Just found out about the coming of Deafside. I do not think this is a good idea. It smacks of giving in to the ASL-only demands of certain readers of Deafread.
Isn't it enough that Deafread has added a "customize" feature? What about subscribing to preferred blogs via a RSS reader? Firefox has a built-in RSS reader.
Furthermore, it further divides the deaf community which is divided enough already! If you are going to have an ASL-only aggreggator, then what about a cued-speech only aggregator? a cochlear implant aggregator? an auditory-verbal aggregator? an interpreting aggregator? a deaf education aggregator? a parenting aggregator? a signed english aggregator?
This is a "dangerous" slide. Give in to the ASL-only demands for a "safe" place, and soon you will be dealing with demands for other specialized aggregators. There is a reason blogs have tagging ability! Tags let you view only blogs that relate to your preferred topic. DeafRead could accomplish much the same by creating tags that say "ASL," "Auditory-Verbal," "Cochlear Implant," "Hearing Aid," "Captioning," and so on.
Expanding the use of tags on Deafread would also prevent confusion among those who don't fit neatly into categories. What about an ASL-using cochlear implantee? What about a cued speech user who also uses ASL? What about an auditory-verbal child whose parents are secretly learning ASL on the side? What about a deaf education teacher who teaches bilingually and has students with both cochlear implants and hearing aids?
Deaf people are humans with many varied facets. Don't divide us further.
Jamie Berke
an ASL-using Cochlear Implantee with Oral Skills
Friday, April 25, 2008
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20 comments:
Well said. I have noticed that the sites that get the most hits are the controversial ones. I have to wonder how popular the ASL site will actually be. Opposing views create food for thought, and there will be no opposing views there. I guess if all you want is agreement and you don't want to help mold the future, have fun.
Good posting Jamie,
Valerie, deaf, learning ASL, bilateral cochlear implants and oral
Jamie,
How can you not see that there is a NEED to be left alone as it is?
We HAD DeafRead.
DeafRead was fair and welcomed all walks of deaf people.
Then there was:
Talk of Cochlear Implants...
Talk of Speech Training...
Talk of Hearing Aids...
For many of us,..the above only failed us or misled us.
As a result, Deaf people, myself included, have become disgusted with the continued appearance of the pathological point of view of our true identities.
Disgusted with the reminder of bitter experiences.
Disgusted with the continued arrogance on the part of the system that continues to deny the Deaf the opportunity to exist as a cultural entity, and BE LEFT ALONE.
Sure, if people want to get implants, fine.
If people want to talk about speech therapy, fine.
If people want to discuss the various methods of educating deaf children, fine.
DeafRead has become the place for everyone.
DeafSide could be a place for us to go to should we wish to avoid those heavy reminders and celebrate our true selves with a language that unites us.
If you think its okay to tolerate these reminders, then perhaps, you feel little for the children to come who WILL not be successful.
I can almost assure you that sign language, ASL in my case, is almost guaran-damn-teed to provide access to any language.
The only problem is that hearing corporations don't want to empower deaf people, they want to maintain that deaf people be dependent consumers of the hoo devices that they sell.
In order to do that, they show up and stick their noses in all the wrong places.
When we start to pick at their noses and expose all the boogers, they cry foul.
The truth is, with a lot deaf people, they find sign language to enable them to comfortably be.
Remember, this isn't just me, this is every Deaf person that isn't comfortable to write in English.
For should they attempt to do so, they get ridiculed for it by the very people they're trying to share ideas with in hopes to educate.
So they say nothing and then those success stories keep terrified parents at ease knowing there is a "way" to solve the problem.
Maybe deep inside, you really understand but can't bring yourself to say so, because after all, puppetry becomes a habit.
I would know.
Anyhow,..those there words, are my sentiments, and only that. This is not an attack of any kind.
Thank you.
Jeffrey
Jeffery,
After I read your comment, I just realized what had been bothering me. U just hit the nail on the head...everytime I read about speech therapy, I am reminded of my bitter memories of endless hours of speech therapy and the therapists yelling at me for not pronouncing some words correctly.
Jamie,
Jared and Tayler are not God.
You can be a God and create your own aggregator.
Just why Jared and Tayler have to do everything for you, us, them or whomever.
Show me what you are capable of besides demanding just like those that you are complaining about.
Just Do It
John
just one thing, Jamie, it's not ASL-ONLY site. It's open to all natural sign languages used in the Deaf community where the Deaf people do not resolve their lives solely based on pathological perspective.
Its funny - the ASL-only community are usually the FIRST to start complaining "They don't understand us!!" and yet, instead of showing that they are open minded, and willing to prove to the world that there are so many different flavors of deafness, they chose to go back to segregating themselves against every single community that doesn't jive with their own self-centered philosophies. Epic fail.
Shel90,
Yeah, It ain't no lie!
I same to Jarrod he wouldn't print it ! Itis a huge retrograde step for the ASL and cultural deaf to retreat into enclaved blogging aggregates, and only those decided upon via a 'panel' this is MODERATION, it is CENSORSHIP too, let's not dress this up as some academic thing for ASL purists and such.
