More Thoughts on the Deaf Blogosphere
In my last post on the Deaf Blogosphere, all of my commenters were optimistic about the future of our online community. But if you look at DeafRead lately, there seems to be a different tone. While some people are indeed touting the message that we can work together towards common goals, others are wondering about a split in the community, and speculating on how deep the divide is. There’s also critical self-examination and navel-gazing going on too; the latest is Carl Schroeder’s post on Deaf community archetypes; his exposition focuses on why we “betray” each other.
Despite the drama and introspection, I think the reality encompasses both, and is slightly more complex than the black-and-white segmentation some people see. One one hand, yes, there are divisions, there are differences; to ignore that is to be unrealistic. But do we need to obsess about these differences constantly? Mishka Zena recently wrote a succinct post stating that she felt this was not necessary, and I agree.
Naturally, there will always be certain areas, topics, and issues that are controversial. Deaf education, obviously, is the Big Enchilada. It’s sort of comparable to abortion– everyone has an opinion, and very few are willing to find a middle ground. That debate is never going to be completely resolved, and the more time we go around and around on it is time taken away from other areas of concern that could be tackled.
This isn’t to say that discussion about Deaf education or reform isn’t needed, or worthwhile. While I have no problem with blog posts, vlog clips, or online forum discussions of ASL, oralism, Cued Speech, bi-bi, and other educational methods, systems, and linguistic uses in the classroom, I see tons of other areas that are sort of shuffled to the side. My concern is there is so much more we could be accomplishing, and we’re not– or if we are, we’re only making incremental steps towards concrete goals.
I celebrated the Deaf Blogosphere the other day. I agree with Deaf Pundit’s assessment of the State of the Blogosphere, January 2008: “People are… gaining awareness and knowledge through that … People will be starting to use their awareness and knowledge to use.”
This is the promise of our corner of cyberspace: the ability to exchange information over long distances, even across continents, and the use of such information to develop awareness and a broader sense of our world that can then be applied in a more practical form off-line. This doesn’t mean we stop acting locally; there never is a substitute in our world for an old-fashioned get-together, where we sit around chatting, brainstorming, and gathering the energy within that group discussion and fashioning it into action. But now we have the potential to act on a larger scale without time constraints. We had a taste of that during the Tent City protests in 2006 at Gallaudet, but imagine if an individual or group harnessed that energy and used it to enact change?
“Sure, that’s already happening,” some of you might say. You’ll point to groups like the Deaf Bilingual Coalition. Ok, that’s great, but again, without getting back into the storm of controversy about the DBC, it’s focusing on that perennial issue, education.
What happened during the recent protest was that our community revisited a lot of issues– there were divisions that appeared, that had been lying underneath the surface, and people picked the scabs off and exposed the angry wounds. While there was a lot of rancor, there was also a chance to start to really examine some of the damage on both sides, and the open aspect of the blogosphere brought in various points-of-view (which continues to be the case). I thought this was necessary, but I also saw the risk in doing so. The danger was that we ended up rehashing a lot of the same arguments again and again, without truly breaking out and tackling the problems and issues we face from a different angle.
Education is an extremely important issue, yes. But what about under- and un-employment? What about communications and captioning issues? What about equal access outside the cocoon of residential schools and programs geared for the Deaf/deaf communities? These are areas and issues where we can definitely find common ground, regardless of which communication method or language we use. These are problems we can find allies within and outside all of our communities. All of us, whether we are late-deafened, prelingually deaf, ASL users, oralists, cued speech users, cochlear implantees, or any combination thereof, face discrimination and frustrations at hiring time and once on the job. Why can’t we discuss these problems and work together to find solutions? The more we do so, the more we can find the commonalities we all have, and reduce the overall number of issues. By doing so, we can perhaps begin to understand each other better and see how each of us adapts in terms of communication. That in turn could foster some possible compromises in deaf education, new avenues in education, or at the very least, tolerance on all sides for opposing viewpoints.
One example of a blogger who’s doing something in this vein is Andrea Shettle, over at Reunify Gally. Although her latest post is on captioning, she’s been writing a lot about the ADA Restoration Act of 2007, a piece of legislation that *all* of us should be concerned with, no matter our childhood background or present-day standing within the community. This is the kind of issue that can unite, rather than divide.
So what do I see for the Deaf Blogosphere? I see continued expansion and contraction of blogs and vlogs, with those that have staying power bringing their perspectives to the table. We can continue our discussions, and I look forward to them. But what I see as the next needed step is to distill the issues we have, deconstruct them, and then concentrate our efforts on each element of each particular topic. From there, we can start to formulate solutions and compromises.
