We, as the Deaf community, need to stop sanctioning protests. Seriously, sitting at my desk, I’m shaking my head in amazement because I have yet to hear about a protest at a High School.
Yes! A high school, especially a state-owned high school.
From a report by MishkaZena, North Carolina School for the Deaf suspended 5 staff and 7 students in retaliation to planned protests. The reasoning behind the protest there seems more fuzzy than clear-cut. The institution promptly suspended the students and staff–with comments saying the students will not be able to go to a decent college if they follow through with the protest. (From Morgantown’s Newspaper here! WBTV’s coverage, here!)
Come on, now people! From the actual news coverage, it seems like another case of JKF’s protests…Not Deaf Enough? Before you guys start accusing me of slanting this protest in the wrong light, here’s a quote from Ridor, one of the notorious Deaf militants, “Four years. And she still has not mastered the use of American Sign Language at North Carolina School for the Deaf? “
Seriously, is this how the Deaf community tries to solve problems? Putting on a protest again, and again, and again, and again, and again?!
I cannot and will not endorse this protest. As a member of the Deaf community, I feel that we are responsible for the hearing world’s reaction and thoughts towards the Deaf community–
We are not a bunch of idiots whining and demanding protests every time we aren’t happy.
We cannot allow protests to happen again and again because hearing people aren’t core members of the Deaf community. That is a ridiculous thing to protest about. We need to start to pick our battles, start to condemn certain behavior from certain people within the community. Just because I’m against the protest over there in NC does not mean I’m against the overall progress of the Deaf community.
In fact, I believe strongly that the protests over there in NC is hurting the Deaf community’s image.
Don’t you think it’s time for the Deaf community to grow up and start being diplomats?
I do.
Der Sankt
*Note* cross posted at benvess.com’s blog
This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 27th, 2008 at 1:09 pm and is filed under America, deaf, deaf schools. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Sankt,
You are out of touch and your comments are way, way off base.
Protesting is an honorable and longstanding tradition in America, and that’s partly how our country was founded.
Protesting is completely justified in certain situations. There is nothing wrong with deaf high school students holding a peaceful protest. They made the small mistake of planning to hold the protest all day and walk out of classes. It would have been better if they protested without walking out of classes, then the administration would have no excuse for preventing it.
Sankt, you don’t seem to have a clear grasp of the situation of decades-long oppression against the Deaf, a linguistic minority.
Do your research before you slam the Deaf students and staff.
Poor academic quality and communication problems with the teachers and administrators have been plaguing the school for years. Grievances from the students and staff were ignored by the administrations. Allegations of illegal activities being performed, including shredding of incident reports, were made. This is nothing like being whining about the administrator Not Deaf Enough.
Come on,
I’m glad you’re in favor of continuing the trend for dismantling the diplomatic and intelligent portrait of Deaf people.
Protest, in the American traditional sense, is something to be saved for last. When ALL else fails, protest. I haven’t seen what exactly the people at NCSD did in order to stave off protest before going through with it. Why is this NCSD problem being brought up NOW when there’s a protest, rather than BEFORE and seeing maybe we could come to an agreement?
You’re saying NCSD was justified? Okay, I’m listening…
You admit in the very next sentence that it was a mistake…
Truly, you’re proving my point: stupid = deaf people.
Make sense please.
Der Sankt
By the way, don’t say I don’t know decades-long oppression against the Deaf. I have Deaf parents, went to Deaf schools (VSD, MSSD) and went to Gallaudet. It would be very safe for me to say I’m in the core Deaf community and am well aware of what is going on historically and currently.
Mishka,
You of all people, I’m surprised. Seriously, this is a state-school. You and I very well know that the school’s administration has to answer to the state. Now, my question here is: why are you endorsing a protest against the school’s administration without the support of the State of North Carolina?
This isn’t Gallaudet and you know that.
Rather than offering the students in NCSD your insightfulness in diplomacy, you encourage them to protest? Seriously, NAD couldn’t write letters to NC state? How about NCAD? How much does the Board of Education of North Carolina is aware of this situation? Those are details you seem to neglect and rushed into justifying their protests…
The administration in NCSD has been going on for years—what actions did the student body and faculty take in order to warrant a protest? Why is it that the protesters do not have the backing of the community at large and the state?
Come on, be real…Stop making deaf people so protest-happy. We’re not all like that.
Der Sankt
Whoa! Slandering me as a Deaf Militant. What’s next? The point is that the Director of NCSD should have learn how to communicate at a facility like NCSD. Even your ex learned ASL within a couple of years.
That does not make one a militant, Ben! Linda has not learned ASL in 4 years — she is not qualified to run NCSD, period.
And you’re out of touch with NCSD alumni. I am not. I have friends and connections with NCSD Alumni — they told me that the frustrations has been simmering for many months. Of course, the protests was the last thing on their minds — maybe it was an act of desperation on their part but they were certainly not trigger-happy in setting up the protests.
