August 2, 2008
· Filed under Politics and Advocacy
- Last night, I saw Jack Barr’s video in which he takes a shotgun to AGB’s “tombstone” which is decorated with swastikas. After watching the video, it was clear that Jack was making an analogy between AGB’s interest in eugenics and his actions toward the Deaf community and sign language and Hitler’s eugenic policies and actions toward the Jewish people (among other groups, including Gays, Gypsies, and other varied “non-Aryans”. This is an example of utilizing our First Amendment: the right to Free Speech (which is slowly being eroded by our current Presidential administration, but I’m not getting into that here). Under no circumstances can this be considered a “hate crime”. Why? Because AGB (the man) is dead. Jack only shot a picture and a fake “tombstone”. The shooting of this “tombstone” can be considered a metaphorical reference to AGB, the organization which carries his name and continues his traditions. We Americans have the right to criticize organizations and express our opinions about these organizations, just as Jack did through this video.
- On another note, it is obvious that Jack intended this video as a joke of some sort, since he filed it under “entertained”. However, as we all know now, the joke fell flat — flat on its face. Sometimes jokes bomb. This one bombed big. But jokes, too, are a form of protected Free Speech.
- Now, I have to say, as a Jewish person, I found the video and display of swastikas to be in extremely poor taste. There is no question about that. But poor taste is also protected by our First Amendment. But, I realized that this video would be used by certain elements to further attempt to discredit the DBC and people associated with it. This is why I emailed Jack last night before the video posted onto DeafRead urging him to pull the video. Although he did ultimately pull the video, unfortunately not before what I predicted would happen, did.
- There have been allegations that since Jack is a member of DBC and involved with his State’s chapter of DBC, that DBC and CAD are therefore liable for this video. No organization is responsible for the actions of its members, if those members are acting on their own behalf. Jack posted this video under his own website, not through DBC’s or CAD’s — therefore it is clear that this is something he undertook on his own. I don’t vet my v/blogs with DBC or any other organization, and I am sure most of us are the same. If I were DBC and CAD, I would probably be issuing a quick statement to the effect that Jack had acted on his own behalf and not as a representative of either organization, and that DBC and CAD do not advocate violence towards any individual or organization. But, I am not DBC or CAD — I am not even an officer of either organization. They have chosen to take action regarding the various issues that have come up over the past several weeks in their own way, according to how they see fit. But in no way should any of us be taking their continued silence as any sort of admission of “guilt” or “wrongdoing” — after all, they are protected too, by another one of our Constitutional amendments — the 5th Amendment, which states that one has the right to remain silent, because anything one says can be taken and used against one’s self. It is unfortunate that this took place on a Friday night/Saturday morning — a time of the week when most people are out enjoying their lives — and it must be held in mind that the Core Committee of DBC and CAD’s officers are NOT paid professionals — they are VOLUNTEERS who have the right to have personal lives of their own, especially on a beautiful weekend morning.
- It is ironic that around the same time, Jack and I were posting similar ideas — that we Deaf should not be revering AGB’s name (or the organization that bears it) — we have already had it successfully pulled down from one of NTID’s dorms for these very same reasons. He made his point through this video, and I was making it through a comparison to the Stockholm Syndrome. Our conclusions were similar, but expressed differently.
- The DBC and CAD, and the individuals who work for these worthy organizations, are working on behalf of us all. It is a shame to see certain individuals making political hay out of the mistake of one person (who was expressing his own opinion) in an attempt to bring down these same organizations and individuals. If this effort succeeds, our future lives, and the lives of our future Deaf children, will be all the poorer for the lack of these organizations and individuals who have only worked to try to improve things for us ALL.
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Mishkazena said,
August 2, 2008 @ 4:42 pm
I find your minimizing what Jack did somewhat disturbing. Your allegations that people objecting to his vlog are focused on destroying DBC are also disquieting. In other words, it appears that any constructive criticism or feedback is construed to be a deliberate attempt to destroy an organization when nothing is further from the truth. Where is democracy of Deaf America? Where is the rights of Deaf citizens to share their concerns and feelings? It also appears that you don’t believe in the accountability of an organization or an individual.
