Unity means showing mutual “respect.” Live and let live.
Transcript:
Hi. A friend of mine told me, “Go take a walk. Clear your head. Breathe.” So, I did.
As I was walking along, I was mulling things over, pondering on what’s been happening on DeafRead, DeafVIDEO.TV and over at Deaf Village. There’s been ongoing disputes and everyone seems to disagree with one another. Hmmmm….
Again, I would like to share my opinion.
One group says, “Hey, respect us! Give us captions. We want to read because we don’t know ASL. It’s too hard to learn ASL. We prefer captions in English, please.”
The other group says, “Hey, we don’t want to translate our ASL into English! It’s hard and a waste of time. We prefer ASL. Please learn ASL for us, or be on your way.”
Hmmm.. I think UNITY is not about being the same. Rather, it’s about MUTUAL RESPECT. One group needs this. The other group needs that. But we can’t force each other to do what we want.
My point? Respect each other for who we are.
You need captions? great! Go and caption away!
You need ASL? Cool! Rock on! Go for it! Sign away!
But require and demand that each group give the other what they want? It’s ridiculous.
Simply understand that there are 2 separate philosophies here.
These people want to hear. They want to read. They want to follow English. That’s their right. That’s their truth!
These people want ASL! They want to see. They cherish their language and their culture. This is their right. It’s their truth!
So, why must we require, force or demand that we must follow each other’s path?
Uh-uh. Wait! Hold on.
My personal opinion? Live and let live. Show each other some respect.
If these people want to caption, more power to you! Go for it! But understand, not everyone will be involved with your endeavor.
If you people want to use the visual language of ASL, cool! Go ahead! But realize that not all people will join you.
LET IT BE! Let it be.
That’s my opinion.
(Bye ILY wave)
Namaste, LaRonda!
You just echoed my feelings about this as I feel the two beautiful communities, DeafRead and DeafVillage can learn a lot from each other.
Laissez faire, folks. Enjoy the joie de vivre of everything instead of focusing on the small details.
95% of what we learn comes through our ears and eyes. Imagine the challenges those with deafblindness face. I enjoy my challenges as it makes me into a stronger person.
I once asked as a personal favour to vloggers for subtitles and I especially emphasized it was a personal choice. I did not want to obligate anyone and I definitely learned how apathetic some vloggers could be. I respected their choices and wishes because it is how two-way respect is supposed to be.
It is just so sad to see how some vloggers go all the way to show their distaste for an entity that is not going to affect them. Mockery will not get them far only to show their true colours. Quite sad in my opinion.
I thank you so much, LaRonda, for this beautiful and enlightening vlog to start my day. Namaste, my beautiful friend.
Tactile smile with love,
Patty oxox
Left by Patty- DeafBlind'sMusing on June 19th, 2008
I totally get you and stand to support by that.. Let it be.. I firmly believe it should be an option to chose to caption or not.. Not by force of others.. When people demand of others. Mandatory is not really right cuz it is freedom of choice what you want with your own blogs/vlogs..
Left by Fairlady on June 19th, 2008
Well said!
Left by valerie on June 19th, 2008
Deaf Village the new website are brainwash and yet are hearing! Deafread and DV/TV are truly deaf culture that hearing and deaf respect each other thru ASL. Big different just like bad apple and sweet orange!
I don’t mind
Left by Steve on June 19th, 2008
Nice, LaRonda. You’re right. Love the ILY wave!
Left by Don Grushkin on June 19th, 2008
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Left by Judge on June 19th, 2008
great vlog !!!!! Let it be !!!!! let it be !!!!
Left by bluesky on June 19th, 2008
Intelligent post. There’s way too much you must do this, and ultimately leads to a lack of respect for diversity.
There’s other issues I have with aggregators dictating content of blogs (which should be independent) but that’s another issue.
Left by Alison on June 19th, 2008
Republicans Vs. Democrats
It’s dilemma.
Live with it.
Let it be.
This is America.
Left by White Ghost on June 19th, 2008
When I find myself in times of trouble, mother Mary comes to me,
speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
And in my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me,
speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be.
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.
And when the broken hearted people living in the world agree,
there will be an answer, let it be.
For though they may be parted there is still a chance that they will see,
there will be an answer. let it be.
Let it be, let it be, …..
And when the night is cloudy, there is still a light, that shines on me,
shine until tomorrow, let it be.
