This chapter attempted to compare the Deaf community to a ghetto, including a group of minorities that surrounds themselves with those of the same culture and background. In this sense, I agree that the community could be compared to a ghetto. The HPO authors state, "In one sense, the Deaf community is like a ghetto: it is hard for us to establish free, open, and comfortable communication with the hearing community" (pg 351). This makes perfect sense...everyone prefers to be around others that they can relate to, and in this situation, deaf people would prefer to be in an ASL-based setting where they can freely express themselves without having to worry about the possible judging and prejudice of the rest of the non-deaf world.
Before reading this chapter, I really had never even considered comparing the Deaf community to a "ghetto that is disintegrating". I thought it was interesting while reading to see how strong the authors' opinions were concerning the idea of Deaf culture 'disintegrating'. It seemed so defensive, and they honestly persuaded me to agree with their views. There will always be deaf people, and "Deaf people like to associate with each other, to be in situations where they can communicate freely" (pg 350). Therefore, this unique community will probably always come together, even if there are scientific solutions. But even if there are cures for diseases such as Usher's Syndrome, there will always be deaf children born to untested parents. As for the cochlear implant, HPO believes that it may just be a medical fad that will eventually fade away. I think this prediction is extremely interesting, and I'm curious to see what the outcome will be!
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Chapter 58
At the end of this chapter, I read "Is deafness a disability or is it a culture? Does it have to be one or the other? Can it be both? If you want to give the most accurate answer, taking into account the complexities of being medically deaf and culturally Deaf, you'll have to be annoyingly vague. You'll have to say, 'In some way, yes; in some ways, no'" (pg 345). After reading this chapter, I completely agree with this statement.
From a certain point of view, deafness can definitely be seen as a disability. Physically speaking, deafness is a "sensory impairment", lacking the auditory equipment needed in able to hear. Being deaf is part of the Americans with Disabilities Act, based on similar concerns that deaf people share with the rest of the disability community. Some include "access to public facilities, quality education, fair opportunities, good jobs, and stereotypical images and invisibility in the media" (pg 345). Even though most people in the Deaf community are able to function without the disabilities act, it has the ability to help the community with communication aspects of their lifestyle, including telecommunications access and captioning.
However, deafness can also be seen as a culture. Based on a unique language, some see Deaf culture like any other linguistic minority, where "just like those who rely on foreign languages need the services of interpreters, so do ASL-Deaf people" (pg 344). Like it was stated in previous chapters, Deaf culture includes its own language, literature, art, folklore, and social customs. Honestly, the only argument that I can see about whether or not Deaf culture is real is based on its lack of religion, cuisine, or costume. However, I do not think these factors determine the culture...especially for Deaf culture.
Like it was stated in the book, it is extremely hard to determine whether deafness is a disability or culture. I truly believe it depends on the specific person's point of view, and how much they know about the Deaf community.
From a certain point of view, deafness can definitely be seen as a disability. Physically speaking, deafness is a "sensory impairment", lacking the auditory equipment needed in able to hear. Being deaf is part of the Americans with Disabilities Act, based on similar concerns that deaf people share with the rest of the disability community. Some include "access to public facilities, quality education, fair opportunities, good jobs, and stereotypical images and invisibility in the media" (pg 345). Even though most people in the Deaf community are able to function without the disabilities act, it has the ability to help the community with communication aspects of their lifestyle, including telecommunications access and captioning.
However, deafness can also be seen as a culture. Based on a unique language, some see Deaf culture like any other linguistic minority, where "just like those who rely on foreign languages need the services of interpreters, so do ASL-Deaf people" (pg 344). Like it was stated in previous chapters, Deaf culture includes its own language, literature, art, folklore, and social customs. Honestly, the only argument that I can see about whether or not Deaf culture is real is based on its lack of religion, cuisine, or costume. However, I do not think these factors determine the culture...especially for Deaf culture.
