Before I go ahead and discuss and response to Chipmuck’s vlog on militant, I feel the need to address two notions: paradigms and hegemony. Then, I will show through a brief history how the concept of militant has made a paradigmic shift.
A paradigm can be explained as life itself, our history. It is what we believe in and our way of life and that becomes our ideology. How we go to school, how we were brought up with family and friends contribute to our paradigm. In this case, how the current dominant approach on dealing with deaf children is with CI and AVT. and how that contributes to the current paradigm. That paradigm is becoming stronger and stronger. Our current paradigm (can be referred as ideology in some levels) is run by hegemony. For example, Slavery was a paradigmic concept that was fed on free labor, capitalism, and stigma. We cannot change the paradigm without changing our way of life. Hegemony “explains” and “feeds” the paradigm including the set of norms, truths, and values constructed from the framing/defining behaviors and lived experience and becomes common sense which further strengthens the paradigm. There is no paradigm without hegemony. They both function together on various levels. That is our current paradigm.
In order for our paradigm to be shifted, there needs to be a crack in the current hegemony. The crack exposes what we normally call ‘common sense,’ the crack exposes the dangers of CI and AVT and it is done in many ways including militant actions. The crack is an opportunity for us to shift the paradigm.
History has proven over and over. Aristole was considered a militant when he proclaimed ‘know thyself.’ Galilieo when he explained that the Sun evolved around the earth, or when Martin Luther King and Gandi talked about nonviolence and that it would bring peace, and in some levels it has brought peace, that is process. They all sacrificed for their faith and for their militant thinking. That was militant thinking that allowed a paradigmic shift.
It’s funny, you are relying on a dictionary to explain militant, it is that innate characteristics that these people have used in their attempt to shift the current hegemony. As I have already explained, militant is not always negative.
I applaud those who choose to challenge the current paradigm by finding ways to expose that cracks in hegemony. I am confident in my faith like those before me and I will continue to be militant.
43 comments:
WOW. This post is a keeper. Thank you!
-Jenny
Beautiful and many thanks for presenting this intelligent and healthy view to what's happening in the Deaf world.
fascinating analysis. that actually put the so-called militant concept in another perspective.
what puzzles me about deafchip's vlog is that he compares "deaf militants" as terrorists, religious extremists, etc. somewhat a deja vu. that reminded me of second protest at Gallaudet last year. the protesters were called terrorists.
i'm sure that it's not deafchip's intention to put that into that light, and i'm sure he has a good intention and tries to convey his message to encourage positive thoughts and ideals so that would help promote ASL and Deaf community , etc etc.
Sometimes, positive-only activism doesn't always work and sometimes it requires radical approach to stir up which could lead to changes for better. Now your discussion of paradigms and hegemony makes sense, and that actually applied to both protests at Gallaudet in 1988 and 2006.
in the other words, militancy and radicals have vital roles in maintaining balance or possibly "crack up" the "paradigmic" concept. it just boils down to "degree" of militancy.
thank you-
I am impress with your blog and I would like to add what I also commented on Chipmunk's blog,
Chipmunk,
I would like to comment about your Vlog
http://deafchipmunk.blogspot.com/2008/02/warning-deaf-militancy-destroys-asl-and.html
I admit it that it did hit me somewhat.
But then I had to think it over and over and over.
BULLSHIT!!!
The black community did this ideology of "Your Vlog philosphy" and IT DID NOT WORK!
Black community did tried that ideology of yours and still the certain white(AGBell) group took advantage to the "positive" attitude of the black community to be recognized as a normal human being and still did not work.
So what did the black community needed to EMPHASIZE the white (AGBell) community that they need to change their attitude towards the black (DEAF) community????
It is all bullshit that we have to be colonialized to be accepted!!!!
Read this blog…
http://disablism.blogspot.com/
Sorry that I am unable to explain how I feel due to my limitation to explain to you in words.
But, Chipmunk, I am really disappointed about you!
John Egbert
HAND WAVE HAND WAVE HAND WAVE HAND WAVE!! Thank you so much!!!! You totally paved the way for Deaf people to confidently topple the system!!! Thank you so much!