I wake up to the sound of music, mother Mary comes to me,
speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
Let it be, let it be, …..
*The Beatles*
Left by Jeffrey on June 19th, 2008
Beautiful friend,
One of your vlogs you made …
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flQsVsfReGA
Right on the nose.
Embrace each other. Love each other.
Namaste beautiful friend.
Left by Patty- DeafBlind'sMusing on June 19th, 2008
Beautiful topic ..I love your vblog in every minute.. I can see that you are beautiful with inside and outside .. Awesome You are very bright smile lady god bless you
Left by Kimberley Cook on June 19th, 2008
Yes We should respect each other. Unfortunately, please don;t forget that the Deafread guideline for the captioning is an OPTION as opposed to the Deaf Village’s captioning guideline is a MANDATORY I agreed with Judge’s commentary that we are living in democracy where we are free to choose.
Left by David Ennis on June 19th, 2008
You said it beautifully. Let it be!
Left by B on June 19th, 2008
Jeff, beautiful comment!
LaRonda, need we say more? Let it be!
Shelley
Left by Shelley Potma on June 19th, 2008
Yup, that is why I hardly bother with deaf aggregators… we all need to lighten up, not to take things too seriously, stop calling each other names (oranges, lemons, deficit thinkers, etc.) We are not that bad so we need to stop trying to prove to other people that we are better than others.
We all have our own opinions. If one does not agree, leave it be. That is what I do mostly anyway.
Life is too short to carry grudges.
Left by Karen Mayes on June 19th, 2008
This is a true solution! We are our freedom to have our choices what we can do and how we can do. We can’t please everyone but we know who will not read or read. We don’t have any controls what the world is doing us! You ROCKS!
Left by Dennis on June 19th, 2008
Hi, LaRonda,
Yes, I like that. The freedom of speech. We shall remind this ourselves. It is like New York newspaper and Detroit newspaper..it is all based on the preference of an individual.
Take care, lady!
Left by deafk on June 19th, 2008
Comment »
Left by Jon Savage on June 20th, 2008
I always appreciate whenever someone attempts to UNITE folks rather than divide folks by promoting the fact that there is room in this world to “fit” ALL of us. While we all may “belong” in certain “groups” or “categories”, we all belong in this world, so we must be mindful that others belong here too.
What do I mean? Well, there is certainly more room for more ACCEPTANCE (and respect) of one another (that includes for those who are not exactly like us); there is enough room in this world for everyone of us regardless of our preferences.
There is enough room in this world for captions for those who want/need it just as there is room for those who don’t; there is room in this world for those who use ASL (and other types of sign language too), just as there is room for those who don’t sign; there is room for those who use hearing aids or have cochlear implants, just as there is room for those who have neither; there is room for those who speak and/or lip read just as there is room for those who don’t or choose not to. The list can go on…..
There is room in this huge world for those who want/need to use a combination of any or all the aforementioned without feeling attacked or vilified by their “community” or the need to explain or justify their “preferences” or needs.
Some people desperately want to learn ASL but for whatever reasons beyond their control, they are unable to; there are many reasons why some people don’t know ASL or can’t learn it and lack of interest is not always the case. Some people struggle to learn English and some don’t have an interest in learning English. Neither should be attacked.
Why can’t folks have their self pride without alienating others? It is a waste of energy; unnecessary; unproductive and creates division, separation, segregation, even hate among some people. Regardless of whether it concerns hearing, not hearing or with some hearing; or if it concerns race, gender, religion, etc. why do some people feel compelled to decide for others by unfairly imposing their views on another persons life (which usually manifests itself by excluding and alienating and ostracizing others; essentially, that is discrimination too). Mind you, some folks doing the hating and discriminating of some others often complain about being excluded, etc. themselves!
What a sad, pathetic and vicious cycle; we seem to circle around each other like hungry sharks ready to devour and attack someone who doesn’t look, act, do, feel, exactly the way WE want them to. It’s a sad commentary on our society as a whole, but it should be particularly shameful to those of us with any degree of hearing loss. Let’s end this vicious cycle now.
