority and hung out with mostly white friends in college and at work. We never confused our identities. We are black, or Hispanic, or Asian, or Native American or White and we are deaf or DEAF and some of us have CI etc. We use ASL or the ASL that we know how to use. Sorry if our cultural heritage is different because it is probably the reason our ASL might not meet yours or others standards but you know, just as there is Ebonics, there is a black way we use this beautiful visual language or signs. Yes, some of us have been lucky to get an education and laugh when even our white friends tease us about “not being like them” because we are “smart and act white”. Been there dear Ziggy and know what? Not many of us want to wait 70 plus years before we can get to where Dr. Davila is as you put it. Why should it take a person of color that long to be considered equal when we are born without any prejudice and born equal? Racism is taught, it is not something anybody is born with. Sexism is taught, homophobia is taught - in fact, all isms are taught - they are not natural phenomenon. Playing and following the rules didnt get many people of color anywhere. Some were unfortunate to be members of the wrong fraternity or sorority, others were “too black” or “too Asian” or “too Hispanic” and “not white enough”. Rules are not designed or enforced by us deaf people of color but we are expected to play by them. Look at CSD-F? They recently filled two important leadership positions right? Among the 4 candidates were two qualified people of color right? Did even ONE of them get it? NO - how come? Not good enough. Right. How do we know that? Well the rules say so. Whose rules? Hmmmmmm.

Racism doesnt exist? Wow! Wonder if you believe anti-semitism and homophobia do not exist too? I do believe you will not disagree with me when I say the Holocaust actually happened as did slavery and the systemmatic murder of First Nation people.

Now kindly look at the NAD Vision and Mission statements. Dont you think perhaps the NAD should change these and remove the culture and heritage line? Perhaps it can be more specific and let us know it is set up as a counterfoil for the oralist objectives of the AGB and therefore its objective is preservation of ASL? That perhaps would be less confusing dont you think?

]]> By: Ziggy http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2008/07/10/lack-of-diversity-in-nad-nad-responds/#comment-63028 Ziggy Sat, 12 Jul 2008 00:56:34 +0000 http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2008/07/10/lack-of-diversity-in-nad-nad-responds/#comment-63028 I am laughing so hard!!!! I could not believe that someone think I have so much anger in me!!!! I am laughing too hard!!!!!! Obviously that person does not know who I am. That person is clueless!!!!! I am not going to add more comments because I am not going to feed the fire with the fire. I am laughing so hard!!!! I could not believe that someone think I have so much anger in me!!!! I am laughing too hard!!!!!! Obviously that person does not know who I am. That person is clueless!!!!!

I am not going to add more comments because I am not going to feed the fire with the fire.

]]> By: Dan http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2008/07/10/lack-of-diversity-in-nad-nad-responds/#comment-62972 Dan Fri, 11 Jul 2008 17:15:45 +0000 http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2008/07/10/lack-of-diversity-in-nad-nad-responds/#comment-62972 E, Yes. I agreed with you. It's all about MONEY! Dan E,

Yes. I agreed with you. It’s all about MONEY!

Dan

]]> By: E http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2008/07/10/lack-of-diversity-in-nad-nad-responds/#comment-62960 E Fri, 11 Jul 2008 16:04:09 +0000 http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2008/07/10/lack-of-diversity-in-nad-nad-responds/#comment-62960 Just look at this website... they have 40 trainers? LOL I only see 3. http://www.deafhood.us/ Just look at this website…

they have 40 trainers? LOL I only see 3.

http://www.deafhood.us/

]]> By: E http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2008/07/10/lack-of-diversity-in-nad-nad-responds/#comment-62959 E Fri, 11 Jul 2008 16:02:01 +0000 http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2008/07/10/lack-of-diversity-in-nad-nad-responds/#comment-62959 This is all about money. They (Eberwein, Gertz, Lentz, et. al) get paid to do the presentations. I can assure you that the costs are not 'minimal.' NAD would have to pay their fees, hotel and airfare arrangements. Singleton and Reynolds are CAD members and it is imperative to follow the money trail. This is all about money. They (Eberwein, Gertz, Lentz, et. al) get paid to do the presentations.

I can assure you that the costs are not ‘minimal.’ NAD would have to pay their fees, hotel and airfare arrangements.

Singleton and Reynolds are CAD members and it is imperative to follow the money trail.

]]> By: Ben Vess http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2008/07/10/lack-of-diversity-in-nad-nad-responds/#comment-62957 Ben Vess Fri, 11 Jul 2008 15:57:01 +0000 http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2008/07/10/lack-of-diversity-in-nad-nad-responds/#comment-62957 Racism is wrong. :) Racism is wrong.

:)

]]> By: Who Can Speaks + Signs http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2008/07/10/lack-of-diversity-in-nad-nad-responds/#comment-62955 Who Can Speaks + Signs Fri, 11 Jul 2008 13:58:32 +0000 http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2008/07/10/lack-of-diversity-in-nad-nad-responds/#comment-62955 Mmm? I watched movies Lord of the Rings struggle between the FORCES of good and evil? novel by J.R.R. Tolkien likely this ones? my favor quote that lead ( “I will take the ring,” said Frodo, “though I do not know the way) see that happened today? Mmm? I watched movies Lord of the Rings struggle between the FORCES of good and evil? novel by J.R.R. Tolkien likely this ones? my favor quote that lead ( “I will take the ring,” said Frodo, “though I do not know the way) see that happened today?