I am gonna cover your vlog & transcript (along with DeafChimpunk's, too..) in my Deafhood class tonight! :)
DE
My perspective from which a narrative is presented; it is analogous to the point from which the militant as different definition view others issues as such Deafhood/Deafness as well.
Your comment goes make sense different outside and inside the box which your perspective ways of methods.
Can you fill me in info about compare "Deafhood and Deafness" isn't part of militants.
Like what Brenster's comment
"what puzzles me about deafchip's vlog is that he compares "deaf militants" as terrorists, religious extremists, etc. somewhat a deja vu. that reminded me of second protest at Gallaudet last year. the protesters were called terrorists."
Hold the horse, isn't part of terrorists as protesters?
Look same pattern as Hearing people who did made their protesters as terrorist too?
What make your point?
What do you call a hearing person who want to change deaf person to be like hearing person that has no experience being deaf background? Do you relized that some hearing people taking advantage of using deaf people to earn money and some don't? Do you relized that the State decided to put mental retarded, cripple, part of blind into deaf school that they think deaf are not normal like hearing do? So what do you call that?
~Steve
I'm just curious. How do you feel HoH and late-deafened fit into a paradigm shift?
Good form. People react to what is available to them aka the dictionary, ahem.
Oh wow! I must admit my jaw dropped while watching your beautiful and intelligent vlog.
Please keep on vlogging.
John Egbert,
I want to make it clear that I am supporting DBC's philosophy. However, I am questioning your professionalism and leadership. Instead of saying Bullshit, I think that you should have a better word usage. Show your intelligence please.
Thank you,
Arthur Wiesblatt
John Egbert,
Je veux préciser que je soutiens la philosophie de DBC. Cependant, je questionne votre professionalisme et votre direction. Au lieu de dire la Foutaise, je pense que vous devez avoir un meilleur usage de mot. Montrer votre intelligence s'il vous plaît.
Merci,
Arthur Wiesblatt
Wow...I love your beautiful and intelligent analysis.
Fascinating post! Warm welcome to the vlog world and I really want to see more of your input as we need more people like you. Can't do it alone, you know?
I really enjoy your analysis about how the process of making such changes requires the need to be active. It is a matter of how it is done without damaging the targeted aduience. I believe it is possible to challenge the system but being positive at the same time. Thanks for your validation.
Arthur Wiesblatt,
I agree with you and already emailed to Chipmunk and apologized.
And I apologize to the readers and will not do it again.
John Egbert
Just curious; Are you really studying law? What law school are you in?
Hi Tommy,
Thank you so much.. Well Said..... I just added your link to my post,"It Is OK To Be Non-Violent Militant"
David has a good heart. His heart is in right place. His goal is to provide best future for Deaf children. We always learn everyday. It is good to have this dialogue.
By the way, Welcome to our vlogland. and keep up with vlogging. I can sense that you have so much to contribute to the Deaf community.:o)
Aidan
Hi there!
Beautiful concept! You enlightened us! Thank you for your conveying to share with new words to our audience as "students."
I agreed from all above of comments in their responsives. In fact, I admired David Kerr's courage to share his concept of miliant along with Adian's miniorities depicting in the history.
I recalled Joey Baer's vlog in about two years ago during Gallaudet protests, he discussed about "Think Tank" to share our inputs and thoughts to share with.
To my ponder, if you could establish powerpoint presentation or add to Deafhood that will gain our personal knowledge to remind ourselves in vlog or blog for future research materials? It will be great benefit to educate deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing people including CODA and ASL students.
I truly appreciated your great effort to share and to response to David Kerr (Deaf Chipmunk)'s recent vlog. Thank you!
Nick Vera
Dang! That was deep! The Deaf community needs to have bright young people like you to educate and inspire deafies and hearies.
Hey, DeafChip is a good man. He is one of my favorite vloggers. I think it is good to have people with different perspectives in similar interests.
Thumb up!
My video response for you - and I would love to hear about your thoughts/comments to my questions I have for you...
Click here to watch my video
Amy Cohen Efron
I love, simply love the astuteness in your analysis. I would like to take the liberty to assure you that David is in toto agreement with you. What he really means in his vlog is that he wants diplomacy and peace, not violence, when expressing disagreements with AGBell.