You need to be quiet and quit accusing people of being militants and start focusing on yourself. You’re no better with yourself.
Cheers,
R-
Ridor?
Seriously, you’re saying I’m slandering you?? You’re the one who gave yourself that title. I’m sure a lot of people could vouch for me when I say you labeled yourself as a militant on your blog “ridorlive.com.”
Slander? I think not.
A protest, usually, is castrophic to the situation at hand. I’ve been bringing up the words “Board of Education” and “State of North Carolina,” and none of you seem to take these as important terms for this situation. What are their stance in this? Are they even aware of this situation? Seriously, you guys want to take over NCSD and bypass the state and its board of education??
Isn’t that extreme–especially when all other avenues has not yet been exhausted?
Der Sankt
The Board of Education does not handle NCSD and ENCSD. The Department of Health and Human Services do. The folks at NCSD did complain to the NCDHHS about the problems at NCSD. They did write letters. They contacted their legislators, they did everything possible — it was always referred to NCDHHS who in turn referred back to Dr. Lindsey!
THINK before you say things like that. When I talked about Dr. Lindsey’s failure to master the use of ASL in four years — in fact, she towed her interpreter around the campus — you were quick to mention that I, being a deaf militant, was complaining about the lack of ASL fluency on Lindsey’s part. The issue here should be about Dr. Lindsey’s performance, her failure in mastering ASL, the quality of Deaf Education at NCSD — not about me.
But you were able to skew it around and decry that deaf militants are at it again which is not true at all.
R-
Ridor,
I appreciate your feedback on my questions–Where is the proof of these “letter writing to legislators,” “NCDHHS referring things back to Dr. Lindsey?” You need to prove it, prove it, and prove it. Otherwise, all this is just talk, talk, and talk.
Your claim is that because someone is not fluent in ASL means they’re unfit to lead a school, a deaf school, that is? Quality of education? How much money is NCSD getting every year for their educational programs? Are the deaf teachers there really more qualified than the hearing teachers? Apparently, the teachers are at fault for not raising the educational standards in NCSD and I’m more than sure some of them are deaf…
So we should push the lousy deaf educators as well? Why does this protest seem to target only hearing personnel of NCSD? Rather than blaming the school as a WHOLE–you guys cry and say the hearing personnel is at blame…
So basically, in few words, you said: “she cannot administrate the school well because she’s not fluent in ASL. The OVERALL quality of education deteriorated because of THESE people alone, not the fault of the school as a whole.”
Seems more bullshit than not, to me.
Der Sankt
By the way, your lack of response to your labeling yourself as a deaf militant indicated that it is true; therefore, what I did was not slander.
This is amusing. This is the exact thing I expected from you, Ben. Always disruptive at its best.
Cheers,
R-
I stand corrected then.
*rolls up eyes*
Der Sankt
Der Sankt,
Have you been corresponding with the people in NCSD? It’s so obvious you have no friggin clue what went on down there and what approaches they have tried in the past. I don’t appreciate your assumption that I am ignorant of the affairs there, as unlike you, I’ve done my homework. I suggest you do the same.
I do have some concerns about the allegations of school officials destroying official documents and promoting inferior education because they think Deaf students are unworthy of education equal to their hearing peers afforded to them by the Constitution. If the students decide to speak aloud their grievances after being ignored by the administration repeatedly, then kudos to them.
Der Sankt,
Sure, You can correct whatever you wanted as idiotic person like government and bureaucracy system. No offend, you don’t not know the people’s experiences to deal with ignorant government system such as DHHS and VR. I don’t know how old you are but I guess you may be naive and passive. You remind me as myself when I was young and worked for government contract 10 years as excellence employment until I left the job for serious family emergency. My world turned upside down by ignorant people of NC state system. You don’t know the how government system works. I dealt with their igrnonat and bureaucracy about my employment and my background. Federal, State and corporations are cover thing up about the facts as stereotypical assumption about me and other deaf people. I assumed you know what is audism. Do your homework and research carefully!!!! Be careful what you said or you will regret if you lost your job and gone through HELL under the system like me. I know how deaf people felt and I do not care if they are using oral, cued, sign language or whatever you named the deaf languages. I looked at deaf people as equally and human being as hearing people.
Mishka,
Oh so, now, you’re mad. Now, let’s be honest here, I never said you were clueless. I’m sure you would be well aware of the progress NCSD has been going through in the past few months (if not years), like you said, yourself, “you’ve done your homework.” Then, prove it.
Where was the progress on NCSD’s movement against the administration noted? Where’s the proof of neglect by the state of North Carolina for the justification of the Deaf community’s involvement? As you noted in your comment, there are allegations of school officials destroying official documents and promoting inferior education because they think Deaf students are unworthy of education equal to their hearing peers, then, my dear Mishka, where are the numbers? Prove this–I’m sure it’s public.