]]> By: kitty http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2008/07/10/lack-of-diversity-in-nad-nad-responds/#comment-62953 kitty Fri, 11 Jul 2008 12:54:27 +0000 http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2008/07/10/lack-of-diversity-in-nad-nad-responds/#comment-62953 Sheri, I totally agree and remember the "new committee" or something two years ago right after the protest at Gally. I haven't seen anything done but two years ago was too late which NAD knew about all the issues way back in the 30s... Even within our own community. Ziggy sounds like a lot of angers coming out of you. I used to be that way until I went to China... Oppressions very real it is getting worst over there because of the olympic... no rights at all and millions of people are dying for their beliefs or supporting a cause. That was a wake up call for me. I am truly ashamed of our country because just recently today in the news Columbus Ohio in a very poor Af-Am were denied of water... they sued the city and won... 2008 not in the 30's so RACISM is alive and real just as audism and any ohter ISM. Ann M. had a point.. Deaf Studies can put in their class as a portion of study but it does not have to be crammed down to every Deaf and Hard of Hearing person throat. I don't want my daughters to be expose to just DEEAFHOOD... They are more just being Deaf... Sheri,

I totally agree and remember the “new committee” or something two years ago right after the protest at Gally. I haven’t seen anything done but two years ago was too late which NAD knew about all the issues way back in the 30s… Even within our own community.

Ziggy sounds like a lot of angers coming out of you. I used to be that way until I went to China… Oppressions very real it is getting worst over there because of the olympic… no rights at all and millions of people are dying for their beliefs or supporting a cause. That was a wake up call for me.

I am truly ashamed of our country because just recently today in the news Columbus Ohio in a very poor Af-Am were denied of water… they sued the city and won… 2008 not in the 30’s so RACISM is alive and real just as audism and any ohter ISM.

Ann M. had a point.. Deaf Studies can put in their class as a portion of study but it does not have to be crammed down to every Deaf and Hard of Hearing person throat. I don’t want my daughters to be expose to just DEEAFHOOD… They are more just being Deaf…

]]> By: Sheri A. Farinha http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2008/07/10/lack-of-diversity-in-nad-nad-responds/#comment-62949 Sheri A. Farinha Fri, 11 Jul 2008 06:50:35 +0000 http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2008/07/10/lack-of-diversity-in-nad-nad-responds/#comment-62949 Thanks for bringing awareness by posting this Mishka. Its unfortunate that the NAD didn't mention that there was a committee established two years ago, the Diversity Strategic Team, made up on individuals who are Deaf of color. This team worked hard to make recommendations to NAD which included that trainings were needed, and in order to recruit new members of color, the NAD needed to show they were serious abt wanting "all" to join. Many don't because racism exists in our community and evident at NAD conferences in the past. To show this, the Diversity Strategic Team recommended NAD adopt "zero tolerance" in the Diversity statement you posted. The NAD opted not to do this, no clear reasons were given, only that they want to keep it "positive". There is nothing positive abt racism. Any attempt to flower and make pretty a statement for the sake of "the people" did not fool the very people the NAD is trying to recruit. Racism is the core underlying current of all the problems we are seeing. And under the racism umbrella are all the other --isms we talk about. Bottom line, when people saw that the "zero tolerance" was not accepted, it set off another uproar. Unfortunately, the distrust remains. Many of us are members of the NAD in spirit for supporting this organizations purpose. But somehow its purpose becomes dilluted when simple actions based on recommendations from the pulse of the community was shoved down the drain. Someone needs to remind Bobbie Beth of her own quote in my article on Deafdc.com last year. Deaf leaders have zero tolerance for racism. In her own quote she stated, the NAD has zero tolerance for racsim. Why then was this pledge not evident in the NAD's own statement on Diversity? Thanks. Thanks for bringing awareness by posting this Mishka.
Its unfortunate that the NAD didn’t mention that there was a committee established two years ago, the Diversity Strategic Team, made up on individuals who are Deaf of color. This team worked hard to make recommendations to NAD which included that trainings were needed, and in order to recruit new members of color, the NAD needed to show they were serious abt wanting “all” to join. Many don’t because racism exists in our community and evident at NAD conferences in the past. To show this, the Diversity Strategic Team recommended NAD adopt “zero tolerance” in the Diversity statement you posted. The NAD opted not to do this, no clear reasons were given, only that they want to keep it “positive”. There is nothing positive abt racism. Any attempt to flower and make pretty a statement for the sake of “the people” did not fool the very people the NAD is trying to recruit. Racism is the core underlying current of all the problems we are seeing. And under the racism umbrella are all the other –isms we talk about. Bottom line, when people saw that the “zero tolerance” was not accepted, it set off another uproar. Unfortunately, the distrust remains. Many of us are members of the NAD in spirit for supporting this organizations purpose. But somehow its purpose becomes dilluted when simple actions based on recommendations from the pulse of the community was shoved down the drain.

Someone needs to remind Bobbie Beth of her own quote in my article on Deafdc.com last year. Deaf leaders have zero tolerance for racism. In her own quote she stated, the NAD has zero tolerance for racsim. Why then was this pledge not evident in the NAD’s own statement on Diversity?

Thanks.

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