The AGBell vlog may be a mistake, but it is a very BIG mistake. The focus of the DBC is on deaf babies and deaf children and bilingualism. Whether Jack realizes it or not, he is indeed a representative of DBC because he hosted many DBC-related vlogs. Rightfully or not, people do associate him with DBC. That’s human nature.
Hearing parents and Deaf people who have been watching Jack’s vlogs will feel thrown off by this vlog. Even though it was a joke in a very poor taste, it’s still a reflection of one’s self. Minimizing or pooh poohing will only aggravate the situation, if one is familiar with public relations. This is a PR disaster, unfortunately.
I hope Jack will realize the error of his ways and make a public apology. DBC also needs to make an official statement. Too many people have seen the vlog for it to be swept under the carpet.
I would also recommend that DBC get the services of a professional public relations company. If a deaf organization isn’t willing to listen to constructive feedback or criticism from its own community, how can DBC deal with hearing parents?
Chris said,
August 2, 2008 @ 5:16 pm
Mishkazena,
You are the one of the two DR editor(with Amy Cohen Efron) that started all this problems by letting Barry Sewell and his group with their comments on your blogs with full of hate messages about DBC.
Mishkazena, you created all of this problems just because you were not comfortable about Deafhood which is not part of DBC and also biting your pinkie because of DBC’s success at Milwaukee.
If you think you can do better, then do it. Stop telling people how to do it when you can’t do it yourself!
Just quit biting your pinkies with envy.
Misha said,
August 2, 2008 @ 5:35 pm
I’m sorry to tell you, DonG. I happen to agree with Mishka because the damage is already done. It may be beyond the repair IF DBC and Jack issue the apologies for not taking the action quickly. I know DBC has nothing to do with Jack’s vlog but keep in the mind that Jack is somewhat DBC’s “representive”. That would make DBC look bad if they did nothing. It would make it better if they reprimand or condemned his vlog publicity to quell everyone’s uneasiness and qualms.
Also, even though I’m aware that you’re Jewish but I believe that swastikas in Deaf people’s eyes “represent” Holocaust. My late granduncle was in it and lost all of his family and relatives. True, it is not the case but other people felt that way. So therefore it’s somewhat hate crime and violence that should NOT be promoted. It was very extreme upsetting to view him shooting right in the real sacred cemetery. I felt that he somehow had disturbed the peace and spirit of the loved ones. To be honest with you, I’m not even religious at all since I’m born Catholic but never practice it. None at all but I respect the cemetery that no one should discrete the tombstones, even the fake tombstones that contain the picture of somebody. It is really in extreme poor taste.
I really don’t like one bit if somebody is trying to pooh pooh that issue or sweep that issue under the rug and act like nothing is happening.
I know Jack had made his grave mistake. I’m sure we can forgive him and move on if he issues his apology. I would be gladly to accept his apology and mistake.
Misha
Anonymous said,
August 2, 2008 @ 6:03 pm
MZ,
You are way, way out of line.
Deb Ann said,
August 2, 2008 @ 6:25 pm
I hope Jack wiill say, “I’m sorry” for making his vlog. It’s really a big mistake. We shouldn’t blame DBC since Jack is a member. We need to focus on his mistake, not DBC. Just want to share my opinion.
RLM said,
August 2, 2008 @ 6:28 pm
What happened to Jack Barr’s infamous video spoof of AGBell? I could not find it at all.
I want to see it for myself.
Jack Barr have much right of doing this satire of AGBell no matter how intasteful it could be.
Robert L. Mason (RLM)
observer said,
August 2, 2008 @ 6:40 pm
MishkaZena, I strongly disagree with your statement that DBC isn’t listening to the community. I disagree on the grounds that their alleged silence (they’ve been communicating. Their Q&A is one example.) is not sufficient evidence to assume they aren’t listening. And I don’t agree with your interpretation of events. I think the last paragraph of your comment was unfair.
