Solidarity

"we have not abandoned the gun, we have recognized the importance of the hammer to build. we must build educational facilities. we must build medical facilities. and we must keep our guns within reach to defend our right to build." -Bobby Seale- What is our “gun”? The very object that you guys name it as “militant.” Whatever that is to you, Militant, ok so be it. The actual thing is solidarity. As Bobby Seale said, “You don’t fight racism with racism, the best way to fight racism is with Solidarity,” and to unite a group with similar beliefs, those who disagree with the beliefs just cannot be a part of the group. Right now, Deaf people are as invisible as Ralph Ellison was, “I am invisible, understand, simply because people refuse to see me.” From my experience, in public places (Universities, friends, most hearing people I’ve met), “so you don’t want to hear at all?” “yes that is right,” I answer. “I heard there is something about being able to hear with Cochlear Implants, don’t you want to have that?” “No. I am happy with how I am. I love my language, I love my people and the culture we have.” This always happens every time I meet a hearing person. They are always astonished with how happy I am with simply Deaf. That shows how invisible we –still are- I say invisible because even though Black people were visible in public -their dreams and desires were as human as the whites - they remained invisible, meaning, lower and ignored. Similarly, Deaf people who sign in public, they aren’t understood as a people of their own with a culture. Sympathies grow for them. When I was a student at University of Nevada, my professors learned so much about Deaf culture and they grew immense respect for Deaf people. Many “Thank you,” came as they learned and understood. Seeds, gotta spread the seeds for as long as it takes to complete this building. Now, with solidarity, to quote H.G. Wells, "A downtrodden class ... will never be able to make an effective protest until it achieves solidarity." What do we do to unite? CI and Deaf (Militants if you prefer). What is our similar purpose, interest and sympathies? (Remember the Black people I mentioned here are from the 40s or 60s not the present day.)