STOP THE INSANITY!

In the last few weeks, I have become increasingly dismayed at the level of discourse that is showing up on DeafRead.  I am very concerned for the future of the Deaf Community, and in the video, I will show you what will happen.

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41 Responses so far »

  1. 1

    sarah said,

    July 13, 2008 @ 9:24 pm

    YES PLEASE….. Look at what one man (dr hocokan/Barry) on a rampage can do? Seems fishy to me…. DBC keep on with your mission.. You rock!!

  2. 2

    Dan said,

    July 13, 2008 @ 9:28 pm

    Wow. KILL JOY!

    You are one who started it and the insanity. You deserved it.

    You need to learn how to get rid of being DEAFHOOD CULT and AGEISM and keep yourself PEACE.

    Take care of your heart. Good luck.

  3. 3

    Candy said,

    July 13, 2008 @ 9:29 pm

    This will keep going until everyone is accountable for their actions.

    Ella, DE, Tammi, David, Barb, (miss anyone?) needs to come out and say something.

    It’s simple as that.

  4. 4

    Brian Riley said,

    July 13, 2008 @ 9:34 pm

    Thank you, Don!

  5. 5

    DrDonG said,

    July 13, 2008 @ 9:45 pm

    Dan,

    I deleted a comment from you from the last vlog because you engaged in incredibly childish taunting… saying I look like a nerd, among other things. I did you a favor by deleting it… I wish I’d left it so people could see that YOU, and others like YOU, are the ones who are truly starting it. I gave you MUCH more respect than YOU and your cronies did!

  6. 6

    Venz said,

    July 13, 2008 @ 9:50 pm

    Begin with yourself. You vlogged and vlogged and vlogged as well.

  7. 7

    ANNAMARIE said,

    July 13, 2008 @ 9:53 pm

    HI DR DON G.

    PAH! PAH! YES! YES! Thank you for saying THAT! They should be ashamed of themselves. NOT TO ATTACK! Divided we fall, United we stand!

  8. 8

    native asl/ci parent and child said,

    July 13, 2008 @ 9:54 pm

    Don, I feel your anger and frustration. I understand.

    But don’t you think your shirt tells Cuers and SEE users to get lost? Don’t you think your comment the other day that you are against CI reflects your rejection of the CI Deaf propulation? Don’t you think your recent blog– stating that we Deaf parents who chose cochlear implants for our children are destroyers of the community– are not offensive to us? I think your strong opinions is an example of what is tearing up the community.

    Why can’t we all just get along and respect our communication choices as d/Deaf adults? Why can’t we all just get along and focus on something we ALL agree on: educating the public about how important sign language or a visual mode of communication is for deaf babies CI, HA , and unaided?

    Hope tomorrow’s a better day. for Deaf America.

  9. 9

    DrDonG said,

    July 13, 2008 @ 9:54 pm

    Venz — I don’t have the right to vlog? Only you and those you support? And, I have not slandered anyone (and before you point at me for my “Ben is a kid” comment, PLEASE go back and see my response to your collective accusations about my supposed “ageism”).

  10. 10

    native asl/ci parent and child said,

    July 13, 2008 @ 9:58 pm

    Dan,

    Be courteous. Be nice. You may disagree with this vlogger andcomment with professionalism and respect.

    I like nerds by the way.

    “nacpac”

  11. 11

    DrDonG said,

    July 13, 2008 @ 10:02 pm

    N.A/C.I.P&C. –

    My shirt expresses my belief (based on the research) that SEE and Cued Speech are not what is effective for Deaf children; ASL is. But, like I said to you C.I. Deaf, I am not against YOU as people. I am not against THEM as people. I didn’t say you were destroyers of the Deaf community, I said I was concerned that Hearing parents (based on that research study I cited) are not going to use ASL with their children, and with the increasing C.I. of these children, it seems almost inevitable that our community and language will be destroyed, and your support of C.I. could be something of a “back door” to that destruction.

    I can respect your communication choice as an adult, and I do, although yes, I don’t agree with it as the case may be. We do all agree on sign language and visual access for deaf babies, except some of us don’t…. I am becoming increasingly despairing of the gap.

  12. 12

    Dan said,

    July 13, 2008 @ 10:03 pm

    DonG!

    What a nice DRAMA! We thought that you are one of best show actors, with cool props.

    Hat off, Deaf cult. But we never agree with you forever. Your style is phased out in Deaf community’s next generation.

    Sleep well. Dream about Deaf Disneyland = Deaf Cult’s paradise.

  13. 13

    Mishkazena said,

    July 13, 2008 @ 10:16 pm

    Different communication methodologies and constrasting cultural values.

    There can be no diversity as long as we don’t accept everybody and their beliefs.

    Problems arise when a group attempts to impose their values on others or people being ridiculed or bashed due to their cultural and communication mores.