There’s only so many times we can go around and around on the merry-go-round, so many times we can ride the roller coaster. We can all write and read another hundred blog posts and entries on the same old issues. Instead, let’s get off and start using the potential and promise of the blogosphere and scale even greater heights.
Addendum: I forgot to include this when I originally wrote this, but one good example of proactive thinking is this excellent post by LaRonda over at The Ear of My Heart. Do check it out.
wow, it’s really a nice thought! It gives me a lot of things to think about.
Bravo! Well written and eye-opening. Thank you. Thank you.
~ LaRonda
Enjoyed this post! I hope that the majority of the Deaf from across the entire communication spectrum will be able to come together and push toward common goals. Time will tell if we are able to do make the shift.
You are right.
I enjoyed your thoughtful post and I agree that we must move forward together in order to achieve a real sense of community.
While our common denominators make it easier for everyone to be on the same plane, I do think it is necessary to express our differences through various artistic works. This can be done in a positive way that allows very little room for controversy and promotes the idea of diversity.
If not for our tolerance of expressions and differences, how then, may we come together as individuals each being pixels that complete the Big Picture?
I liked what you said.
Right On!
I think recognising our ‘differences’ is the most we can expect for some time to come. Unity was discussed quite well, by Mishka on her blog, but the bottom line was still divisions. Carl I think is on Planet Carl ! I groan at some of the stuff he turns out, and marvel at the rest…. If there is a grand prize for putting your foot in your own mouth, he’d win it every time.
I find his ramblings tend to over-emphasise the cultural deaf influence on the rest of of the deaf population, his last blog (Which he still refuses to allow real comment to !), was the poorest attempt at patronisation I think I’ve ever read anywhere, a very ‘elitist’ attidue and condescending to everything except how he views the deaf.
The only sector he didn’t patronise was his own “The ASL elitist” The deaf world/s have a number of these people who can see no further, or want to, than where they are and want to be, and suggest we are all lacking if we don’t see it the same way. I fear while that attitude prevails, it’s still gonna be hard going.
Yes we are finding out who the ’stayers’ are, but are they representative ?
I agree with you, Mr. Sandman. We need to broaden our horizons to find more common ground and break some new ground on those things. You never know… when we’re working together on those OTHER issues, we just might be able to put aside our anger and hurt and reach a middle ground when it comes to education.
Can’t hurt to dream…
Excellent post. I felt it is in the right direction to be able to diverse our issues together at one direction. Great job.
I’ve been thinking about this post all day, because it touches upon an issue that I, and some others, have been discussing in the real world offline for months now.
DeafBlogLand is definitely a wonderful, wonderful vehicle for our community to explore and analyze our issues, and as you’ve said, it has yet to realize its full potential. So true! However, it is *not* reflective of the community. We need to be VERY careful not to let DeafBlogLand shape our reality and our perspectives. I don’t wish to provide examples, because that’d detract from the point I’m trying to make here.
The Deaf community is a collective one that values face-to-face interaction above all. Discussions are best done in person or via videophone, according to community values. Blogs/vlogs have proven that they have a role in our interactions, but a very small percentage of community members participate in this type of forum. That’s only one reason that this forum doesn’t accurately represent the true pulse of the community. That’s something that we all, myself included, need to be careful to keep in mind.
Also, I’m not sure enough people are asking hard questions and examining statements made online. For example, is DBC really *that* controversial? When I talk with people in the real world, it really isn’t. A friend I talked with today who travels the nation says he has seen so many positive comments about DBC. When I examine who says what online, the negative comments come from only a small segment of the DeafBlogLand population. They are extremely vocal, yes, but they are small in number. Another example is when we quote numbers instead of taking a deeper look. Someone tried to tell me that one blog that attracted a lot of negative comments needed to be given equal weight with one that attracted a lot of positive numbers. Last I looked, they were at roughly the same number of comments (over 100). If one looks at who commented in each, it became clear that the negative one really had the same 5 people making at least 70% of the comments, while the other one had more than 85% unique commenters. Which should be given more credence? Clearly the one that attracted more *individual* comments, regardless of the viewpoint. We need to be examining situations more carefully and avoiding repeating what we see/read in DeafBlogLand and perpetuating mythlike information.
I absolutely agree with you that things are, frequently, shaded with gray and not as black-and-white as some would like… which is why we need to be careful about what we read here and not to allow it to shape our reality/worldview.
excellent points, jenny!
brenster-
Jenny,
You are so right about “how 10 % can make 90% of the noise”. There are many, many people that frowned on these small group. But many prefer to say nothing because of fear of being harassment of some sort.