Like it was stated in the book, it is extremely hard to determine whether deafness is a disability or culture. I truly believe it depends on the specific person's point of view, and how much they know about the Deaf community.
Chapter 57
After reading in the last chapter that Alexander Graham Bell "almost succeeded in wiping out Deaf culture" (pg 333), I was also wondering how he and other oralists managed to do this, and luckily, Chapter 57 had the answers.
After an incredible and short "Golden Age" for Deaf culture, the oralist movement began, attempting to remove sign language and Deaf culture from the world. While this movement was encouraged by many oralists, Alexander Graham Bell seemed to be the leader as he promoted the American Association to Promote the Teaching of Speech to the Deaf (the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf). When reading the name of Bell's organization, it seems to me that his only goal was to help Deaf people learn speech. Although I know and believe that this should only be an OPTION (not required) for Deaf people, this action of helping Deaf people learn how to speak still occurs today through the help of speech therapists. It made me wonder how this promotion could lead to the almost-disappearance of Deaf culture.
However, this movement was much more than just attempting to promote speech to the Deaf culture. Even though Bell "became a skillful signer and acknowledged the beauty of sign language, he believed that speech was of supreme importance and that deaf people should assimilate into hearing society" (pg 340). He believed that becoming deaf was a curse, and could only lead to a terrible life filled with negative effects, including genetic traits (which, presently, we know does not determine deafness). This view on deaf people led to Bell's attempt to actually STOP the growth of Deaf culture. As terrible as it is, Alexander Bell wanted to prevent deaf children from being born by "proposing legislation against 'the intermarriage of congenital deaf-mutes'" (pg 340). I think this was extremely uncalled for, and showed how these prejudices can truly affect the world. He came up with 3 "preventive measures", including "eliminating residential schools, forbidding the use of sign language in the education of deaf pupils, and prohibiting deaf adults from being teachers of deaf children" (pg 340) to make sure that these marriages and possible deaf children did not exist. These rules affected the lives of everyone in the Deaf community, through people losing jobs, their language, self-esteem, and even their friends as schools were removed. What is even crazier to me, is that it all almost succeeded! With politics, education, and finances, the oralists had an extreme advantage over the Deaf community.
I was so glad to learn that even after this terrible time where oralists put Deaf culture on hold, "we are beginning to emerge from the "Dark Age" of the past century-but slowly" (pg 341).
I was so glad to learn that even after this terrible time where oralists put Deaf culture on hold, "we are beginning to emerge from the "Dark Age" of the past century-but slowly" (pg 341).
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Chapter 56
"Should a hearing person write about Deaf Culture?"
When reading this question, I personally thought that a hearing person should have the ability to learn and write about Deaf Culture, because if Deaf Culture was only written by Deaf people, there would not always be clear facts based on the fact that they are viewing the culture from the inside. While reading this chapter, I was glad to learn that the authors of HPO had the same opinion. "If only insiders wrote about their own culture, the fields of sociology, anthropology, ethnology, and linguistics wouldn't exist...we want to balance the outsiders' view with what the insiders have to say" (pg 333). I think that this belief goes for any other culture.
It seems that overtime, the publishing on Deaf culture has evolved, beginning with a very negative view and has moved presently to a more open and positive view of the culture. In the past, there were many misconceptions made by hearing people of Deaf culture, mainly due to the negative opinions of oralists. The oralist view made sign language seem wrong and abnormal, therefore making deaf people seem like they were outliers in society. It is horrible to think that these hearing scholars had the ability to make ASL seem like such a negative thing. After learning about Myklebust's "Your Deaf Child: A Guide for Parents", I realized how anti-ASL these oralist/scholars were. In this book, there was absolutely NO mention about sign language. The prejudice against Deaf people, and the lack of acceptance by hearing scholars during this time is extremely sad, and it helps me understand why some Deaf people are still skeptical of hearing people observation and writing about their culture.