    I think that’s the bottom line. It gets compounded by a lack of integrity and transparency organizations show to the hearing and deaf communities.

  14. 14

    native asl/ci parent and child said,

    July 13, 2008 @ 10:23 pm

    allight…. thanks for your response.

    Where did you find the shirt anyway?

    uhm, let me think for a second… well, my children come first before the deaf community. i can not allow my children to be martyrs for the Deaf cause. They are the modern Deaf. It is our responsibility to prepare them for their future.

    Like I said in my comment in your other vlog , hearing parents are more likely to listen to us than Deaf people who say they are against CI. Hearing parents WILL STILL go down the CI/oral path even if we Deaf parents of CI children decide to reverse our decision.

    It is good to know that you are not against us or anybody who think differently than the DEAF WAY. But you want us all to think the DEAF WAY. Hmmm. That’s getting a bit complicated.

    Nice confetti youve got there. Your little doggie will do the cleaning up?

  15. 15

    William said,

    July 13, 2008 @ 10:37 pm

    Hey vloggers.

    Do you think the photo (female with fashionable hair) is insane? No. She looks cool model.

    No offenses please. Who posted that photo - he looks a real insane. Right?

    ~William

  16. 16

    Candy said,

    July 13, 2008 @ 11:05 pm

    I think DonG is mad at people like Anne Marie, MZ , Amy and Barry for coming out with the truth as we know it.

    Cuz with the truth, as we know it, came the disbelief, shock, what have you’s…

    And then, the rest is history….totaly fullblown discourse in the deaf blogosphere.

    There is still hope, yet, for the deaf. cuz what we are seeing is everyone being proactive. Wonderful!

    What everyone needs is the truth. So, let the discussions go on…

  17. 17

    The Ponder Deaf Man said,

    July 13, 2008 @ 11:08 pm

    Dr DonG,

    I feel your pain and it is sadding situation for me where we can’t agree to disagree. I guess no one understood to the term of “Agree to Disagree” situation and really overwhelming with such a cruel remarks. Just don’t let it get to you.

    The Ponder Deaf Man

  18. 18

    noname said,

    July 13, 2008 @ 11:42 pm

    Forgive me but I had to chuckle when I see you signing this and then I look over to the right side colum where I see a title that says “Lets beware of wolves in deaf-friendly clothing” considering the t-shirt that you were wearing in this vlog.

  19. 19

    bridget said,

    July 14, 2008 @ 12:34 am

    Bravo!!!!!!!! yeah yeah
    thank you,dan

  20. 20

    Richard Roehm said,

    July 14, 2008 @ 1:01 am

    Im so happy I got banned from m DR and DVTV as its now gonna be impossible to put me on the hot seat for causing the shambles in the deaf community.

    Richard

  21. 21

    DrDonG said,

    July 14, 2008 @ 1:02 am

    Richard,

    If you’re getting banned from more than one place, maybe it’s time for you to look at yourself in the mirror and wonder why.

  22. 22

    DrDonG said,

    July 14, 2008 @ 1:35 am

    Bridget,

    I hope you meant “Don”. “Dan” is one of the people I am talking about.

  23. 23

    DrDonG said,

    July 14, 2008 @ 6:53 am

    NACIP&C–

    Smile. The shirt came from The Bicultural Center, back when it was still in existence.

    You’re right, it is complicated. But, you guys SAY you are Deaf, and you love Deaf people and our language and community. So you hold those values, obviously, just as those of us who are against CI do. It just seems a bit ironic that in your acceptance of the technology, which like you say, parents are still going down that path, but that research indicates they are going down the path AND not embracing OUR language despite the talk of many that they’ll “let their kids choose” (AFTER the child has already become a teenager or later) but they are not providing their children with the proper tools (early exposure to ASL and Deaf adults) to make a truly “informed” choice of their own. See what I’m saying?

    Fortunately, confetti wasn’t too hard to clean up. Dog didn’t go for it (surprise — she’ll eat almost everything else…)

  24. 24

    DrDonG said,

    July 14, 2008 @ 6:56 am

    William,

    That woman is Susan Powter. She did a commercial a while back where her tagline was “Stop the insanity!” Don’t remember what she was supposed to be selling, though.

  25. 25

    DrDonG said,

    July 14, 2008 @ 6:58 am

    Candy,

    The “truth” as you know it is being presented to you by someone who is twisting and distorting the words of others, and you are buying it, hook line and sinker without engaging in some critical thought of your own as to whether his perception of this “truth” is so accurate or not.