Don’t shrink out on me in this one.
There must be documents proving that the administration did, indeed, “think” that deaf kids are unworthy of education. What is “inferior education?” Explain that to me, please. Also, what were the students’ grievances, exactly? At least, that is public information—honestly, I don’t understand it 100% clearly…
By the way, none of this is intended to be personal. I apologizing for saying you endorsed the protests. That was wrong of me.
Der Sankt
Anonymous,
You go through hell when you need government support services in any state, not just North Carolina.
I’m sorry about your experience. I believe that is more of a political thing than related to the NCSD situation. But, really, thank you for sharing
Der Sankt
Mishka,
By the way, have you read what Ridor said about the basis of the protest? Does it not sound too much like a “front” for not Deaf/ASL enough?
Der Sankt
Sankt, Mishkazena and Ridor in a communal slugfest…Unbelievable! Keep it up, I’m plugging in the popcorn maker! Don’t let me miss anything!
Seriously, people who prefer kids to accept substandard educational systems and wait it out till they graduate should be left alone to nurse their misconceptions. They are also exceptional people who have native gifts and are able to make an imperfect system work for them. However, it doesn’t work for the majority of the Deaf students.
Protest may be undignified but especially in last resort cases it has been known to work. If this trend hits enough schools for the deaf, we may finally get a decent education for most of us.
I am not mad, just somewhat disappointed at your approach, when you don’t know the whole story.
I’m not at liberty to reveal what I know as I promised the inside sources confidentiality. The state investigators are checking into circumstances surrounding this foiled protest as they are feeling the pressure from the media coverage of the protest. Prior to that, they were allegedly neglecting the affairs of this state school.
I happen to agree with you but probably on different ground. Everyone is quick to blame teachers, administrators and schools but seriously from what I have read, I have only one question, Where were the parents?
Several parents in the article states they have noted problems going on for years yet it seems they have not done anything more than just let their children languish is bad schools and let their children attempt to stage a copycat Gallaudet protest.
Parents need to get involved, if I had known there were problems at my child’s school, do you think Im going to wait and let the kids themselves resort to staging walk outs. No any sensible caring parents would get involved and get involved a long time ago.
The internet is a wonderful thing but this new social awareness via deaf-read is going to be our downfall.
Hey MishkaZena –
That is an interesting source. How can you get the confidentiality source? Through the connection via internet?
How can you involve the protest thing eventhough you were told to keep the confidential?
No, I haven’t read what Ridor wrote.
In my opinion, Der Sankt has a valid point here:
The deaf community needs to stop having protests backed up by vague reasons.
With the 1988 protest, it was not vague at all…”Deaf Prez Now”..simple..
With the BPN protest…it started out vague…but JKF made it worse that she just had to go in the end.
Now NCSD??? The only evidence I see is Ridor saying that Dr. Lindsey still needed an interpreter AFTER 4 years!!!!! That’s pretty bad by itself…but we need more…
Now I admit…like Der Sankt..I haven’t done my homework yet….so I have no idea…
Interesting debates. I see nothing wrong with the protest. In early 1970’s the students from Missouri School for Deaf did have the protest over the poorly education and grade system. I was there. We did walk out the classes till the talks settled down then went back in. The education and grade system did change in length time. Protest without the parents knowing. No punishments to the students because all students involved. I don’t recall if it published in newspaper or news. It was long time ago. Protest was worth for me.
bureanuts tend to drag their feet upon individual complaints. They will keep ignoring them or playing games with them. They hate Media and public protests because it forces them to act upon it. Without Media and protests, not much would ever be done. Media/protests could make differences. We need to keep plugging on our deaf issues. I think we are getting tired of their playing games with us. So it is only way we can do is act up. Are we stupid not to do anything about it at all? NO PAIN NO GAIN.
Where is our FREEDOM OF SPEECH? Deaf have right!
Dianrez,
LoL @ slugfest…
Mishka,
I understand that you are obligated to not reveal sources but what I asked of you was not inside information but rather, public ones: What are the students’ demands? What have they done in order to stave off protests? Surely, these are not confidential. Where is the proof of neglect? Dates documents were submitted and dates of nonresponsiveness (Now, I’m not asking for the documents…)? These things can put together a cohesive picture of the situation.
That’s not being provided here. I asked where is the progress of the students’ activities up to the planned protest noted? Surely again, that’s not confidential.
Der Sankt
Der Sankt,
Why do you think Deaf people should be colonialized to be “undignified” not to be able to speak up for their rights to have excellent education, teachers, language, etc?
Der Sankt, just because you have deaf parents doesn’t mean that you’re “God” and have the right to tell 90% of the deaf people that have hearing parents, that we should be colonialized and accept how we are being treated!
