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48 Responses to “Bernard Bragg’s Take on Pepsi / AGBell”

1. Susan A February 25th, 2008 2:01 am

   thank you for sharing, Bernard, enjoyed the history

2. Deafchipmunk February 25th, 2008 3:58 am

   I want to take my hat off to Bernard Bragg and his team for standing up to AGBell. We are very thankful that freedom of expression (acting and sign language) is still used among Deaf community. Can you imagine, if not for Bernard Bragg and his team, what would happen to us? We must remember him and his team and many other people for fighting for our freedom. Deafchip

3. Jay February 25th, 2008 4:27 am

   Sigh, AgBAD continues to try to hide the world from “their” Deaf, while the rest of us wants to show the world our Deaf. We have nothing to hide. We, and our children, know about their methods and all, but they dont want them and their children to know about ANY other methods besides their. What an irony being in a free country. Thanks Mr. Bragg for sharing this story and be our inspiration.

4. DE February 25th, 2008 5:04 am

   Tayler, Thank you for interviewing Bragg. “We must keep fighting”- right on! With history, knowledge, and power, we will prevail. DE

5. Judge February 25th, 2008 5:12 am

   Why didn’t I be surprised?? LOL Bernard, thank you!

6. White Ghost February 25th, 2008 5:13 am

   BB! Congrats for convincing NBC! Wow! Nice to seeing you. You do not have any white hair! Great job for staying so young and being a kid! One of my claws is under your chin. Cutie Pie. Stay strong. Hugs as always, BB.

7. Lane February 25th, 2008 5:21 am

   Wow interesting….that would be at least 40 years that AGBell’s still at it. Dancing With Stars always draw in BIG audiences……this time Marlee’s there. Great. Big market for ASL.

8. Lisa C. February 25th, 2008 5:41 am

   Wow! Interesting…. Way to go, Bernard! Thank you for sharing this with us. Prevail!!

9. Tim February 25th, 2008 5:59 am

   WOW! I agree with Bernard that we continue fighting what we need in the future… Thanks, Bernard…

10. John Egbert February 25th, 2008 6:10 am

    Bernard, You have inspired me. I join the Deaf Community everyday to fight on this issue that AGBell took away our natural language(ASL) and we want it back for the deaf babies and children in schools. Enough is Enough! John Egbert

11. deb ann February 25th, 2008 6:16 am

    Thank you for sharing the history. Wow! It’s nothing new about AGBAD! It happened in 1967 and I was only two years old at that time!

12. A Deaf Pundit February 25th, 2008 6:30 am

    Fascinating story! Thank you for having Bernard take his time to share that with us!

13. Deafreckles February 25th, 2008 7:34 am

    Bernard, thanks for sharing your story with us! I sure am glad that NBC went ahead and broadcasted your NTD show on TV! We’ll never ever let AGBell take us down!

14. hedy February 25th, 2008 7:41 am

    great information! look forward to watch his history and life in theater.

15. Misha February 25th, 2008 7:46 am

    Wow! I remembered watching Bernard Bragg and his cast on TV back in 1967 and was in awe seeing them signing. I was 7 years old while attending an oral deaf school. My parents didn’t mind me using sign language. I’m surprised that AGBell was involved by writing the complaining letter to NBC. That is incredible that AGBell wouldn’t stop trying to prevent anybody by allowing the deaf using ASL in public just like they did with Pepsi commercial. However, at the end, their tails were between legs and slinked away. LOL! Thanks, Bernard Bragg for telling your incredible tale! Misha

16. Ziggy February 25th, 2008 8:02 am

    I got the goosebumps!!!!!!