  26. 26

    DrDonG said,

    July 14, 2008 @ 7:06 am

    Noname –

    The “wolves” vlog was in reference to those who make outright lies and deliberate misinterpretations of other’s beliefs and statements. My support of ASL (as evidenced by my shirt) does not make me a “wolf”. I have been civil to people who disagreed with me. It is one thing to discuss and disagree. It is quite another to insult, sneer, put down, and denigrate the ideas of others just because you don’t agree with them. I wonder who’s the real wolf here? I’m not saying you are (yet), but there are others of your belief system who definitely are showing their canines.

  27. 27

    Shelley said,

    July 14, 2008 @ 7:44 am

    Don,

    I concur with your message…again.

    I’m glad I don’t have to clean up that confetti. I’m sure your wife didn’t have to, eh? *wink* That picture of Susan Powter REALLY reminds me of your age (and mine) because I actually recognize her. LOL

    This is for some of the commenters:

    Let us stop with the fingerpointing and blaming and twisting people’s motives. Listen to his message, please.

    Let us raise our discourse, which means NO attacking. NO bullying. No insulting. NO twisting of words and motives to suit agendas.

    Thank you

    Shelley

  28. 28

    brenster- said,

    July 14, 2008 @ 8:54 am

    Agreed!

  29. 29

    observer said,

    July 14, 2008 @ 12:16 pm

    People, you’re bashing someone for saying, “Let’s discuss this without name-calling, insulting, or being mean to each other.”

    I’m confused. Are you saying you WANT to be mean?

  30. 30

    valerie said,

    July 14, 2008 @ 12:59 pm

    Sorry could not watch the vlog, I can’t get past your shirt. It takes away from your message.

  31. 31

    bridget said,

    July 14, 2008 @ 1:00 pm

    i am sorry i made mistake i mean it s don not dan forgive me

  32. 32

    DrDonG said,

    July 14, 2008 @ 2:17 pm

    Valerie,

    Please see my comment #11.

  33. 33

    valerie said,

    July 14, 2008 @ 5:42 pm

    I won’t agree to disagree. I can’t understand how an educator like yourself can be like this. You have a right to your opinion, I will not “agree to disagree.” I will not bother to leave another comment on your blog. I won’t fuel a flame. I respect the choices of families and adults, weather it be the type of visual communications , CIs or HA.

  34. 34

    Mishkazena said,

    July 14, 2008 @ 7:36 pm

    Calling for a discourse is not insanity.

  35. 35

    DrDonG said,

    July 14, 2008 @ 7:47 pm

    Mishka,

    More importantly, calling for a CIVIL discourse is not insanity.

  36. 36

    Mishkazena said,

    July 14, 2008 @ 9:19 pm

    Indeed, Don :)

  37. 37

    native asl/ci parent and child said,

    July 14, 2008 @ 10:22 pm

    DonG: It just seems a bit ironic that in your acceptance of the technology, which like you say, parents are still going down that path, but that research indicates they are going down the path AND not embracing OUR language.

    NACPAC: Maybe it is too soon to say its ironic. We are a fairly new community as we have been hiding in corners for some time.

    Let’s look out for the Phoenix. I have hope, so you should too. We all learn from our mistakes.

  38. 38

    Karen Mayes said,

    July 15, 2008 @ 5:10 am

    DrDon… yeah, I know Susan Powers… I read her books… it is about her battle with weight problem and how she lost weight.

    Well, I have had some time to digest the uproar on DeafRead. I see Patti Durr left DR, feeling not safe.

    Hmmmm…DeafRead succeeded in showing diversity, right?

    But we have trouble dealing with diversity, despite we claim we are for it. Diversity comes with agreements and disagreements. However, we thrive more on disagreement (I guess it is part of our daily “fight or flee” stress.)

    What is interesting is that on internet, oppression is more felt and more occuring than in real life. Or are we that oppressed that we find DeafRead as an avenue to release our frustrations? Etc.? I blogged about oppression on DeafRead, especially toward CI and people strongly disagreed with me. But I am seeing it still! Which brings me to question this… interent… while it is a wonderful world, to have immediate access to all kinds of information and people, it is a dangerous world where the reputations can be easily destroyed, etc.

    Internet is an insane world, all right.

  39. 39

    John said,

    July 15, 2008 @ 6:26 pm

    I second you…. Some people have almost none understand about limit of boundary. Do they lack to understand a critial thinking from their parents taught or school’s taught? Where they come from? I grab to get subcribe before your blog or vlog to disaaper. ( incase)

  40. 40

    Mr. Sandman’s Sandbox » DeafRead, the Deaf Blogosphere, and Ethics said,

    July 16, 2008 @ 1:08 am

    [...] aggregator. My feeling is, “bad move.” Don Grushkin at Deafhood Discourses posted a vlog that pretty much summed this all up. I agree with him, although I think he could’ve saved the [...]

  41. 41

    DrDonG said,

    July 16, 2008 @ 6:09 am

    “Sandman” above, offered an EXCELLENT, thoughtful blog on this problem. I urge any of you to read it.

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