Hoi've got a lo-ve-ly bunch o' coconuts.
There they are a-standin' in a row.
Big ones, small ones, some as big as yer 'ead!
Give 'em a twist, a flick o' the wrist,
That's what the showman said.
Hoi've got a lo-ve-ly bunch o' coconuts.
Hevery ball yer throw will make me rich.
There stands me wife, the idol of me life,
Singin' "roll a-bowl a ball, a penny a pitch!
OK That's the silly bit over, but a more serious topic than coconuts, is my concern. I am drawing an example from a term I first head about from America during the heavy days of Black cultural strife. I hasten to add this is NOT about the issue, simply drawing an analogy between the 'Coconut' concept/term that was lauded at the time, to denote issues of black people who inter-married, and their children were 'mixed' race, in short they looked black, but were not deemed proper black people because of one parent being white. I hope I am not putting this over too contentiously, and ask you take it in context. So if offence is taken, please appreciate, it is NOT deliberate at all.
I see many parallels between that and Deaf people who see us 'deaf' as looking like cultural deaf, who might sign a bit, but are not cultural, just because we cannot hear, we haven't got the 'T-Shirt' required. Will it always be like this I ponder ? The thing about coconuts, is they still look and 'taste' the time once opened up, and as deaf and Deaf open up to each other, I feel at some point they will see it doesn't really make any difference in the long run.
The 'shell' is just a holder for what it contains, and inside we are all the same, if I get cut, my blood will be the same colour as yours. Is culture the shell, or what is inside it ? Obviously neither can exist without the other... Perhaps this is the message most important, and not, which tree it grew on...
I never cease to be amazed that while personal concerns expressed in private between deaf and Deaf are so amicable, in public there is a driving need to take opposing views. It's like a wild west saloon brawl, scenario where everyone beats the hell out of each other for an hour or two, then the next minute are buying each other drinks.... So, who is buying ?
2 comments:
I'll buy you a pint, should we ever meet, MM ;-)
You're talking about what we US Deaf call "HEARING-MINDED" (dunno if BSL has an equivalent?)
Will there always be some looking down our noses at those who are like you describe? Honestly, I don't know. Would be nice if we can accept each other as Deaf, period, regardless of the forms in which each of us choose to express our Deafhood.
Unfortunately, 'Deafhood' IS the barrier.... it is synonymous with division to many. There has to be wider acceptance with the 'Deaf' as well as the hearing.... I think many are tiring of the constant in-fighting, where culture seems to be used as an excuse, to to suggest everyone has it in for them instead.... NOW they have 'Deafhood' and D,d to fend everyone off ? Back to the drawing board....
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