John
Lolypup,
I agree with you totally. This whole situation is sounding stranger and stranger…
White ghost,
You have a valid point there–how can the call for the support of the Deaf community’s involvement in the protest be met with inability to access information…
JJ,
Thanks for the input and backing me. I have been doing a lot of searching online and it appears that this is a new problem for the state. Mishka claims she has all this information but refuses to respond to my questions of public information…
Dennis,
This is not the 1970’s. The students are making outstanding allegations which requires serious state investigation. They want to put people out of a job…I’m not sure if the Deaf community should support that so quickly.
WhiteHulk,
Deaf people do have rights. There are procedures for doing things. You can’t expect them to happen right away. What I want to know is if the protest followed the right procedure.
was protest NECESSARY? there was NO OTHER choice?
Der Sankt
I have deaf kids go to ncsd. it is nt about the director both school and dorm not being deaf enough… it is more deep rooted. sexual abuse lying about grades letting staff work when they can’t even do the manual alphabets …. it goes on and on shredding legal documentations the list is long very long and ugly students fed up staff fed up teachers fed up parents fed up we all are trying to do something ncad and all
John,
What the hell does “colonized” mean? What the hell are you saying “need to speak up?” You’re not making sense here. Stop.
Breathe, okay, man.
This protest is targeted at hearing personnel. There’s a term called, “reverse-racism,” perhaps this sould be called “reverse-audism?” Like Lolypup said earlier, where are all the parents in this? Don’t you think it’s odd nobody other than the students are “speaking up?” Where is proof that NCSD’s education is inferior to general public schools?
My reference to my deaf family and schools was to a comment made saying I didn’t understand “oppression” of the Deaf community. I’m not telling you how to think. Support your protest, it’s your right.
It’s my right to think you’re stupid for that decision.
fair enough?
Der Sankt <– means “the saint” not “God,” by the way.
parent,
Ah, at last, a parent. So tell me, are you a parent of a child who was planning the protest?
No, seriously…Don’t answer that.
My question to you is: what have you done as a parent to improve the conditions of your children’s school? Did you write letters to representatives? Have you contacted NCDDHS? Did they respond? Have they neglected you?
Prove all this. Your just saying it happened does not mean it did.
Prove it.
Der Sankt
I agree, at this point, protest isn’t necessary. I can see possible valid reason for the discord in NCSD, however, there’s ways to get people listen and to get things done. Protest should be the very last resort. I have never heard of high school kids protesting except for this “Walk Out” in Cali back in…hmm not quite sure, maybe 50’s or 60’s? It’s becoming mudane to keep protesting over things that can be resolved in another manner. What’s going to happen is that no one is going to take any deaf person seriously if this happens too often.
Candy,
Thank you.
Der Sankt
Der Sankt,
You? A SAINT?….a saint? to whom?
You really seem like as if you are a clone of Mike McConnell’s philosophy group.
I pity you!
John,
That’s all you could argue with? My screenname and trying to “insult” me? Uhmm.
Thank you for proving to me that you are really stupid. At first it was an opinion…
Now, it seems like a fact.
Der Sankt
Der Sankt;
I’m frankly disappointed with your latest blog posting about the NCSD situation. I’m okay with them protesting; it appears they do have a valid issue to rally around, and a defensible one at that. Lastly, what do we have to lose in terms of image when it comes to protesting? I would say not a lot.
Secondly, I’m curious; are you or have you ever been a teacher?
Thirdly, I hope, in due time, the learning community at NCSD can come up with an equitable resolution to the issues which threaten its existence.
Der Sankt,
You can irrationalize all you want.
……….”Now, it seems like a fact”
The majority of us do pity you.
Oh, by the way, how old are you?
john
ME PARENT TOO. ME SAD WHY DEAF ALWAYS AGAINST DEAF WHO PROTEST?? WHY DEAF SAME YOU DER SANKT ALWAY CORRECT CORRECT SAY DEAF WRONG STUPID WRONG CANT CANT CANT??? YEARS YEARS GROW UP PEOPLE ALWAY SAY WE WRONG MUST GOOD HOLY GOOD NO DISAGREE WITH LOUSY TEACHER.
NOW YOU TALK SAME PEOPLE OPPRESS US WE GROW UP? WHY NOT SUPPORT DEAF STUDENTS? EASY SUPPORT TELL HOW DO RIGHT NOT CALL STUPID.
No worry, Der Sankt. If my philosophy on believing that technology is the key to help close the communication gap completely amongst each other and with deaf, hh and hearing people, whatever means it would require to make that work, then I guess that makes me a bad person…and a bad philosophy of mine to boot.
*hangs head in shame*
I’m with J.J. on this one. Seems like protesting has just now become vogue among some of those in the Deaf community over the past 12 months. What are they protesting about? Bad education or the low grades? Or both? Or the fact that one of the administrator can’t sign well enough? Did the administrator molest some kid and he/she is getting away with it? I’m hearing all kinds of stories here. Will NAD jump and join in the protest, too?