DrDonG said,
August 2, 2008 @ 6:47 pm
Misha,
When I saw the video (RLM — Jack pulled it, so nobody can see it now — I think Jack realized he made a mistake with it now), I didn’t see a shooting in a cemetery. Although it was implied, it looked like he cut away and then did the shooting in his backyard or something, so no actual sacrilege of holy ground was done. Those of you who did see the video, I think you will recall there were no tombstones around or behind the fake one he shot.
Deb Ann — I think Jack should say he was sorry for making the video — I hope he will. And yes, it is HIS mistake and HIS alone — DBC should not be implicated for it.
Misha said,
August 2, 2008 @ 6:51 pm
DonG,
Regardless where it was taken at either the real cemetery or Jack’s backyard, how would everyone know? They assume it may have taken a place right at the cemetery. Therefore it is still in very poorest taste.
Misha
Edward Nugent said,
August 2, 2008 @ 6:52 pm
Jack Barr’s vlog was not about hate crime. In Europe, they called George Bush “Hilter”, is that hate crime? NO! Deaf need to stop listen to Barry Sewell.
DrDonG said,
August 2, 2008 @ 7:03 pm
Misha,
Point is, I don’t think Jack actually shot in a cemetery, so no desecration of a holy ground actually happened. Yes, he made it look like he might have done that, but if it didn’t happen in reality, then no dead spirits were disturbed. Just like special effects in a movie — just because someone looks like their head got chopped off doesn’t mean that they really had their head chopped off and then it got sewed back on so they’re walking around making more movies.
Diane said,
August 2, 2008 @ 7:07 pm
I missed Jack’s eyes’ vlog because it was already removed. Ahhh I didn’t know (I was told by someone about this and I forget all about that) there were swastikas in Jack’s eyes vlog. If the swastikas are NOT shown, it would not have been removed. Don’t forget the hearing world made some horrific vlogs such as Saddam Hussein’s execution, severely Disfigured or Deformed Babies, and many many more. I made the vlog at DeafVideo.TV - under Jack’s eyes vlog #65. I didn’t realize that some of the swastikas are shown in his vlog. Very steep for the many survivors of the Holocaust. I hope Jack reconsiders and apologizes to the survivors.
Yes of course it’s our freedom of speech (think about the hearing horrific vlogs!) .. but Just don’t use the swastikas and others. It is pretty degrading.
Diane
Diane said,
August 2, 2008 @ 7:10 pm
I made the vlog at DeafVideo.TV - under Jack’s eyes vlog #65 oopps I made the COMMENT - not vlog
Ann_C said,
August 2, 2008 @ 7:13 pm
Aaaarrgh! *holding my head in my hands*
I know that Jack makes some funny jokes, but this one really fell flat, DonG. I can just imagine what some hearing parents of deaf babies are gonna make of this ‘un, if a copy of this vid ever re-circulates. It’s really an unflattering depiction of us, the deaf community. I don’t care if he represents himself, the DBC, whatever, but he is a member of the deaf community, and that vid makes us all look bad.
Ugh.
Mishkazena said,
August 2, 2008 @ 7:33 pm
Chris,
If people don’t care how Jack is affecting the appearance of DBC, then i guess there is no problem here.
You forgot I already resigned from DBC. I don’t want to get involved in an organization operated as a dictatorship without any parliamentary procedures and promoting censorship of certain bloggers/vloggers. I see you also want to censor the expressions of people you don’t like what they write. We live in America where freedom of speech is the constitutional right.
As a concerned Deaf citizen, I certainly have the right to voice my concerns as a member of Deaf Community. I do want to see DBC succeed. Its first conference was already very successful.
Don, it’s human nature to associate Jack with DBC due to their close vlogging relationship, whether it is justified or not. As a former school psychologist, you should be aware of this
The most important thing is to stop this silly infighting and try to do some damage control, including making apologies asap. I know Jack didn’t mean harm, but he did make a serious mistake. Nobody wants to see DBC destroyed.
