Chapter 63

        It was great to learn about how movies affect deaf people.  I had never thought about how great silent movies would have been for deaf people but after reading this chapter, "moviegoers enjoyed quality...and when it came to following the plot and dialogue, deaf people were at no disadvantage" (pg 371).  Also, I did not realize that Deaf people worked with the silent movies, working as the technical crew and as performers.  When silent movies were replaced by the "talkies", Deaf people had to look for alternatives in order to keep up with the mainstream films.

        One way for films to be accessible for deaf audiences was through subtitles and captions.  Before reading this chapter, I had used these terms interchangeably, not really understanding the differences between them.  However, I now understand that subtitles are used to translate dialogue into different languages, while captions are used to explain sound effects and who is talking.  

        In addition, the six alternatives for watching mainstream movies were very interesting.  They included action movies, read the book first, subtitled foreign films, wait until the captioned DVD is released, TRIPOD, and silent films.  These all show that there are many great ways for deaf people to be included in the film world.  However, I think it is a little disappointing that in most scenarios, deaf people have to use alternatives to watch the movie instead of being able to just go see a mainstream movie without any issues.

Chapter 62

        Before reading this chapter, I knew that there was such a thing as Deaf literature, but I did not know exactly what was incorporated in it.  The chapter states that "by literature, we mean fiction, nonfiction, essays, journalism, memoirs, stories, poetry, plays, and all manner of hybrids, with the emphasis on creativity" (pg 365).  However, for Deaf literature, there are two different ways to look at it: (1) "Literature created by people who happen to be deaf" and (2) "Literature expressing a Deaf viewpoint."  Personally, I see the latter when I think of Deaf literature.  Just because a person is deaf does not mean that there only topic of discussion is deaf themes.  Many Deaf people have participated in all types of genres offered in literature.  This first author to write a prose book called "Observations of a Deaf-Mute on an Elementary Course of Education for Deaf-Mutes".  This book contained much information concerning sign language and the existence of a Deaf community in Paris.  Following in his footsteps, other Deaf authors began "breaking into new genres" (pg 366).
        In addition to the written literature, Deaf literature includes another spectrum based on sign language.  I think it is so interesting to see ASL literature and to see how it is considered a new and original genre!  It is shown through ASL performances, including stories, poems, song, and plays.  ASL literature "uses visual kinetic instead of written and spoken language, reflects Deaf perceptions, and represents a fresh cultural" (pg 367).  I would love to experience more ASL literature and see how this new genre expresses stories, poems, songs, and plays.

Chapter 61

        Like any other culture or type of people, deaf people have labels written on them, stereotyping them, usually reflecting preconceptions.  After reading this chapter, it was extremely disappointing to see all the uneducated and negative stereotypes that are meant to define deaf people and the Deaf culture.
        One of the stereotypes described is called 'The Silent Sufferer'...recognized by the novel, "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter".  Some people believe that based on deaf people's inability to hear, they are lonely and outcasts.  I personally think this stereotype is extremely irrational and according to HPO, "ASL-Deaf people are social creatures" (pg 359).  Knowing about Deaf culture and how socially active deaf people are, I do not understand this stereotype.
        Another stereotype listed is 'The Incompetent Dum-Dum'.  This stereotype basically defines deaf people as stupid and unintelligent, believing that they can not think for themselves.  I think this assumption goes back to the history of Deaf culture, and how in the past, this was the original view.  People use to assume that deaf people were 'deaf and dumb' or 'deaf-mute', and as a result, some people still hold this ridiculous belief.
        The stereotype, 'Exotic Alien', is another that surprises me.  The fact that people see deaf people as "exotic, weird, strange, and alien' just because they are deaf and use sign language seems to be very judgmental and slightly unreasonable.
        In addition, 'Life's Loser' is another stereotype that I have unfortunately heard of.  For deaf people who choose to only use ASL as their way of communication, they are looked at negatively because apparently, you are "nothing if you can't speak" (pg 362) in Hearing culture.  This belief that those who do not voice are 'losers' or insignificant is an idea that is used by hearing people with oralist beliefs.
       Another two, 'Evil Deafie' and 'God's Victim', seem very similar.  Both show deaf people as being cursed by God.  In the stereotype, 'Evil Deafie', this idea that deaf people are cursed gives an extremely negative view towards them, making them seem like they are dangerous.  In 'God's Victim', deaf people are seen as "touched by God" or "special to God" (pg 363).  It is so frustrating to see how far some people will go just to justify the differences that deaf people have compared to themselves.
        One stereotype that is often seen throughout media is the 'Tabloid Tragedies'.  This stereotype labels being deaf as extremely negative and sees being deaf as a tragedy...often leading to low self-esteem.  The authors had a statement referring to this stereotype that I found very powerful: "In our struggle to gain rights, empowerment, and better education for all deaf people, the last thing we need is to be branded as walking tragedies!" (pg 363).
        In addition to the stereotypes described above, HPO also discusses 'The Pathetic Waif/Emotional Basket Case', 'Super-Sleuth Who Can Read Lips Through Walls', 'Super-Deafie with Novelty Value', and 'Sleazy Card Peddlers'.  I find many of these over-exaggerated and according to HPO, many are based on single situations or even based on media such as television shows, movies, or novels.

Chapter 60

        When reading this chapter, I learned more on how influential the Internet can be.  I had never truly thought about how it could affect Deaf Culture, until I was introduce to many different aspects of Deaf Culture I did not originally know about.  

        For example, before reading the chapter, I did not really know about Deaf clubs, a place where "Deaf people congregated at the club, watched a captioned or subtitled movie, socialized, discussed politics, swapped information, chatted, gossiped, and networked" (pg 353).  I think this idea of a club specially formed for their culture is a very cool concept, and it was disappointing to learn how the Internet and other mass media has led to the extinction of them.  With all the information, entertainment, and socializing that the Internet provides, it seems like it was inevitable that these clubs would eventually die out, just like other organizations throughout other cultures have.

        In addition, the chapter talks about how some Deaf people try to avoid Internet, believing that is is "an intrusion, a distraction, a waste of time" (pg 354).  However, I disagree with this belief.  The Internet has become integrated into daily life, and the majority of people have had to adjust to this new aspect of life in order to stay up to date, whether it is work, home, or school related.  Although the Internet did affect Deaf clubs, there are many positive aspects of it, and I agree when the authors state that "there is something to be said for becoming computer-literate, just as there is for learning to use a TTY and fax-modem" (pg 354).  One of these positive aspects of the Internet include Deaf chatrooms, DeafChat, that I did not know existed until reading in HPO!  These "Deaf cyber clubs" allow people to become educated in Deaf Culture and to assist parents of deaf children.  Also, it includes "discussing their schooling, jobs, lives, families, issues, controversies, frustrations, and dreams" (pg 355).  I think this a great way for Deaf people to stay connected to their culture.   In addition, the Internet allows for an immediate spread of information, allowing more ASL resources to become available throughout the world.  

        It is interesting and really exciting to read that in the authors' perspective, "the Internet has the potential to bring down barriers between Deaf and non-Deaf, to provide a truly democratic and fully accessible meeting-place, to promote global understanding" (pg 356).  With this last statement, I find it hard to believe that the Internet is going to destroy Deaf Culture.  

Chapter 59

       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!
     

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.

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).