Cousin Vinny,
What is that defensible issue? That they want better education? Don’t we all…
No, I’m not a teacher and I don’t plan on being one.
So you’re saying that up to this point NCSD’s learning community couldn’t have done that without a protest? Prove it. Seriously, I’m getting tired of claims and claims without no proof.
Der Sankt
John,
STFU.
Der Sankt
parenttoo,
Okay, you hit a nerve here. Just because I don’t support your unfounded (as of this writing) protest does NOT mean I don’t support the Deaf community. I don’t agree with you and I will stand by it. It’s my right.
Decisions made by a community usually aren’t unanimous. If you want to say that I don’t support the Deaf community because I want the Deaf community to do things right then I should say you don’t support the Deaf community by destroying it with foolish decisions.
Fair?
Der Sankt
McConnell,
I’d rather be a clone to your philosophy group any day than to be a stupid Deaf militant.
Der Sankt
With that hostile attitude, what makes you think I’ll share any information with you? If you want to know, why don’t you check it out yourself instead of being too lazy and arrogantly DEMANDING the readers to give you the proof? Jumping on that poor parent makes you look bad, not that you care what people think of you. It looks like you want to have a good excuse to vent your anger at Deaf people. I won’t be back as this discourse isn’t productive at all
Mishka,
Then you have proven my point.
The next time you decide to pull a jihadist headliner against an administration of another poor Deaf school WITHOUT ANY PROOF WHATSOEVER, be sure I’ll be there to bite your ass.
Your credibility as a “neutral reporter” for the deaf community shot itself to hell.
Der Sankt
Lolypup: Excellent question! Actually, the majority of deaf children’s parents are hearing — they often dumped their children at deaf schools and expected the state to take care of their problems.
Only very few ones will attempt to organize and protest. Which is why very few parents are being proactive with this fiasco at NCSD.
Like MZ, I am not at liberty to share information but the point is that the students did not protest as if it was like flipping a hamburger! It was the last resort that they came to this — they did everything possible.
Ben, you never talked, contacted nor discussed with individuals involved with NCSD to determine the course of the action. You just pop in and whine about them acting up like brats. They were quite peaceful and patient for the last 3 years in dealing with the administration.
You can slam and berate people about procedures and all that — but that is all you can do, Ben. You tend to preach but never practice what you preach!
Cheers,
R-
Ridor,
You have a good point about hearing parents and yes I already know that but again you brought this up and thats good. I had hearing parents such was my faith and they were not involved in my education. This is my point it dosnt matter if your hearing or deaf, these are your kids.
Parents need to get involved! This is sad that parents hearing/deaf whatever are dumping their children off at deaf schools and expecting the deaf schools to raise and educate their children. You cant do that, if the school is not up to par then the parents need to step in and take action.
I think its admirable that High School kids are taking action into their own hands but at the same time I feel that High School kids should NOT be protesting, this is something that kids should not be dealing with. Where are the adults in this situation making sure that these kids are getting a quality education and that starts with the Parents.
But like Der Sankt has said, we have no idea whats going on here other than a staged attempt at a walk out and online accusations coming from all directions. Where is the proof that there are serious problems at this school.
Ridor,
Where’s proof?
Stop bullshitting around, you and MZ aren’t used to knuckleheads like me. When I want a question answered, I will keep at it until it is answered.
So far, no proof.
So, where is it?
I refuse to allow people like you and MZ rally for deaf community’s support without proof. That’s just wrong. If you have a personal vendetta, go at it yourself. If it’s harming the community, then prove it.
Der Sankt
Apparently, I can’t say this enough, I want proof!
Der Sankt,
your commet;
McConnell,
I’d rather be a clone to your philosophy group any day than to be a stupid Deaf militant.
Der Sankt
That explains it all about who you are.
no further comments
John
Yeah, I think sometimes we are going too far to the deep end. Look at the Tara story, a lot of people are jumping into this and not asking enough questions as to why she was kicked out from her home, being placed in a nursing home by DVR and etc…… And they want to take her out of the nursing home, how are they going to do that? What if Tara has some kind of hidden disability, her parents could no longer care for her at home, DVR is well aware of her needs and put her in a nursing home. Who in their right minds can dream that they can just walk in and take out a person from a nursing home??
I sincerely believe we need to ask questions, start locally, know where to bring concerns and to hold meetings to make our voices heard. Where was the PTA? At my children’s school, the PTA is very outspoken, they have monthly meetings and they discuss various things. And then there is the Board of Education.
How did Lindsay come in the picture? How was she hired? When she was first hired, if people didn’t like her, why did they wait so long and then let things explode right there.
Communication is the key.
John,
still no proof?
hahahahahaha.
Der Sankt
[...] of Deaf actions [some better than others]. Der Sankt is going to have to do better than this, Stupid = Deaf people??, cross posted at Stupid = Deaf People??if he wants to convince us of the veracity of this claim [...]
