August 29, 2009
· Filed under Audism, Inside the Deaf Community
Some people seem to think Deaf activism comes from Deaf people from Hearing families who have experienced frustration in their lives with Hearing people. They think Deaf people from Deaf families do not experience these frustrations, so do not become activists. However, this theory does not explain people like Ella Mae Lentz and MJ Bienvenu, who are Deaf of Deaf, and strong activists for ASL and Deaf culture (and outspoken against audism). It seems that there must be some common factor that explains why some of us understand and believe in the concept of audism, while others deny its existence. In the vlog, I tell of my first awareness of audism, and ask you all to share when you first came to be aware of audism.
For YouTube version, click here
August 25, 2009
· Filed under Inside the Deaf Community
One of the teachers at the school taught his students about Keith Haring’s art and had them create art from a Deaf perspective with Haring’s style. He then compiled the drawings into a mural format and painted one of the school buildings. Here is the final version. View vlog for a close-up of some of the mural.
For YouTube version, click here
August 23, 2009
· Filed under Politics and Advocacy
Growing up, I wore hearing aids all the time, and would feel nervous if I was unable to wear them for some reason. Then I decided to try taking them off for a while, and realized that I could do just fine without them. This morning, I saw this cartoon that suggests to me Hearing people think they don’t need them either! Watch the vlog to find out why!
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August 19, 2009
· Filed under Inside the Deaf Community
I just saw a joke which I retell here and discuss the meaning and implications behind the joke.
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August 17, 2009
· Filed under Inside the Deaf Community
I’ve vlogged about Purple Communications’ “Dream Bigger” contest. This Saturday, August 22, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. at the San Ramon, CA Marriott Hotel, there will be an event to honor Ella Mae Lentz, one of the nominees. Come on and support Ella and have a good time! Click here to RSVP.
For YouTube version, Click Here
August 6, 2009
· Filed under All things ASL, Politics and Advocacy
I love doing crossword puzzles. Recently, I did the USA Today puzzle, and one of the clues was “communicates nonverbally?”. At first I took it as kind of a cute thing, but the more I thought about it, the more I began to think that this is part of why signed languages are devalued in comparison to spoken languages. In this vlog, I discuss the meaning of the word “nonverbal”, and why it should NOT be applied to signed languages.
For YouTube version: click here
August 5, 2009
· Filed under In Search of Deafhood, Inside the Deaf Community
I’ve discussed how I feel more “Deaf” when in settings where non-signing Hearing people are in the majority, while I do not feel “different” when I am among Deaf people. While thinking about that, I got to thinking about identity and how some Deaf have expressed a preference for the term “ASL person” rather than “Deaf”. In this vlog, I explore the dynamics of identity and discuss why “ASL person” is still not correct for us to use.
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August 5, 2009
· Filed under In Search of Deafhood, Inside the Deaf Community
Recently, “TheKoobifora” posed the question of desiring to have a word to describe someone (like herself) who is Deaf, has an identity as a Deaf person, but does not wish to actively “wear her Deaf heart on her sleeve”. Looking at examples from other minority groups, I examine whether it is required that all of us “wear our Deaf hearts on our sleeves”.
For YouTube version: Click Here
August 3, 2009
· Filed under Deafhood Explained, In Search of Deafhood, Inside the Deaf Community
I have noticed some people seem to have a problem with the concept of Deafhood based on the connotations or semantics (meanings) of the -hood suffix. As a linguist, I explain what this suffix means (having a condition, character or certain state), and explore the idea from other words using the -hood suffix.
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August 2, 2009
· Filed under Politics and Advocacy
Last year in Sacramento, I was one of the speakers at the International Day of Sign Languages celebration held at the State Capitol. In anticipation of this year’s International Day of Sign Languages to be held Thursday, September 24, 2009. See this link for more information on the upcoming event: International Day of Sign Languages
For YouTube version, click here