Mishkazena said,
August 2, 2008 @ 7:36 pm
By the way, Chris, i suggest you check the Q’s and A’s of DBC where they have already announced they do practice Deafhood, too. In my post, I thanked them for becoming more transparent.
In Reponse to Mishkazena said,
August 2, 2008 @ 7:48 pm
I think the analogy is that Deaf people have systematically been language controlled and “experimented on” by AG Bell and his organization for over 100 years. This attempted annihilation of the language of the Deaf in America, ASL, has caused much pain and suffering not only in individual’s lives but also for parents who were fooled by AG Bell’s propaganda. Fooled to believe that ASL and sign language should not be used as it will hinder the ability to speak. This one message not only caused but continues to cause babies and individuals to be denied ASL and natuarl sign language. It has also made ASL look like lesser of a language and not equal to spoken language in the eyes of those who don’t have full reliable information about the benefits of ASL. This has all contributed to the audist views that have controlled many decisions made into laws, mandates, and guidelines related to the Deaf.
Even though I don’t necessarily agree with Jack’s way he portrayed his views towards AG Bell, I think you are way off point to try to link this once again to DBC. DBC cannot be responsible for every member or person’s comments that supports DBC. You have said you support DBC, and yet DBC cannot be responsible for the comments that you have made in your own blogs.
If anyone should be held responsible, it would be the person that makes the blogs or DR for allowing libel, slander, harrassment to continue to happen even after they issue their new guidelines.
Oh and lastly, good idea about recommending hiring a professional PR company for DBC. I suggest you start this fund raising project or give a donation to this cause.
Brance Long said,
August 2, 2008 @ 8:07 pm
Don,
and Edward too, we (video commenters in Deafvideo.tv) just “nipped the bud” his (Jack’s Eye) wrong doings before it gets bigger last night. He pulled it off. I respected him for that. I was thinking of a possibility for us to form a watchdog for DBC/CAD.
We can’t afford to let DBC go with their free hand without accountability. DBC is our best hope for Deaf community. I can’t afford that during the early development of DBC.
Why?
Because we care for d/Deaf babies and ASL.
Brance (Ecnarb)
In Reponse to Mishkazena said,
August 2, 2008 @ 8:19 pm
One other thing, I noticed you continue to write negatively about DBC stating that they operating under a dictatorship with no parlimentary procedures. This comment is filled with hate. You really need to move on. This is becoming ridiculous. Leave DBC alone and let them do the job that they set out to do in their mission statement. You are doing nothing to contribute positively to their goals.
observer said,
August 2, 2008 @ 8:28 pm
MishkaZena, you seem to be operating under a severe misapprehension. It is NOT possible to “practice Deafhood.” There is no such thing. Deafhood is an experience, a process, a way of framing the world. There’s nothing to “practice” except self-examination.
Diane said,
August 2, 2008 @ 8:36 pm
If I were a core or team member of DBC - I would ban Jack from being a member of DBC or even Deafvideo.tv for a least 3 months because Jack uses the symbol of Swastikas in his vlog. The damaged has been already ruined and affects many of us. This is only my own perspective.
Anonymous said,
August 2, 2008 @ 8:49 pm
diane,
You’re being ridiculous. Jack was only attempting to use
symbolism to convey a message
He did NOTHING wrong, and he certainly does NOT need
to apologize to anyone.
DrDonG said,
August 2, 2008 @ 8:54 pm
MZ –
Actually, I wasn’t a very good School Psychologist, which is why I’m no longer in that field. But I understand what you’re saying — yes, it is human nature to associate Jack with DBC, but the fact is, he made the vlog as a personal vlogger, just like you and me, NOT as a representative of DBC. It is like the Senator who gets caught in possession of child pornography — that was his own wrongdoing, but in no way should we then disband the Senate because of the wrong actions of one member of the Senate.