I have written a response on my blog, All The Young Dudes.
…a hearing supremacy! That’s who you are.
Der Sankt wrote;
What is that defensible issue? That they want better education? Don’t we all…
I refer to the issue of the director’s signing skills. If this is true, then this is a ‘defensible’ issue for the local learning community to rally around. Like you, I don’t know too much about the going-ons at NCSD, whether their education is good, whether their staff can communicate in sign language, etc.
IIRC, you have a certain degree of fluency in French. (My fluency in French is far, far less! But, I digress…) Out of all people, you should understand why it’s important for a director to have a certain degree of fluency in sign language when it comes to leading Deaf institutions.
I guess it all boils down to whether it’s an issue worth protesting about. I think it is, and the learning community there should have nipped this in the bud when the director in question was first hired. We all know the stories of administrators coming and going, and all the empty promises of learning ASL while on the job. This has to change; the Deaf students deserve no less.
Protests usually are the last resort when neogiation fails, oppression by hearing audist, dictionship-type control and blocking and refusal to listen that cannot be tolerant in today’s society, protests are the answer to the problem. It grabs attention to outside society what was happening inside.
I grew up in very strict Catholic deaf school and the nuns were audist looking down at me and using me as talking robots when hearing guests visited deaf schools. They always picked on me all the time because I was smartest and well spoken in entire class that they used me to show off hearing guests as the “model” to deaf children in school.
So, I lead the protest against this school for forcing oralism on children who are struggling to learn to speak and lipread but failed are getting punished.
Today this school has changed for better due to my protest back in 1971
So, it is perfectly LEGAL for children in schools to protest whether they are deaf or hearing. Its called freedom of speech in this free country. These kids learn lession from protest will become great future leaders in life.
Der Sankt,
Your last comment……………..
“John,
still no proof?
hahahahahaha.
Der Sankt”
You really already said it all. That’s the proof who you are.
You are so cloned by McConnell that you can’t be comprehended…..to know what had happened to yourself.
John
Ben, want the proof? Check the past issues of The Bugler, the independent NCSD Alumni Association publication which was filled with plenty of compliants and letters to NCDHHS about the conditions at NCSD in the last 3 years.
That, by itself, is proof enough. But again, knowing Ben, it is not enough … you just wanted to play with words to feel yourself above the rest.
Bleargh.
Cheers,
R-
Cousin Vinny,
You said: “I guess it all boils down to whether it’s an issue worth protesting about.” But you havent said a word about the legality of the protest. Were they neglected before the decision to protest was made? How about this: the first published information on this fiasco is on the 25th of this month.
Two days later, a near-protest takes place.
I find it hard to believe all avenues has been exhausted in two mere days. Protest all you want, but be sure it’s the truly last resort you have.
Der Sankt
Ridor,
Then why don’t you share with the rest of us your articles and letters? We’re all going to be appreciative of your efforts in making this fiasco a bit more clearer.
Der Sankt
Deb M.
How many teachers did your protest kick off? How many directors? Did the WHOLE deaf community help you out? Plus, this is not the 1970’s. The kids today are not hippies. There’s no flower power shitola going on.
Der Sankt
Der Sankt,
My family is deaf, my mother and father is deaf, all my brothers and sisters are deaf. I am more deaf family than you. And I am disappointed about you.
Who are you?
What happened to you?
Why do you think what you are?
Please tell me who you are. Why you think this way??
Are you “communicating” from your heart?
Or “Brainwashed” by people like what John say, McConnell?
Do you really know from your heart or what?
I really feel bad about this, I am from strong deaf family and you are too, but misguided?
by McConnell?
Shirley
Der Sankt,
You don’t need to sorry about my situation. I know all deaf people gone through the same issues as I do. I was reading all people’s comments recently. Stop killing each other over Deaf school issue. We are same deaf people as human being as equally.
To be honest, NC school situation was not hearing parent’s fault because hearing parents were REFERRED by Audiologist and Doctor to NC or any state deaf school programs. “Hearing” Deaf specialist with their “BS” philosophy about ASL, ORAL or CUED school programs like which one is the best suit for deaf child. Hearing parents were so naive to handle their deaf child.
I am former member of AGB! Doctor and Deaf specialist told my parent to send me to St Louis, MO for deaf oral program. They mentioned to my parent that St Louis was one of the best “Oral” program in the US. (Sarcastically) However, I took advantage of best education as learned about history and literature. I learned a lot of craps going on in the world such as Holocaust, Slaves, Czars, Oppression on Indians in America, etecera, you named it. I grew up in Washington DC area where my father worked for US government. I read Washington Post about all BS politics throughout Federal and State.