However, present hearing scholars have had a more beneficial influence on the Deaf community as they have "gained international respect for ASL and its culture" (pg 334). I love that attitudes of scholars studying Deaf culture have become so accepting and respectful. Currently, scholars pay more attention to the importance of sign language in the Deaf community and it is said that "those who don't know ASL do field work with an interpreter" (pg 334). Not only have the views/attitudes towards Deaf culture changed, but so have the scholars. "The field of Deaf Studies is no longer the exclusive preserve of hearing scholars. More and more Deaf people have been entering this field" (pg 334). I think this will be very helpful in further understanding Deaf culture, because the study is now open and people can look at both inside and outside observations, to see a better picture of how this culture works. Deaf scholars "have enhanced our understanding of how deaf people lived and communicated in earlier times and other cultures, and how people use and process language" (pg 335).
Chapter 55
The emphasis on what Deaf culture actually is was explained very well in Chapter 55. HPO defines Deaf culture as "a social, communal, and creative force of, by, and for Deaf people based on American Sign Language. It encompasses communication, social protocol, art, entertainment, recreation, and worship" (pg 325).
I love that "the U.S. arguably has the most sophisticated and creative-and public-Deaf culture of any" (pg 326). Deaf people tend to stick to each other, preferring to communicate comfortably with others like themselves.
In addition, Deaf culture is learned and expanded by attending schools for the deaf. At these schools, people "pick up ASL from each other and develop a distinctly "Deaf" attitude, encompassing such things as outlook; sharing information through gossip; teasing and joke-playing; visual humor; and a passion for sports" (pg 326). Deaf people use all of these activities as a way to express belonging within their group/culture...especially with sports, which I found interesting! While I have always seen sports as being a form of competition, Deaf people mainly see these activities as a social experience, where "everyone gets a chance to participate" (pg 326).
I was glad that HPO brought up the question concerning ethnicity. Whenever I think of culture, it is easy to correlate it to ethnicity....whether you are Jewish, Italian, Native American...each of these have a cultural background. However, for Deaf people, your culture does not necessarily come from your background. "Most Deaf people are born into hearing families" (pg 327), showing that Deaf culture is not something you have to be born into. However, "in families where deafness runs congenitally, there tends to be a much stronger identification with Deaf culture" (pg 327). This makes sense because like in another culture that you are born into, it is what you have known your whole life...not something you develop overtime. This chapter also brought up the exciting fact that "Deaf culture is by no means restricted to deaf 'members only'" (pg 329).
This culture is built upon, and distinguished by the means of communication people use, through ASL. As a result, Deaf culture's language brings new ideas into society, visually! Their involvement in visual arts and literature is "creatively ever-changing, ever-evolving" (pg 328). I think it is so interesting that this culture is based on a visual language, and has lead to ASL poetry, plays, storytelling, humor, folklore, songs, and sign mime. This "Deaf Renaissance" is so unique and is a great way to display Deaf culture!
I love that "the U.S. arguably has the most sophisticated and creative-and public-Deaf culture of any" (pg 326). Deaf people tend to stick to each other, preferring to communicate comfortably with others like themselves.
In addition, Deaf culture is learned and expanded by attending schools for the deaf. At these schools, people "pick up ASL from each other and develop a distinctly "Deaf" attitude, encompassing such things as outlook; sharing information through gossip; teasing and joke-playing; visual humor; and a passion for sports" (pg 326). Deaf people use all of these activities as a way to express belonging within their group/culture...especially with sports, which I found interesting! While I have always seen sports as being a form of competition, Deaf people mainly see these activities as a social experience, where "everyone gets a chance to participate" (pg 326).
I was glad that HPO brought up the question concerning ethnicity. Whenever I think of culture, it is easy to correlate it to ethnicity....whether you are Jewish, Italian, Native American...each of these have a cultural background. However, for Deaf people, your culture does not necessarily come from your background. "Most Deaf people are born into hearing families" (pg 327), showing that Deaf culture is not something you have to be born into. However, "in families where deafness runs congenitally, there tends to be a much stronger identification with Deaf culture" (pg 327). This makes sense because like in another culture that you are born into, it is what you have known your whole life...not something you develop overtime. This chapter also brought up the exciting fact that "Deaf culture is by no means restricted to deaf 'members only'" (pg 329).