Great post, Mr. Sandman! The way you described is what I am feeling about going in circles. It is challenging to turn this around to make it a compromise where we all are able to work together. But the question is..Is it realistic? It all depends on the climate of the v/blogosphere.
While we all have our own goals and agendas, it is up to them if they want to join the cause. We can bring the horse to the water but we can’t force her to drink it. Yet, I have seen wonderful v/blogs that are eyeopeners and productive that led to outcomes. I have experienced it as well and that is what kept me going where it may make a difference. Despite of the quabbles, I am not going to allow this to be a distraction.
Jenny, you have hit right on the nail. It is a fact (according to one of the DR human editors) that we only make up of 5% of the Deaf community in America who do b/vlogs and comments but I wonder how many percent are just the viewers? If you look at Youtube, there are some video clips having as high as 20,000 hits. Also don’t forget about deafnewspaper.com and deafnation.com who allow video clips to be uploaded on their websites.
In a way, video clips have more impact than blog posts especially in the Deaf community not to mention how the language is more accessible for them. But on the other side, blog posts are more accessible for non-signers and may have more impact on these types of readers. This is why I try my best in posting a video clip along with a blog post so that the message can be perceived by most.
All I wanted out of this is for us to gain a common ground where we are able to safely share constructive feedback, ideas, and create proactive actions.
Thanks, Mr. Sandman, and can you bring me a dream?
A very observant article, Mr. Sandman!
The deaf blogosphere is still very new to many of us d/Deaf. It’s as if we are suddenly finding our “voices” via blogging and vlogging what concerns and interests us.
We are so flung apart as never before, many move to locations where their deaf children will attain good educations and where they know they can get decent jobs. Therefore, the deaf community may very well take on a new definition or role, probably thru the internet where the d/Deaf can express themselves. I agree that the internet doesn’t match face-to-face or VP for intimate and personal interaction, but such meetings are getting harder and harder to come by unfortunately.
Like you said, there is so much potential and promise in the blogosphere, as one can reach a larger audience. There are more more readers who “lurk” on the deaf blogosphere than comment or blog, but they are out there and they “tune in” from time to time nevertheless.
As for the blogosphere not reflecting the true interests of the deaf community, that may change over time. Technology has changed the way a lot of people do things now. Jenny refers to some negative bloggers or commenters who are a small number. Actually I’m not sure what she means by “negative”– someone with a differing view from that of Deaf culture? DR just recently allowed some CI and oral deaf views on board, and these bloggers/commenters are just starting to catch up.
I hope readers will keep in mind DR is not just for one element of the deaf community, but for all deaf from the culturally Deaf to the oral deaf, the late-deafened, the CI implantees, the deaf-blind, and so on. To leave out one element of the deaf community is to leave out your brothers/sisters who experience deafness in other ways but who share the challenges of existing in the hearing world just the same.
Diversity may make things more complex and challenging, but it creates open-mindedness in realizing that what works for one deaf person may not work for another deaf person. I agree deaf education is a primary goal– how do we get all deaf children at an educational level on par with their hearing peers?
If we keep focusing on the little d or the capitalized D, the deaf education issue is still gonna just sit there and nothing will happen. The beginning of a deaf child’s education begins very early, as it is for a hearing child, at least it should begin early with sign language so that the deaf child will develop the same linguistic advantage as the hearing child, regardless of whatever communication mode that will be taught to him before he/she starts school.
Many in the Deaf culture misconstrue that ASL will not be included in the package of communication modes for the young deaf child. Many (in the d as in little d) deaf camp have been trying to say “not so”, until they’re blue in the face. The Deaf culture proponents are fearful that ASL will not be included in the communication package, other ASL proponents say ONLY ASL and nothing else. Then we’re back to square one, folks. DBC needs to reflect in their mission statement this diversity of communication modes, of WHATEVER WORKS, to give the deaf child an equal edge in education as his hearing peers.
Me, I wanna get off that merry-go-round and be able to say I did my part to aid the success of a deaf Martin Luther King, or a deaf Einstein, or a deaf Picasso, a deaf John Glenn, etc.
I apologize for the long post.
Ann_C,
Thank you for pointing out that “negative” might not be clear. I was not referring to something that I don’t agree with; rather, I was referring to comments that actively tear others down, blame groups/individuals for problems in our community, and so forth. I don’t have an issue with perspectives that differ from mine, and I welcome them, as long as the people presenting them can engage in an open, respectful discussion. Hope that clarifies things.
Thanks, brenster, John, and Barb.
I agree with Barb and Ann_C in that I just want the best for every member of the community, both present and future, and I want positive, productive dialogue and action.
Ann C.
in your comment,
“other ASL proponents say ONLY ASL and nothing else”
That is not true, I don’t think anyone have ever said that.