My theory, I think Deaf schools do not want Deaf children to learn all the craps about “hearing” messes as hearing people being so hypocrisy with any kind of issues. Deaf people are not the only people complained about school system. Hearing people complained about everything and got what they wanted, not us. But one day we will.
I am wondering anybody is from North Carolina? I guess not, some isn’t… I am from North Carolina and dealt with ignorant DHHS, CAP and VR for some years. I know all the top people names from DHHS to VR. I actually wrote a letter to NC State Legislatures, NC Senates and Governor. The result was zero. NC government simply ignored my concern about the system over deaf people. So I learned what NC government made of. I knew NC Board of Education will not do anything to resolve with NC School for the Deaf. I think NC Board of Education simply rather to sweep this messy “deaf thing” under the carpet like Deaf people don’t exist at all. They do not want to be humiliated front of Media, but too late. NC Board of Education knew their salaries were being paid by NC taxpayers, included dead people, smile.
I actually have a list of important people from NC.
Der Sankt –
MishkaZena still have not answered my questions.
What’s the point of her for vanishing the questions I asked. All she could not be the liberty legally when the state investigator stopped her. What’s the proof? None!
I got the full of the gists!
WG
ask me questions in my blog. As I said before, I will not continue the discourse here
Nah, I have the issues of The Bugler. You go and get it yourself. I simply dont have the time to type word for word and dig up the issues. What I see is enough for myself. You whine? You dig up for it.
R-
Der Sankt,
Seems about time to start feeling your heart about reality.
Yes, I know that you are from a deaf family but…. no one can be perfect.
Please don’t be dogmatic
McConnell is using you to glorified your “deaf identity” to confuse the Deaf community’s true intention to show the reality of the Deaf children’s need to have a good education and natural language to use…to learn how to learn.
Please wake up and understand this concept to achieve harmony for deaf babies and children in schools to learn toward success.
John
White Ghost,
No one can have access to anything confidential about the NCSD whose entrance is barricaded unless an individual is a parent of a student of the said school, a reporter or a journalist with a license issued by any newspaper, or an officer that is affiliated with the State, the Board of Education.
lol there’s no way anyone can brainwash anyone online, unless, one is already…hmmm maybe I shouldn’t say it.
I’m seeing lots of contrasting comments here by others that disagrees with Der Sankt.
Like being from deaf family is supposed to make them all bond over one issue? One size fits all? Jeez I’m from a deaf family too and I have my own opinions, influenced by no one but except facts looking straight at me.
Der Sankt obviously has his own opinion, his being from deaf family shouldn’t have a bearing on anything. And, that is the way it should be.
Candy,
You are anonymous to all of us from the area of West Point, Wisconsin.
How should we believe if you do have a deaf family?
Who are you?
Are you reliable?
I couldn’t care less whether you believe if I am from a deaf family or not, John.
I’m only interested in facts both incoming and outgoing. Whether you believe me or not is no skin off my back.
So, do you actually think all deaf family really do agree with all deaf family because of the fact that they are from deaf family regardless of their views on any issues?
Think again.
Exactly right… Candy. We are simply same deaf people as human being with different opinions. I don’t care if we are raised by deaf or hearing family. Issues don’t make any difference if we raised by deaf or hearing. Are we raised by Republicans or Democrats or Hippies family? (I am just making sarcastically)
Candy,
So you are not from a deaf family
so your credibility what you say was a lie.
Nonetheless, I am not from a deaf family but I married to a deaf family and learned a lot.
Ii is all about intigerty
Again, You are not a reliable person and we should be aware of that.
John
John, You shouldn’t say things about people you know nothing about.
Kind of makes you look stupid, ya know.
Sankt,
You are being deliberately inflammatory. If the students were worked up enough to want to protest on their own, then it is permissible to assume that the administration is doing something really wrong. Due to the history of oppression in deaf education, the benefit of the doubt goes to the students.
MishkaZena did nothing wrong. She never pretended to be an impartial observer. She is obviously a partisan, and there is nothing wrong with that at all.
You are the person who has lost his credibility. Not anyone else.
Candy,
Proof it to me that I am stupid. Who are you?
My reponse
I mean my response in comment box at “all the young dudes” s blog.
Right now the rumor mill is at full speed and along with it, the mudslinging.
There are always two sides to every story, folks, and right now we’re hearing just the students/parents’ side, just one side here. No one wants to know what the other side’s story is because it’s *gasp* the educators, the state education board, the teachers—-the, oh, goodness’ sakes’ alive!!! it’s the audists’ side, the oppressor’s side!!!! And nobody wants to hear that side, oh, golly. Those audists are good as lynched before they got a chance to say anything. Convicted and pronounced guilty before a trial even, before proof is provided. Just what if the situation turns out to be a totally different scenario, far from what people have jumped to conclusions about?