17. Terri Watts February 25th, 2008 8:30 am

    Impires me , So Many Thanks to Bernard bring his story sharing w/everyone and to get know more about AGBell about past of 1967′ish. What AGBell have done exposed to TV commercial in the past until same thing as pattern nowadays. Nothing new. We are not going giving up! Keep Deaf Community and Deaf School are stay stand up and strong together. Yes, Indeed continue Deaf TV Commercials. Thank you Tayler bring Bernard here and share w/us for vlog! *waiving hand applause*

18. Amy Cohen Efron February 25th, 2008 8:45 am

    Tayler… wow… that is an another evidence which AG Bell tried to interfere. Please make sure Bernard approves this transcript. Then see if this video can be subtitled by using Overstream.net so that more and more people, especially oral people can watch and learn? Wonderful way to document the oral history! Very impressed! Amy

19. Bridget February 25th, 2008 10:22 am

    wow !!! keep deaf commuity and deaf school stand strong thank you for sharing the history

20. Deafeye February 25th, 2008 10:43 am

    Tayler, This is far the best work you did by having Bernard Bragg interviewed. Like Charles Katz mentioned, it is “Written Language” where we all can archive our vlogs and video over the internet for research purposes along with resources. Hats off to both of you Deafeye

21. Jean Boutcher February 25th, 2008 10:54 am

    Goosebumps! Merci beaucoup, Tayler, for inviting Dr. Bernard Bragg (BB) to give a talk about AGBell Association’s 1967 fiasco. I am very grateful to BB for keeping the history alive so the Generation X and beyond would keep an eagle’s eye at AGBAD. (In real life, Alexander Graham Bell was a paragon of militancy, wishing to see the end of deaf people as a variety of human race through the means of sterilisation. BB’s love and respect for deaf people, sign languages, and Deaf culture in the USA and around the world is colossal, gigantic, vast, huge. He is not a man who would be neutral. Whenever he hears the vox populi of deaf people, he would fight for deaf rights. BB is the Rock of Gibaltar!

22. Robin Polin February 25th, 2008 10:56 am

    Wow, very impression comments by Bernard Bragg! The history is still carrying in our life. Our lives show we cares about our deaf community and cultures and keep fighting to open our public to anywhere in the world that we are deafies to stand up for the truth what we believe in ASL and DEAF CULTURES. DO not let AGB down us! We show our truth to AGB to open mind what our deaf cultures stand for! But I am sorry for AGB’s mind close therefore they are useless!

23. deafkathy February 25th, 2008 11:02 am

    Time for true DEAF UNITY out there and try to stop AGBell from opressing DEAF/ASL! Stand up and SPEAK in ASL!

24. Leigh February 25th, 2008 11:23 am

    Hey BB, What an awesome storytelling about its 1967 NTD on TV!! YES YES, I WILL NEVER FORGET ABOUT YOUR SHOW!! SERIOUS!! YOU COMPLETELY CHANGED my life when I was oral 7 yrs old young restless girl… My hearing parent kept rejected me going to deaf school. I was labelled as a ADHD and I couldnt sit more than 5 min on hearing TV show…TIll your NTD show, I finally paid attention to your show for full hour…That hit my parent, so they send me deaf school till I graduated!! Thank you to all of you who made the different to let NTD on TV show back in 1967 which I remembered very well. THANK YOU AGAIN !!! ASLly yours, Leigh

25. Merv Garretson February 25th, 2008 11:25 am

    Great going, BB! History re-visiteed! i still have a copy of the telegram George Fellendorf of the AGB sent to NBC! As then secretary-treasurer of the NAD, we joined the protest! As usual, BB waxed eloquent. Yes, victory was ours!

26. Welch's ASL Juice! February 25th, 2008 11:37 am

    Thank you, Tayler, for sharing with us. Thank you, Bernard, for sharing with us and encouraging us to continue to fight against oppression from oralism.

27. John Critser February 25th, 2008 11:49 am

    I have to solemnly and resoundingly say that Bernard Bragg is right, AG Bell is at it again, as BB is a Hollywood insider. AG Bell is just an outsider balking at the fact ASL is portrayed on television, providing exposure to oral deaf children. I feel by instinct that there might have been other instances that AG Bell fired off letters to various television stations where ASL was used, to stop production or to omit scenes, and I am sure they even sent letters to various sponsors that supported Deaf culture to not give us money, or to redirect that money to them. They will try to block us every way we can, but we need to stay on top of their toes. I wonder if NAD or some law firm can request information on all of the AG Bell’s past letters, and whom they sent to, in protest of ASL? That way if we obtain that information, we can break down more barriers unknown to us previously. Just a thought.

