Why we should be proud to be called “militants”
In my previous post, I took a look at some famous people in history who might be called “militant” today. I continue this thread by taking a look at some of their quotes to see if we could really call them “militants” or not. What I found was quite interesting and revealing. Moreover, many of the things they said can apply to us as Deaf people, if we changed a few words. (As a bonus, you’ll see some of why I will never vlog while the kids are awake again!) :-{
Bill said,
March 24, 2008 @ 9:58 am
Very Interesting!
And thanks for captioning – normally, if I go more than 30 seconds without understanding, I lose focus and close a vlog. You’re subtitles help me keep up!
I am hearing, and I don’t care whether someone is an ASL Militant, or a CI Militant – they should be committed if they feel strongly. We should be able to express our beliefs, without being condemned or thrown aside by others for expressing them. But we must also be strong enough to accept criticism from others, who do not accept our point of view and argue against it, as those heroic people you mentioned were able to do.
Ron said,
March 24, 2008 @ 4:52 pm
You are right about the terminology, militant and that is how many Deaf people are intimidated by audists and oppressors. Great vlog and keep vloggin’! – Ron -
Jenny said,
March 24, 2008 @ 5:15 pm
Yup… (am on pager, so I’m going by your summary)
I’ve decided to proudly own the militant label. I believe in holding the community to certain principles, including collectivism, thinking for ourselves, not tearing each other down, the ability to dialogue with respect even when we disagree, et cetera. And based on what some people say, that makes me a Deaf Militant.
Ok, then that’s a label I wear with pride!!!
tommy said,
March 25, 2008 @ 3:17 am
Very powerful and well-organized vlog. I agree with you 100%. It really does depend on the timing of history in which the notion of militancy is defined, how deviance becomes negotiated as a site of power. It is very important to consider these as factors when trying to pursue one’s own agenda. If you get a chance, read my vlog on militant thinking and you can see that we struck chords on various levels when discussing what it means to be a militant thinker. I, too, am a militant thinker and I will see you at the front lines. Looking forward to more camaraderie.
Jean Boutcher said,
March 25, 2008 @ 5:31 am
I agree with you on all points. I remember very well that not only were UfG protesters, myself included, called militants but we were also called “terrorists” by those who applied “MBI” (management by intimidation). Having been an activist – pacifist with hearing people for a worthy cause, I knew that we were wrongly labelled and was, therefore, determiend not to give up until it ended well.
We must memorise forever that we should be proud militants for something that is a worthy cause. (I have read Mandela on the Internet that Vice President Cheney voted down for the release of
Mandela [it sounds like him], but Mandela was finally freed after 30 years.
RLM said,
March 25, 2008 @ 8:55 pm
Please read my following comment on RLMDEAF blog in response to your vlog message.
How generous and thoughtful of you doing the research on the issue of militancy!
I once researched “Deaf Militancy” for my Gallaudet research paper with one of the sociology class.
I was once concerned about the so-called Deaf Miitancy in the first place which empowered me to do the research for more than 10 years. I was personally changed by my own research and done the militant stuff on the DeafRead blogosphere for past two years.
Robert L. Mason (RLM)
RLMDEAF blog
rlmdeaf@hotmail.com
DrDonG said,
March 26, 2008 @ 3:13 am
Note: Robert Mason’s blog can be found at: http://robertmason.blogspot.com/
–Dr. DonG.