What does that makes us d/Deaf? A lynch mob with an angry mob mentality? Well, stupid, maybe. Der Sankt may have a point here about substantiating a charge with proof before pointing fingers. Don’t take me wrong, I know that Deaf education standards need to be improved towards better expectations for the children, but fingering people right and left does little to rectify this situation. Passing the blame game again isn’t doing our public image much good. And I’m not saying that we should act like meek goody-two-shoe’s and wait for the other shoe to drop, but that we act to seek information first before forming opinions on what happened at NCSD.
And this time focus on the topic instead of attacking the blogger of the article or other commenters. If we claim to be intelligent d/Deaf people, then please rise to the occasion and refrain from personal attacks.
Fascinating.
My eyebrows were raised at mudsludging. All crying over who is not Deaf enough, attacking for being brainwashed (colonized), etc. Pfft. Ann-C’s comment said it clearly.
Well, I am waiting for more information to come out…so that I could have a better picture of why, how, what, when, etc. for the crisis at NCSC. If it is in any way closer to being closed, higher percentage of graduating students not going to colleges, etc., then yes, I’d be concerned about it. You know what, my daughter’s supervising teacher used to teach at NCSD before moving to Indiana to be a principal of the elementary school, so I will ask her if she know any thing about it.
I remember the Saint could talk verbally and he is proud of it. He labeled himself as the Saint therefore Ben is Der Sankt of Hearing Supremacy. Actually he is more of a dolt than the Saint.
Back to your topic of this post, Deaf=Stupid?? We all know you are deaf and stupid, you give this label to yourself, not us. 
No my two girls are too young but I am fighting long and hard for their education. Telling the top dogs everyone that it needs to be changed. Today we will have a meeting with the top dog from Raliegh and yes i am going to that meeting.
You don’t know the full stories and how much the teachers staff and whoever was involved tried so hard to tell the top dogs in Raliegh but they do nothing!!
They tried and tried many meetings and meetings human right committee was a joke everything was just hearingized they weren’t concerned about the childrens education only landscapping of how many trees were chopped down and finding funds to replace the trees. Not once talked about how to improve our children education and get this. all hearing one Deaf on committee and i was nominated but they balked because they don’t want dirty secrets or challenged their systems.
So you don’t know and you are a crab pulling us deaf community down!!!
Parent,
I am very pleased to hear that you will be at the meeting today. Students need parents like you to speak up! Be strong! Tell Dwight to ask Dr. LL to resign immediately or suspend her till further investiage are done because what she and other “hearing” staffs did to the kids on Sunday is not RIGHT! We the outsiders and staffs are not allow in the meeting today!
Thank you for standing up for our kids! BE STRONG! Don’t let them let this go this time! This has gone on too long!!!! Enough is Enough!
THank you!
Not to discredit anyone or anything here, but, reality is we need to hear all sides. I’m not seeing or hearing every side yet. Everyone knows that anything that hits home, usually people respond with heartfelt emotions, and that, sometimes can get in the way of rationality.
Like for example title of this post. Obviously it’s an attention grabber. We all know better that deaf people does not equal stupid people. But, like it or not, there are stupid people in this world and there are just as much stupid hearing people as there are deaf people. To me, this post is all about protest being “stupid” at this point. That, is just my view.
Instead of jumping the gun, one needs to provide facts from both sides. Until then, my views are based on what I’m seeing thus far.
I have heard many many many many stories about ncsd before my own children went in. I heard many many many insults from people why i let kids in school. I am fighting for their rights and future. I heard both side so enough is enough.
You want to hear both sides. You have heard our side. I want you to call Dr. Lindsey and get her side of the story. She will spend at least 30 minutes on how beautiful the trees are! She can never stay to the point if you ask her anything about the school education. The conversation will at least have “trees” in it!!!
After you talk to Dr. Linsdsey, please post!!!!
I am just tired of people calling each other “stupid” over protest on this blog. Parents and I know how things work at NC DHHS and VR system. Beleive me, Nc school issue will fade away slowly and disappear as Board of Education will cover it up.
Parents, Parents, and Parents,
Use your names. If you’re going to be bold enough to go public with this information–especially Raleigh and all. Use your names or I will not respond to you.
Also, if you have done prior action against the school (that is public information) show them. Claims are joke. I want evidence. More than 24 hours has passed since I wrote the post and not a single shred of evidence? Hah please.
I want the minutes of the Human Rights committee meetings. Where did you participate in one? Who was in charge? Information, information, mes cheres…
Information, some fucking information please.
One of the parents said: “I have heard many many many many stories about ncsd before my own children went in. I heard many many many insults from people why i let kids in school. I am fighting for their rights and future. I heard both side so enough is enough.”
So, you knew and STILL sent your kids there?
Not my fucking problem. Get over your bad decisions and start making right ones. I would NEVER send my ki to a school knowing fully well that their education was not up to par. As a parent, you are responsible for the decisions you make for your child–you want your child in a bad school then cry “bloody murder” when the school proves itself to be bad?