This culture is built upon, and distinguished by the means of communication people use, through ASL. As a result, Deaf culture's language brings new ideas into society, visually! Their involvement in visual arts and literature is "creatively ever-changing, ever-evolving" (pg 328). I think it is so interesting that this culture is based on a visual language, and has lead to ASL poetry, plays, storytelling, humor, folklore, songs, and sign mime. This "Deaf Renaissance" is so unique and is a great way to display Deaf culture!
Chapter 54
I can not imagine how difficult it would be to become late-deafened, going from an everyday life filled with talking and hearing, to a new life filled with a language and a new life of communicating with others. To be late-deafened is "defined as someone who became deaf-whether progressively, suddenly, or even genetically-after age 18" (pg 321). I learned that those who become deaf as a teenager have an easier time adjusting compared to adults. This makes a lot of sense, because as a teenager, people are still growing and learning about who they are, and becoming deaf would be part of that development. However, for adults who have already settled and established their lives either through careers, marriages, or families, becoming deaf would be even more difficult.
I thought it was very sad to hear of all the tragic side affects of becoming late-deafened. It was crushing to learn that "a number of "rock-solid" marriages have fallen apart when one partner becomes deaf" (pg 322) and that "isolation, depression, and suicidal impulses are the most dangerous result of the process" (pg 322). Accepting this new lifestyle must be extremely hard, and it seems that it is very likely that people accept deafness with nothing but negativity towards it. Also, it can't help that there is not much acceptance from the Deaf community towards late-deafened people. I think it is terrible that they are "accorded the coldest imaginable welcome, which is no welcome at all" (pg 323). The Deaf community can often come across rejection from those in the hearing world, and I think it is crazy that they are willing to give this same rejection to those who are willing to accept and become part of the community.
Luckily, there is a group, the Association of Late-Deafened Adults (ALDA), to help out those in this situation. This association is extremely beneficial to many late-deafened, as they find support from others in the same situation. I would hope that being part of ALDA would help diminish some of the negative, social, side affects that come with being late-deafened.
I thought it was very sad to hear of all the tragic side affects of becoming late-deafened. It was crushing to learn that "a number of "rock-solid" marriages have fallen apart when one partner becomes deaf" (pg 322) and that "isolation, depression, and suicidal impulses are the most dangerous result of the process" (pg 322). Accepting this new lifestyle must be extremely hard, and it seems that it is very likely that people accept deafness with nothing but negativity towards it. Also, it can't help that there is not much acceptance from the Deaf community towards late-deafened people. I think it is terrible that they are "accorded the coldest imaginable welcome, which is no welcome at all" (pg 323). The Deaf community can often come across rejection from those in the hearing world, and I think it is crazy that they are willing to give this same rejection to those who are willing to accept and become part of the community.
Luckily, there is a group, the Association of Late-Deafened Adults (ALDA), to help out those in this situation. This association is extremely beneficial to many late-deafened, as they find support from others in the same situation. I would hope that being part of ALDA would help diminish some of the negative, social, side affects that come with being late-deafened.
Chapter 53
I was surprised to learn in this chapter how there is a consistent questioning of whether or not people who are hard-of-hearing are part of the Deaf community. After reading previously in HPO, it had seemed to me that the Deaf community makes up a large variety of people, include both deaf and hearing. Even though some people are still unsure if hard-of-hearing people should be part of the community, I was glad to read that the authors have the same opinion as me, believing that they should be included in the Deaf community. However, HPO made a good point, stating that hard-of-hearing people should be included "if the HOH people want to be included" (pg 318). It truly depends on the individual, and this chapter definitely helped me to understand that!