Having put an option to 'Read only what you want' (We do this anyway !), you have to ask if cultural deaf have been defeated and sidelined by default, and this is a knee-jerk reaction.
This is test time to see if the cultural and signing deaf can hold their own, deaf.read is saying it can't, it needs sidelining, needs protection, needs a corner to hide in.
It is a defeat for deaf.read who set this aggreghate up as an 'melting pot' of all with deafness and loss, now iot is reverting to the 'Deaf-Only' stance, that (In the UK anyway totally failed),because there is no-one there to discuss issues of relevance with the worlds outside and indeed other deaf people, because the mods of old, banned them entering,or, banned them as soon as they started putting their points.
Back to the future... NOT! HOW will they encourage (A) People to learn sign and (B) Accept their culture ? if they are locking out other deaf people ?
i dont think it is an issue of segregation.
its more about being selective...
there is some crap i dont care to read about.
i dont read every magazine for that reason.
opposing views is one thing, slanted magazines is another.
to each thine own-
K.L.- to clarify, the most popular blogs/vlogs on DeafRead are not "controversial". Just take a look at the Top 10 of the past 90 days and you'll see...
#1- Joey Baer's vlog "Secluded"
#2- NAD responds to AG Bell
#3- DBC official announcement
#4- Jack Barr's vlog on DBC
#5- Joey Baer's vlog on DPN20
#6- Tar's vlog on Marlee Matlin
#7- Joey Baer's Superbowl vlog
#8- Patti Durr's Deafhood vlog (Pat Graybill)
#9- ASL Students from University
#10- DBC thanks PepsiCo...
I would say they are, for the large part, ASL-oriented. Controversial? No- maybe to a few. K.L.- can you please explain your comment that the most popular ones are "controversial"?
Thank you.
Annoymous,
I disagree with you. Many of us grew up being discriminated against, being measured against our hearing peers, and now we are reading blogs from certain people on how ASL is not needed. What's wrong with wanting a place to go to where we dont have to worry about other people putting down ASL and the Deaf community?
I agree that those bloggers are entitled to their opinions but it gets pretty tiresome to have to constantly defend or justify ASL.
I grew up oral without ASL but I dont come in here telling people how being oral gave me more opportunities and blah blah. No, I come in here and respect ASL and Deaf culture.
I'm on the side that prefers to have an ASL site that examines its various aspects. We can keep DeafRead and its general nature, but this is a fine, cultural thing that can be lost in it.
Teri's vlog today is an excellent example of this. An ASL site will concentrate material of this type and become a valuable resource for students, analysts and plain old appreciation of Deaf Culture.
I initially agreed with your post, especially because you asked what about a cuer who also signs? And that is what I am, and there's many others who blur the definition of what the deaf side of life is.
But I do agree with a couple of your other commenters who note that an all-inclusive deafread had suddenly become an arena where people's viewpoints were contested based on pathologization. I got tired of reading DeafRead for this reason, and this, I suspect, is part of the reason for DeafSide.
That said, I do share your concern that it seems exclusive. And I do not like the name either, because of its implications. I wonder whether Jared and Tayler would be willing to consider a clarification and perhaps even a re-formulation. While I see a need for a place for discussion where we are safe from pathological and colonizing viewpoints, I don't think we need to do it by drawing identity and language lines in the sand. I'm not sure how easy that is in the end, though.
I think Deafread itself has become somewhat divisive. I'm tired of reading posts from people who claim they "can communicate with the wider population" or that Deaf people need to "be free from the dependency culture thats slowed down it's member's independence" and other such statements. I don't know how to use the customize feature, nor how to use tags. I suspect there are many others in the same boat. Perhaps you can do a blog on how to use these items to improve on deafread? I think the only things we are trying to divide are those with a good attitude, vs. those with a bad attitude.
The deaf community is getting to be like the 'dont tread on me' snake and DBC is already doing good cutting it up to smaller pieces.
The most arrogant thing I've ever heard from AVT-CIers is that they call Deaf people "not normal." It's they who still need CART! ;-/
AVT-CIers can set up an aggregator of their own sponsored by CI Corporates and AGBAD and leave culturally Deaf people alone!
Dianrez, I agree with your comment. When I came to Deafread almost 2 years ago, I was delighted to have the opportunity to discuss ASL, Deaf culture and all that entails. In the past few months I have been disheartened to find that discussions regarding ASL and Deaf culture reduced to defending the raison d'etre of both. Attempts to educate those who look down on the Deaf and ASL, have been frustrating.
I look forward to going to a place where cultural and linguistic discussions will ensue, along with political discussions and humour. (I miss John Lestina)
Therein lies the way to the intellectual "renaissance" of Deaf Culture and language. I really should blog on this before I go on and on... I hope you get the point.
Shelley
*sigh* Jamie, this ASL-only thing is a myth. We're not advocating for that at all. We want a bilingual community that celebrates and cherishes both languages. Please don't buy into the myth that some would have you believe. Thank you.
I am wondering how well Deafside will turn out. If Taylor did not go through with one, I am sure some other entrepreneur would have come up with an idea.
I am keeping a neutral opinion until the unveiling.
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