What a delight to find someone with a philosopher's eye like you on DeafRead. Have you read Paddy Ladd's book about Deafhood? If so, what do you say about it?
Do vlog more often.
Really enjoyed your vlog which is really enlightening! It has been years since I studied sociology / cultural anthropology at Gallaudet!
To understand in depth what you have explained to us, would it be an analogy when people plant seeds and new ideas a bit by bit into the paradigm in order to change the status quo. It takes time to change the way of thinking within the paradigm.
OK. if we plant seeds in a positive way without attacking oral advocates and hearing parents of deaf children. Then, they feel less threatened and warm up towards us. Then a bridge is built between the two groups. Otherwise, our militancy would push them away and against us in many ways.
Is it what it is all about?
Thanks.
Thank you all for your wonderful feedback. I will try to vlog more often, in fact, I think I will do a revision and perhaps have three different vlogs: 1) on paradigm and its shifts, 2) hegemony, and 3) how both apply to militant thinking (not just DBC). However, I am working on my PHD comprehensive exams and will be extremely busy. I promise you that after a few weeks, I will come back and after catching up with DeafRead, I will post more vlogs.
If you want to do some research on your own, you may read about Thomas Kuhn’s paradigm’s in his Scientific Revolutions and Gramsci’s notion of hegemony.
Chipmuck: First of all, I apologize for not letting everyone know that my vlog was actually intended to just explain my own view on militancy. I agree with a lot of the comments that you were bold to bring up this issue. Big kudos to you. My vlog was not intended to attack you at all, but rather stir up the pot and see what flavors come out of. After reading these comments, I am glad I posted this vlog. I am glad that we all were able to clear up some misunderstandings quickly before it became distorted.
Ella: Thank you for your kind comment. Your vlogs are powerful and very beautiful as well. I know our paths will cross soon enough.
Brenster: Good points, by the way. I went to CID for 10 years. Phew.
DE: Great chatting with you via VP although it was short!
GalaxyAngelz: George Washington was viewed as a terrorist and a militant to the British and if it wasn’t for the French, he would have lost the revolutionary war and been hung for treason because he was a “terrorist” in the eyes of the British. However, things went his way, he is considered our hero and founding father. Interesting, eh? So, the concept of terrorists is socially negotiable, it depends which viewpoint you are taking. Same goes for the definition of militant thinking. The last thing we need is a sense of negativity within our community when trying to confront the larger hegemonic issues surrounding AVT and CI. My journey to Deafhood requires me to confront some of the hegemonic issues that I have faced growing up (i.e. the famous dinner table where I was always the first person to leave because I never could keep track of my parents and my sister’s converstations-it wasn’t good or bad, we just didn’t know, I didn’t know that I could confront the hegemonic process of the “dinner” routine. If I had instilled some militant thinking, I would have been able to confront my parents, granted, they would be shocked, but they would have made efforts to include me in the dinner conversation thus creating a paradigmic shift albeit, a small shift, but a huge impact which makes the paradigm shift with significant force. To me, deafness is a noun. It is a paradigm. The concept of deafness is what makes me who I am, however, deafhood is a (hegemonic) process where I instill my own cultural values, my way of thinking after reading Ladd and trying to instill that hegemonic process into shifting my current paradigm of what it means to be deaf.
Steve: I call that the hearing people using hegemonic values (putting deaf people along with other disabled people into one category and determining what the problems/solutions are ) to maintain and strengthen the paradigm.
Aaron: It doesn’t matter if you’re HOH or an LDA, we are sharing the same oppression, of course, in different layers. Some are much more obscured and not realizing their own oppression (alienation). To them, their paradigm is so strong because they take the hegemonic values as “common sense.” For example, some deaf people (including profound, HOH, and LDA) would consider oppression as “okay”
and a part of life. They choose to allow these hegemonic values to be in their paradigm.
Drmzz: ;) I love using the dictionary as an example. I also use the DSM IV to show how in the 70’s that gay people were considered a “disease” and a “disorder” that needed to be “cured.” 30 years later, oops, looks like they made a mistake and decided to take homosexuality out of the DSM. That is another example of a paradigmic shift.
Kydeafie/kelly87 : thank you!