28. ASLdeafman February 25th, 2008 12:03 pm

    Hello, Tayler! Thanks a lot for asking Bernard Bragg to share his bad experience with us. It is nothing new about AGBell. Apparently, AGBell loves looking for trouble. They should stop doing it anymore. Period! ASLdeafman

29. Raining in the Northwest February 25th, 2008 12:08 pm

    Thank you, Bernard Bragg for the great inspiration you have laid amongst us Generation Xers–those of us who were born after 1967..and I am particularly inspired by Leigh’s story about how even one child can be impacted for a lifetime with the simple 1-hour exposure to American Sign Language. Had it not been for NBC’s decision to go ahead with the show, where would Leigh be today? My life drastically changed when I was exposed to ASL for the first time when I was 16 years old. Where?? At Youth Leadership Camp (YLC) in Oregon in 1990. I was so impacted that I convinced my mother to ship me off to a deaf school and I have not looked back ever since then. And now today I cannot remember what it was like to practically live and breathe in the Hearing world as an oral deaf. I have tons of friends all over the country today thanks to ASL. I have my jobs today because of ASL. I have my wife today because of ASL. I have my pride and identity today because of ASL. And lastly, my goddamn sanity. My wish is to see MORE ASL on television and movies. Show ASL to everyone in America and AGBell will always continue to chase after so many rabbits that it won’t be able to catch one. Keep on! BF

30. Jean February 25th, 2008 12:27 pm

    [riffly_video]6A6ED546E3DF11DCBBCFD0A456B4F508[/riffly_video]

31. Denise February 25th, 2008 12:31 pm

    Tayler - Bragg… is there any way we can ever see that show that was broadcasted national wide? I wasn’t even born at that time.

32. JohnABC February 25th, 2008 1:14 pm

    Thank you tayler for sharing us with BB! Well said! Long Live ASL!

33. Barb DiGi February 25th, 2008 1:35 pm

    BB, it is so good to see you sharing your story that you were an eyewitness account to how AG Bell protested to airing an hour of ASL show. I would love to see your show if you can somehow release it for us who weren’t even born or too young to remember and the letter from AG Bell. We need to continue to collect the documents in one place showing a stack of proof how AG Bell have oppressed the ASL Community. Your fine example to appear in a national broadcast is a way to market ASL that made an impact to Deaf children like Leigh. This torch is being carried on by a variety of groups who continue to expose the wonders of ASL especially to Deaf oral children who are being blindfolded by the oppressors. Allow them see other than to hear! Tayler, great job getting this vlog documentary done!

34. RLM February 25th, 2008 1:41 pm

    Tayler, First of all, please check out the email header which seems too bright for the deaf-blind Deafread readers and viewers. That was a fuzzy memory of the AgBAD (AGBell)’s tactics against the NBC-TV. Merv Garreston, I wonder if the Gallaudet Archives and NAD do have the copy of AgBAD (AGBELL) telegram to the NAD. So any historical documents of the deaf community will be not lose forever. Smile! I always thought that BB done the mime feature on the local television station before the NTD presentation on the nationwide broadcasting. Was I correct or what? You are still the damnest good-looking lad! ASLize yours, Robert L. Mason (RLM) RLMDEAF blog

35. JFLMad February 25th, 2008 3:17 pm

    Thank you Bernard! and Tayler too! We must continue to fight for our rights. The struggles continue but they can’t stop us! JFLMad

36. Davy February 25th, 2008 3:53 pm

    I might saw that …… not sure …… but heard of it some what that time. Yes Thanks for bring the good news both of you Bernard and Tayler. Of course we stand up for our right to fight back. Tsk Tsk AGbell Thanks Davy

37. PANY Lighthouse February 25th, 2008 6:11 pm

    Bernard, Thanks for showing us the repeat of history with AGBell –we shall always prevail and be infinitely empowered by ASL throughout our lives! Tayler, thank you for having BB aboard! ~Ginny

38. Jean Boutcher February 25th, 2008 6:13 pm

    I like RLM’s idea that documents be preserved. I would like to see copies of the precious documents stored in the archives not only of Galladuet but also of CSUN, The American School for the Deaf in Connecticut, and the World Federation of the Deaf. Long Live Deaf History!