DrDonG said,
August 2, 2008 @ 8:58 pm
Brance,
Yes, I’m sure many other people also contacted Jack asking him to pull the video. He made the right decision to do so, and like you, I respect him for doing the right thing. It was not well-thought out, what he did. I hope he makes a public apology for it so we can all move on and DBC can get back to doing their work.
A watchdog — I don’t know. We will have to see what develops with DBC. I still maintain that they did nothing technically wrong, and that it is certain people who are intentionally trying to stir up hate or anger at DBC to bring it down.
DrDonG said,
August 2, 2008 @ 9:02 pm
Anon,
I agree with you, it was symbolism, and it is technically not wrong. But it was offensive to many, and he can apologize for offending people. But you’re right, he doesn’t HAVE to — other people have made offensive materials in the name of making a point, and they don’t apologize for it….
Diane said,
August 2, 2008 @ 9:32 pm
Anon — if you draw or make a sign of the swastikas in your vlog or elsewhere. You would have been arrested for this. It is a serious hate crime. I may be ridiculous but I take this seriously here. It has affected affected many people’s family members who survived the holocaust. Diane
Richard Roehm said,
August 2, 2008 @ 10:06 pm
Jack Barr’s Latest Videoblog Brings DBC Down To The Levels Of Hate Groups
Richard
Mishkazena said,
August 2, 2008 @ 10:09 pm
AGBell Association has its own PR dept which has been doing a fab job. Why don’t you give a donation to DBC since you are obviously a strong supporter? I’ve already resigned from DBC for these several issues I’ve pointed out. As far as I know, these issues remain the same, hence leading to the resignation of yet another DBC member. Regardless how you may not like these issues, however, these are based on the experiences of former DBC members. Truth sometimes isn’t pretty. As former core members we also witnessed first hand how deafhood was practiced deep inside, so yes we do know what we are talking about.
Comparing me to Jack is comparing oranges and apples. Jack is the official representative of DBC at some capacity and actively showed vlogs for DBC few times. “Also, the DBC Wisconsin chapter under the excellent leadership of Jack Barr is doing a lot of ground work. http://www.ellasflashlight.com/?p=74 ” Unlike him, I don’t have a relationship with DBC when I covered DBC in the recent weeks.
When Obama’s minister made these remarks, Obama was very quick to disassociate himself from that minister, condemning these statements. Even though the minister was not speaking for Obama, Obama knows about the association factor very significant in influencing the public opinion. I believe McCain did a similar thing recently.
No, Jack is under no obligation to make an apology, nor is DBC. However, that may affect the outlook of DBC through the eyes of hearing parents of oral deaf babies and children. It’s entirely up to DBC how to operate its public relations.
Mishkazena said,
August 2, 2008 @ 10:11 pm
Don, a psychologist can be a tough job. I am biased, but I think teaching at a university is more enjoyable.
DrDonG said,
August 2, 2008 @ 11:17 pm
Richard –
Was Jack’s vlog “hate speech”? That’s debatable — I say no, it was a misguided attempt at symbolic expression. But it was not on behalf of DBC — it was all Jack. So, you’re wrong. Equating Jack’s action as representative of DBC as a whole is not appropriate, just as it would not be appropriate for me to say your comments in the blogosphere are representative of AGB’s intents. When AGB does something, I will attribute intent appropriately to them, when YOU do something, I will place the proper attribution to YOU.
MZ — I think teaching is more enjoyable too.
Trying Hard to Understand said,
August 3, 2008 @ 1:14 am
One of my favorite Jack Barr videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-DnVFx1Kdg
No, DBC did NOT let Jack interpret in Milwaukee
a parent said,
August 3, 2008 @ 6:08 am
As a parent of deaf children, I found the news of this video disgusting. It is one more example of how Deafhood seems to be more self absorbed and self involved than interested in helping deaf babies. It’s about their own psychological past, their own anger and their own hatred. I certainly see this as a hate video, and I’m sure other parents agree. I can’t foresee any parent hearing about it or seeing it who won’t feel great distaste for any organization whose friends do that sort of thing. We want to stay far, far away from that sort of thing. I’m raising my deaf babies to live contentedly in the world, not angrily apart from society.