DiGi: Thank you for the warm welcome to the vlogland. I will be posting more after I finish my comprehensives. I have always enjoyed your vlogs and hopefully can meet you in Milwaukee.
John Egbert: Glad that everything was cleared up. The last thing I wanted to see was that my vlog would end up as a battle ground. you continue to inspire all of us and that also comes with accountability. Thank you again for your inspiration on DBC and its important concepts.
Todd: I am getting my PHD in disability law under the school of justice and social inquiry at ariz. State.
Aidan: thank you for your warm welcome. I will read your vlog and post a comment when I can. That reminds me, I also read DE’s “5 myths of militancy” and wanted to attach that to my vlog, but could not find it. I have to admit, I am a bit clumsy when it comes to this whole vlog thing, but bear with me! I know we will meet sooner than later!
Domvera: I will always be a student even if I become a 90 year old professor. I have learned that I still have a lot to learn. Best lesson in my life and thank god I learned this a long time ago. Nick, I agree on making a PP which I also mentioned that I would revise the vlog and make it more ‘concise.’ Unfortunately, the concept of hegemony and paradigms is so complex that there is an entire PHD-level course dedicated just to paradigms and another one on hegemony. To discourse on hegemony/paradigms into a PP would do it injustice. Gramsci and Kuhn would actually say that if I decide to describe and explain these concepts into a PP (and making it a “dictionary”), I am actually perpetuating that dominant paradigm which is dangerous. I strongly feel that these concepts are best left to the vlog discourse, but you are right, there has to be a way, perhaps you can help me? Like I said, I am a student!
Amy: I am just now typing this and realized that you posted a video. I will respond back via vlog ASAP.
To all: Again, thank you all for this great “moment” of my (our) journey to deafhood. I look forward to many many many more discourses and discussions!
All the best and in the spirit of Veditz,
Tommy
GalaxyAngelz-
I'll try to explain my point.
Remember the protest at Gallaudet last year? Someone from I. King Jordan administration talked with media, comparing Gallaudet protesters with terrorists.
So, when DeafChip used the word "terrorist" in his vlog yesterday, in my mind, "oh not again!" because that reminded me of what Jordan's Admin. said last year.
Of course, I do not agree that Gallaudet protesters were terrorists, but yes the protesters had militant approach and that was good, because it led to breakthrough for changes that have been overdue at Gallaudet.
-------------
Lastly, to everyone, I want to mention that DeafChip has my utmost respect, and I know he meant very well in his vlog yesterday. Still, the terms he used to compare with "Deaf militants" concerned me.
:-)
This came to my attention that my video response resulted an error page.
My apologizes - and when you get into the error page, copy the URL address, and re-paste it. It'll show.
I don't understand why there is an error. Must be a programming issue.
copy this URL
http://videoserver.us/ftp/abcohende
/response/responseforyou.mov
Make sure that it is in a full string, no spaces...
Amy Cohen Efron
Amy,
At first, it did not work after
clicking your link, "responce", for about five times. I just so happened to spot the full URL address on the bottom left side of the blog page that was for your
link on which my mouse rested. So I copied and pasted in the browser. Voilà! It does work this
way.
Well said! You nailed my mind the mean of two words you used! Thanks! I will remember those words because it helps us as Deaf people to understand better.
Tommy,
Thank you so much for this post!!! I NEVER say stuff like this, but I can't help myself. You're my crush for the day. Your masterful use of language to get your point across is amazing, and your message is powerful. Thank you!
~a gal who will remain anonymous ;)
Welcome to the vlogland, *ist! :)
I enjoyed your vlog - thought-provoking and I'd have to come back later (if it's not too old by then! :)
But I see Amy's link is broken so I thought I'd fix it for others to see - I enjoyed her response too!
Here you go:
Amy Cohen Efron's Response To *ist
:)
Hi Tommy
Thank you and I really enjoyed your presentation. It appears that we all have learnt alot about the term of militancy and our views. I think it is healthy. At first, I was worried that would divide us into different groups (that is the one I never want to us at all) but it appears that we are getting to the point by understanding each other better.