If so, please find that link for us to see.
John,
I know that you have called a certain blogger some really terrible names, one you have considered “negative”, and I could provide some “proofs” of that. However…
I have read DR long enough to know that there are Deaf culture proponents who have derailed this education issue with their very one-sided P.O.V. on the internet for some time. I’m not one who wants to name names, and I’d rather stay out out of that.
I did say that you’re a man of good intentions, are you going to live up to that?
Ann C said: “DBC needs to reflect in their mission statement this diversity of communication modes, of WHATEVER WORKS, to give the deaf child an equal edge in education as his hearing peers.”
There are several existing organizations (ASDC, Hands and Voices) advocating for this approach but historically, ASL has not been strongly emphasized as compared to Total Communication. This is why DBC is founded which is the only organization that emphasizes more on ASL than “other communication modes” since it stands out as a true language. The DBC wanted to “promote the basic human right of all Deaf infants and young children to have access to language and cognitive development through American Sign Language.” There are research showing that signs used with babies showing more positive outcomes. Just like the same reasons that baby signs are used with hearing babies.
As they grow up, they will continue to be exposed to ASL as well as code-switching to other communication modes including speech when appropriate. DBC believes that ASL is the starting point for Deaf babies where a strong, accessible, guarantee language foundation is made possible. Hope that will help you clarify the intentions of DBC.
edit button here..
…accessible, guaranteed language foundation is made possible.
Thank you for adding my post to your addendum. My heart is full.
~ LaRonda
Wow– I post, I go off to take care of stuff, and wham– nearly twenty comments! I can’t stay long right now, so I’ll return with some thoughts and responses.
But for now, I’m rather bemused. You guys have kind of proved my point. At the beginning of the comments, we started with accolades. At the end, we’re right back to discussing that perennial topic, education. In other words, we’re going back to a debate that probably can’t be won, at least not in the short-term.
More on this later…
Pardon the late post. I agree with Jenny. Yup, there are pessimists and there are optimists. The latter accomplish things far more. Thanks.
Mr. Sandman- yes, you’re correct that many topics tend to go off track in the comment section, debating on things, like you said education, etc. I notice that it has become a typical pattern that those “off-tracked” topics which turned into never-ending debates, like deaf ed, D/d, rejecting/excluding, ASL’s and Deaf culture’s fault, etc tend to start by the same people. hmm, something to think about.
yes, agree with drmzz that optimists tend to “accomplish things far more.” that’s why i said recently that i’ll just move forward with those group that takes actions to make things happen.
once again, i can apply this situation and many other situations to Jon’s excellent story!
The reason why education is a perennial issue– education sets in place for what happens afterwards in a deaf person’s adult life, the communication access, the social life, employment and career, and how he deals with the hearing world. It’s the underpinnings for everything else and is key to a deaf person’s development as an adult.
There is much diversity of deaf education and communication mode choices, which is what complicates the schooling issue.
[...] Deaf Gays And LesbiansTales Of The Deafhood - The EpiphanyTales Of The Deafhood - An IntroductionMore Thoughts on the Deaf BlogosphereWhat is Deafhood?Deafhood: A Process Of Self RepressionMany TribesIn One’s Own Image: Ethics [...]
Hi all– I know I left this hanging, but for good reasons. Still thinking about this post and reactions from you all.
A quick response to Ann_C: yes, I agree that education is an underlying concern and is the root cause/solution for so many other issues. But in the deaf community, there has been more or less a standoff that has lasted decades– “converts” have been made, and people move back and forth occasionally, but no one seems to want to give ground. A lot of the compromises on this issue were made during the 1960’s (at Gallaudet or by Gallaudet-affiliated people, no less), and the linguistic tinkering yielded Orin Cornett’s work on Cued Speech, the development of Signed Exact English, etc. These systems were intended to address the desires of both sides, and generally didn’t please anyone (although cued speech, I think, is undergoing re-examination by the community at large).
My concern is we’re focusing so much on education to the detriment of other areas where compromise *IS* possible.
[...] Deaf Gays And LesbiansTales Of The Deafhood - The EpiphanyTales Of The Deafhood - An IntroductionMore Thoughts on the Deaf BlogosphereWhat is Deafhood?Deafhood: A Process Of Self RepressionMany TribesIn One’s Own Image: Ethics [...]
[...] Deaf Gays And LesbiansTales Of The Deafhood - The EpiphanyTales Of The Deafhood - An IntroductionMore Thoughts on the Deaf BlogosphereWhat is Deafhood?Deafhood: A Process Of Self RepressionMany TribesIn One’s Own Image: Ethics [...]