Richard Roehm said,
August 3, 2008 @ 8:04 am
If you see it that way thats fine but I happen to be the deaf beacon that hearing people would rather listen to. If i make an interpretation of something, the hearing folks will take it in easily.
Jack is the one that has to own up to his action. DBC has to own up to keeping Jack among them.
In the past 3 weeks at the fair, I been showing the best face of the deaf community to the hearing people. What has the deaf community been doing? Making clowns out of themselves with these silly blunders like what this blog is talking about.
Richard
Anonymous said,
August 3, 2008 @ 8:12 am
MZ,
Your comparison to Obama’s minister making comments
is absurd. Jack was simply using symbolism to make
the point that the philosophy of Oralism is wrong. He went
a little overboard and used symbolism that people
misinterpreted.
What Jack did is only an innocent mistake in not expressing
himself the way he intended. He did nothing wrong.
DrDonG said,
August 3, 2008 @ 9:37 am
Parent –
Just curious — you didn’t identify yourself as a Hearing parent or as a Deaf parent….
Richard –
You are an example of why we are having problems — you tell parents what they WANT to hear instead of what they NEED to hear.
In Reponse to Mishkazena said,
August 3, 2008 @ 9:38 am
Mischkazena,
Again you keep bringing up your past involvement like that is the reality of today. DBC has accomplished a lot without you and the others being part of the core group. Is your jealously part of the issue of continuously bringing up why you left? DBC is continuing without you. Apparently that bothers you because you keep bringing it up.
Move on. . If you have nothing good or positive to say, then say nothing. If you have personal issues with people, then work this out face to face. Stop hiding behind a blog or a comment.
Oh and by the way, because Jack blogs and vlogs about DBC, does not in any way shape or form make him an “official” representative of DBC. That is a ridiculous comment. That means if I am member of a political party and blog about a presidential candidate ,that I become an “official” representative. Come on….
Mishkazena said,
August 3, 2008 @ 11:39 am
Anon,
We will need to disagree here. Surely we can disagree without beating up each other, right? We are adults.
Jack Barr did the right thing. He stepped forward and apologized for his behavior. He also shared his very painful story which touches me very deeply.
By the way, why are you hiding behind an anonymous name? Wouldn’t it be better if we all use our real names and carry a constructive dialogue, including feedback, without this ridiculous attacks? If we attack others because we cannot handle constructive feedback, how can we move forward? We are stuck in one place… exactly where AGBell system wants us.
We need to hear feedback, both the positives and not so postives, to help us evolve, learn, and make progresses.
observer said,
August 3, 2008 @ 5:30 pm
MishkaZena,
I wanted to respond to why someone’s hiding behind an anonymous name. I can’t speak for that person, but I can speak for myself. After the verbal violence that has occurred in the past several months (calling people acolytes, minions, etc, as well as other insults; threatening people’s jobs, shredding people’s reputations, etc), there is no way in hell I’m using my real name online. I’d like to keep my job and reputation, thankyouverymuch. Anyone who does now is brave or nuts, maybe both, in my opinion.
And what’s wrong with anonymity, if one sticks to issues, principles, ideas, and arguments without personal attacks?
Jean Boutcher said,
August 3, 2008 @ 7:50 pm
DrDonG writes:
Don,
You hit the nail on the head!
Jean
Jean Boutcher said,
August 3, 2008 @ 8:10 pm
Edward Nugent:
I have been a political - peace (anti-war) activisit for a number of years. We would make signs for picketing at rallies. In October of 2002, I saw a sign picketed by a Georgetown University student, “Do not bomb Iraq.
Bomb Bush.” Another sign I saw was “Bury Not Iraqian civilians. Bury Bush.” (I made a jumbo reproduction of “Guernica”, by the way.)