We have same goal for Deaf children (ASL as first language for Deaf children) and we have different approaches that I think are healthy too depending on where you live. I think in Canada, the term of militancy is not very popular. Canada was born out of coorperation and USA was born out of militancy (revolution). The British government learned its mistake and the British government changed its approach toward Canada and then Canada was created as a nation through cooperation, not war.
Our views are not always the same based on where you live, values, politicals etc etc.
Yes I definitely want to watch your vlogs more in the near future. I watched Amy Cohen's video recently and I find that very interesting and I look forward to seeing your response for her.
Well done and I am very happy that we are getting together. In fact, Tommy and you all others are great and make many excellent arguement about the term of militancy. We now understand it better and understand us even better. I think I am glad I had a gut to bring it up. Maybe we should do more like that (different issue) once a while to make us all think and improve us.
Good luck with your PHD studies.
Thanks to you, Tommy and all of you.
Deafchip
Just checked the link I posted for Amy's and it didn't work! Dang!
I'm trying again... hoping it works now?? (it works in the preview section, but after posting this, it adds weird characters in the href tag.)
Attempt #2
Excatly and very subtle on the issue of militant and you made well clarification of what that means! My big question from my understanding that most Deaf Community in general do not study such like that Aristole or Plato or other history. You are right there are many fine histories to tell unfortunately they are not well aware of what that means such as a militant. Many time people call me radical or very aggressive whatever I do not mind. i like the way you gave very well explanation in that issue! Good job!
Normally, we use a word,
protester, activist, or
demonstrator. If protesting
or demonstrating in a violent
manner, that is when a person
becomes a militant, terrorist,
extremist. All people following
Obama bin Laden are militants,
extremists, and terrorists,
NOT protesters, activist, or
demonstrator.
See the difference?
*I* do, Anonymous, but the people freely throwing around the term "Deaf militants" don't draw that distinction.
-Jenny
Beautifully put! This is the kind of thinking that we need to be doing instead of whining like many vbloggers have been doing. That gets nowhere fast.
What is the crack? If there is none, can we drive a wedge somewhere to start one? This is the question that needs to be answered next. It is my feeling that the developing medium of Deaf vblogs will bring us to this point soon.
Your vlog is most welcome and couldn't come at a better time.
Hey, hey Jared!!
Don't get me started on mooning again...
;)
Nobody wants to see that nasty crack again... :D
Which word you prefer to use and depend on how you define the word of militant. Today most of general would prefer to use activist. If you study or read called "The Politics" written by Aristole that book would explain everything and that book is tool for being activist for most college students and even who might be interested in becoming an activist, start with that book first read then understand better. In fact most of our Deaf community do not understand anything like that politics unless you are involved with that political activists then you might understand better!!!
Jared Evans: THE "ALL TALK, NO ACTION" EDITOR OF DEAFREAD:
That is harsh comment about v/bloggers being whiners. Tommy encourages v/bloggers to have an open dialogue without fearing that someone would mislabel them (like exactly you just did in your comment).
The v/bloggers are the ones who take actions and you are the ones who do all talk and no action.
All you do is to sit in the front computer, to click to approve the vlogs/blogs and to judge others.
Do not tell the v/bloggers what they have done wrong. Please set the example.
Thank you,
Brandi
Did you hear what Jared said?
He calls ___many__ vloggers whiners. That is a hostile comment about vloggers.
Who are "many whining vloggers"?
Com'on, Jared!
thank u for ur vlog entry
great discourse here
ur use of the term common sense - i didnt quite follow it because ur overall point seemed to be "the paradigm" is established by the hemogony framework / mentality
that the feeding of this mentality creates an illusion of a "common sense" principle? that if the hemogony framework says:
- it is desirable and best to be "normal" ie hearing, white, male, hetorsexual, etc
then the paradigm will say its common sense to:
- discourage being different and to set up programs to irradicate / minimize this difference - lets all jump into the melting pot and get cooked
totally understood and valued all else u were saying - just didnt quite fully grasp how u were using common sense - i think u meant it as "generally accepted - becomes adopted by the dominate culture..."
thanks again
peace
patti durr
Dude! Where have you been?!
My jaw dropped like a bomb when you explained about paradigm and hegemony. You nailed it! I'm learning about these words. We need to create the crack to shift the paradigm.
Great presentation, Professor Thomas.
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