Wouldn’t someone feel ridiculous if they unfairly judged that person in a hostile manner later to discover that the reason the other person doesn’t know ASL is not because they don’t want to learn but maybe their hands don’t allow them to (that’s just one example.) What about someone with arthritis or some disability in their arms, hands, wrist, etc? Logic will tell anyone that will any difficulties with using one’s hands, fingers, wrist, arms, etc will possibly if not definitely interfere with someone’s ability to use their hands, including signing. Since sign language, including ASL strictly uses the hands, what about those with no hands or arms for example? Are they shunned because they can’t “sign” do to their lack of limbs? I sure hope not!
What happens to those who do sign but lose their ability to use their hands later? Are they then ignored, ostracized because of something that they cannot help despite the fact that they were a part of the community and culture? What about those who lost both their vision and hearing later in life (or before they developed signing skills)? Are they ignored and blamed for not knowing sign?
I agree that we all should “let it be” because harshly and unfairly MISjudging someone in any situation should make any of us feel shame.
Why are so many people so hostile to others (people they don’t know), especially when the others are not interfering with their lives? Why do so many people expend great but unnecessary energy to interfere with other’s lives in ways that are not to help but to hurt them (i.e. to deprive them of their rights, “voice” (as in beliefs, opinions) or choice).
No one wants someone else to judge them and then dictate to them what they need or don’t need. Let’s practice respect by NOT dictating to others what WE want them to have (or rather, don’t want them to have) despite what they want and need. If forcing others to take what we want them to have is not beneficial to them, how does that improve society, promote unity and respect among one another? It doesn’t because when we do that, it is cruel, dismissive and disrespectful; it’s not conducive to promoting unity or respect amongst any groups (or in any situation).
Let it be for others to decide what is best for themselves without alienating them. Let it be to decide what is best for ourselves without alienating anyone else. If we respect others and their rights, we can expect them to do the same for us; if we disrespect others and deny them their rights, muffle their “voices” and stifle their choices, we are the problem, not the solution.
I think that a person cannot truly be a “proud” person if they expend enormous energy interfering with others freedom of choice, decisions, etc. Proud folks often carry dignity; that should promote, not stifle unity.
So let’s be deaf/Deaf, hard of hearing or whatever label you prefer and proud but we better make sure we act like dignified, proud folks too. One way to test that “pride” is how we treat all people, particularly, each other.
Let’s all be careful how we treat one another………this world is big enough for all of us; so for the sake of unity (respect of one another), let it be. Please, let other’s make the choices that they can and need to make for themselves. After all, none of us would want anyone to impose their beliefs on us and interfere with our choices, do we?
To ALL: Peace……Namaste…..
Left by Learning ASL on June 20th, 2008
LaRonda,
AMEN!!! Bless your Heart … I’ve admired you from afar that your words and wisdom is touched deeply still and always will..
As there’s no right or wrong how we should live or whatever it’s up to the individual whatever he/she wants “Be it”. Don’t need to put more fuel into the fire. Life’s too short, look at IRAQ, our troops are fighting for their lives for both of our countries, is this worth fighting over what’s right or wrong in the deaf community?? NOT!!! Unity, Respect, Acceptance no matter who you are or what you do or what you don’t/do have, life would be easier for everyone and there’s more choices for everyone. PEACE chanting “Allow it to be easy”
Namaste,
Susan (Ontario, Canada)
Live, Love, Laugh..
Left by Susan on June 21st, 2008
Thanks again for transcribing. Also I want to say I love watching you sign because you’re so easy to follow. Anyway I agree. It’s good that we have two different aggregators–each helps deaf/Deaf people. That’s the main thing. Those of us in DeafVillage who need the captions or transcriptions should be happy that some are willing to caption for us. Those in DeafRead who don’t want to caption shouldn’t feel bad. We all have different needs and make different choices for ourselves and others.
Thanks,
Kim
Left by kim on June 24th, 2008
Laronda:
It sounds like a band that everyone is up for change but it everyone listening to one another? I was in the school orchestra and i have played in many bands and everyone sounded just like this…. the flutes were complaining that the drums were too loud, the trumpets were complaning that the bass was too loud, the singers were complaing that the trumpets were too loud and so on I think you get my point. Everyone was up for change but was everyone listening to one another. that maybe instead of trying to play over one another play to where we can each other. Yes we all didn’t choose to be hearing or Deaf… but we all think different. ASL has a hidden message just as liteature does. If we can’t communicate with one another than how do we accomadte each others needs? How do we get our word acros? keeping our languages to ourselves does not open up a door for others to hear/read.
Left by Kay on June 25th, 2008