Do you think that activists literally wanted to bomb or bury Bush?
No. Just figuratively. So it was the same with Jack Barr who did not
share his vlog with the world but with the e-loop of DeafRead. Why make a mountain out of a molehill?
Mishkazena said,
August 4, 2008 @ 8:54 am
Anon
I’ve been threatened, slandered, and attacked. There were and are smear campaigns to destroy my reputation and integrity. I still use my name. *shrug*
Personally I think people using anonymous tend to attack more viciously at a personal level. Which doesn’t reflect well to that person, hence the usage of the anon terms. I think it’s cowardly, imo.
From what I’ve seen, it seems many Deaf people are not feeling empowered to really express their honest opinion. The free thinkers who do, receive retaliations, which I think is sad. So much for Deaf Empowerment if peaceful constructive dialogues are strongly discouraged. How far have we progressed since Unity for Gallaudet, I ponder.
Personally I am puzzled why it’s so difficult to conduct a discourse without people feeling threatened. We do see citizens, including reporters, expressing concerns, opinions and raising questions without the fear of retaliation. It just makes me wonder why it’s so different here.
Mishkazena said,
August 4, 2008 @ 9:16 am
In Response, the lack of integrity and transparency of DBC disturbs me. Why would I be jealous of DBC? I left for multiple reasons, hidden agendas, lack of parliamentary procedure, intimidation in other members, verbal attacks from certain leaders and lastly a call for censorship of unpopular bloggers/vloggers. I am glad it is doing well, especially with the national conference last month, but it’s not for me.
Why does it bother me? I feel Deaf Community deserves full transparency from an organization representing them. The negative reactions I received the last four weeks after I asked for clarification and transparency show me that DBC doesn’t welcome this kind of approach. The strong retaliations against these people and also the former DBC members who shared their experiences with DBC leave me even more concerned and reserved about the democratic process of this growing organization and its handling of the Deaf Community. Raising questions and concerns being interpreted as attempts to destroy an organization raise my eyebrows. I won’t be surprised if I’m attacked again for making this statement, but that’s how I and others see it. Many people contacted me privately out of concern due to my treatment on the Internet. They were very supportive of me as they didn’t like what they saw.
Where is the freedom of speech for Deaf people? We live in America where people are encouraged to think critically, but I don’t see the same encouragement in the Deaf Community. It’s sad.
Karen Mayes said,
August 6, 2008 @ 7:04 am
And I support Mishkazena. She is a strong voice and it is disturbing to see her being attacked by some people who don’t understand her. I see people who post their real names as commenters/vloggers/bloggers are more brave and are more able to stand up for their own beliefs. I do get scorned and etc. because my perspective does not mesh their perspectives *shrug*
You could check out the Insane World of Misha about respect: http://blog.deafread.com/misha/2008/08/04/surgeon-general-mishas-warning-to-drdvtv/
Also, I appreciate Brance’s videocomment (the first comment under Barry) on Barry’s vlog: http://www.deafvideo.tv/video/watch/21738/. Dr.Don, I know you are not crazy about Barry, but I do agree with Barry because he has been saying what a few of us have been saying for the last year since DBC was born.
dog food said,
August 7, 2008 @ 11:17 pm
I prefer to use my monkier; It doesn’t make me cowardly.
think about the name: “dog food”. It sure brings out the colors of those who are most pissed at my comments. What deaf person doesn’t like to be thought of as a dog?
Obviously that says alot about a commenter’s self-esteem. Does your emotional baggage get in the way of your thoughts when you’re affect by my crass comments which always had a point?
dog food said,
August 7, 2008 @ 11:21 pm
well said, observer… i like how you described the need for anon.
I can’t help but be crass. Just like anyone can’t help but comment one way or another.
dog food said,
August 7, 2008 @ 11:25 pm
“I’m raising my deaf babies to live contentedly in the world, not angrily apart from society.”
food for a thought.