39. Michael Schwartz February 25th, 2008 6:39 pm

    Excellent historical perspective that informs the debate on sign language in TV…it’s very helpful to put AGBAD’s position on the Pepsi commercial in context. One would think the AGBAD organization would have evolved, matured, grown over the years, but as Bernard’s story so compellingly demonstrates, the AGBAD is still fearful of sign language’s powerful appeal and place in American culture. Thanks, dear friend. Michael

40. Russell Errigo February 25th, 2008 8:24 pm

    Hey Tayler, This is an impressive perspective and I’m impressed by far! BB is one of the heros in the Deaf Community and it takes guts and determination to fight it off by AG Bell and others. I have news to tell you someday soon…I’ll vlog it when I have a chance. AG Bell invited me to be a panel among with 5 other panelist. AG Bell wanted to sponsor me for racing, I declined their offer since they must recognize ASL and Bi Bi language, period. I’ll explain the details on my first vlog We have the responsibility to educate AG Bell and they need to accept our philosophy. We’re facing many changes in the future and it’s our responsibility to preserve our culture. Keep it up Deafread! Sincerely, Russell Errigo

41. Julie Rems-Smario February 25th, 2008 10:23 pm

    BB!! I love hearing your stories. I remember you telling about this story before. There are also so many more stories you told. Can Taylor start a series of your stories so we can have them archived. Those are the type of stories we need to hear for many years to come and remind ourselves to never stop advocating for what is rightfully, and birthrightly, ours–our language, ASL! Love ya! Julie

42. CoachCreech February 26th, 2008 2:32 am

    Thanks for sharing this important message from Mr. Bragg. Like my old teacher said the history will repeat itself.. All we could do is continue fight and don’t ever give up, EVER!

43. mitch February 26th, 2008 7:57 am

    Bravo Bernard !!

44. Deafjoe3 February 26th, 2008 8:41 am

    Bernard, Thanks for sharing your story with us. We still stand up and fight for our right! Thumbs up! Joseph

45. Dianrez February 26th, 2008 12:47 pm

    Tayler and Bernard, thanks for adding this bit to our Deaf History lore. It reminded me of the first time I met Bernard in the home of Robert F. Panara, a good friend of his. It was about the same time, and the talk in the group was about Louise Tracy (of the Tracy Clinic) and her successful interference with a similar Deaf Culture TV program. I am glad that this time the oralists were stopped and Deaf Culture endeavors made it to revolutionize public media. And Bernard, you haven’t changed a bit. Keep it up! More stories, please!

46. Lowe family February 26th, 2008 7:11 pm

    Wow, I never knew about that history. You ROCK! I have been watched your shows when I was little boy at mainstream school but havent see your first show of America history on t.v. Hey BB and Tayler- Can one of you get a one hour show clip broadcast from 1967 on NBC so I can see the show because I was born on year of 1977 pretty obviously- Please do find that clip and show all of us in America! Please let me know if you or BB can find a clip so I would love to watch without missing a chance. Thanks again! Lowe family

47. y3 » NCSD in 1977 violated students’ liberties March 5th, 2008 10:32 am

    [...] recent incident, or fiasco, involving the Pepsi Superbowl commercial prompted Bernard Bragg to vlog, in retrospect, about his experience with AGBell trying to stop his “Experiment in TV” episode on NBC, saying [...]

48. DEAF WORLD AS EYE SEE IT » AG Bell Infamous Telegram to NBC March 5th, 2008 4:56 pm

    [...] Mayer’s post is called, “Bernard Bragg’s Take on Pepsi / AGBell” [...]

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