In some aspects, this chapter makes it seem like the label 'hard-of-hearing' is a collect-all for many people. It can describe people who don't want to have any identification with ASL-Deaf, those who want to be associated with ASL-Deaf, and they can be part of both the Hearing and Deaf community. "They have more choice, and more leeway, than do audiologically deaf people" (pg 318). However, as the authors wrote about in the last chapter, there is more difficulty for those who are hard-of-hearing because they have the struggle of distinguishing their cultural identity. One of the factors of cultural identity includes ASL, and the different opinions concerning sign language show some of the differences between HOH and Deaf. It is really easy for some to stereotype people who are hard-of-hearing as bad signers or those who don't sign. And although this is true for some, it does not define everyone in this situation.
"The hard-of-hearing population is determinedly diverse and stubbornly individual" (pg 317). This better shows how difficult it is to decide whether or not those who are hard-of-hearing should be part of the Deaf community. It is crazy to think about the prejudices that take place between ASL-Deaf people and HOH people. There is obviously prejudice in any community whether it is race, religion, or in this case, auditory status. There is 'snobbery' between both groups, as ASL-Deaf 'snub' HOH for there differences in cultural identity and HOH 'snub' ASL-Deaf by believing that "hearing" correlates with social status and therefore seeing themselves as being 'better' than deaf people because HOH people's hearing is better. But the differences between some HOH and Deaf people make the question "Does the Deaf community want HOH people?" (pg 317) a little bit more understandable. It must be difficult to feel like you are 'in-between' two different communities, as I'm sure some hard-of-hearing people feel.
In addition, this chapter introduced me to the "Self Help for Hard of Hearing People, Inc." Founded by Howard E. "Rocky" Stone, this group works specifically with hard-of-hearing people and helping them "get social support and technological assistance" (pg 319). I thought it was extremely interesting to learn that those who are hard-of-hearing have a foundation specifically for them, and I'm sure this is very beneficial for many who are willing to become part of it.
In some aspects, this chapter makes it seem like the label 'hard-of-hearing' is a collect-all for many people. It can describe people who don't want to have any identification with ASL-Deaf, those who want to be associated with ASL-Deaf, and they can be part of both the Hearing and Deaf community. "They have more choice, and more leeway, than do audiologically deaf people" (pg 318). However, as the authors wrote about in the last chapter, there is more difficulty for those who are hard-of-hearing because they have the struggle of distinguishing their cultural identity. One of the factors of cultural identity includes ASL, and the different opinions concerning sign language show some of the differences between HOH and Deaf. It is really easy for some to stereotype people who are hard-of-hearing as bad signers or those who don't sign. And although this is true for some, it does not define everyone in this situation.
"The hard-of-hearing population is determinedly diverse and stubbornly individual" (pg 317). This better shows how difficult it is to decide whether or not those who are hard-of-hearing should be part of the Deaf community. It is crazy to think about the prejudices that take place between ASL-Deaf people and HOH people. There is obviously prejudice in any community whether it is race, religion, or in this case, auditory status. There is 'snobbery' between both groups, as ASL-Deaf 'snub' HOH for there differences in cultural identity and HOH 'snub' ASL-Deaf by believing that "hearing" correlates with social status and therefore seeing themselves as being 'better' than deaf people because HOH people's hearing is better. But the differences between some HOH and Deaf people make the question "Does the Deaf community want HOH people?" (pg 317) a little bit more understandable. It must be difficult to feel like you are 'in-between' two different communities, as I'm sure some hard-of-hearing people feel.
In addition, this chapter introduced me to the "Self Help for Hard of Hearing People, Inc." Founded by Howard E. "Rocky" Stone, this group works specifically with hard-of-hearing people and helping them "get social support and technological assistance" (pg 319). I thought it was extremely interesting to learn that those who are hard-of-hearing have a foundation specifically for them, and I'm sure this is very beneficial for many who are willing to become part of it.
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