Tuesday, June 05, 2007
DODs, DOHs and the System: The Bigger Picture
How the system creates the invisible barrier between DODs and DOHs.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
How the system creates the invisible barrier between DODs and DOHs.
By Matt Daigle
By Banjo
Elaine Ernst Schneider (lessontutor.com)
About Me
- Cy
- Educated by SimCom generation. Deaf parents. Deaf husband. Two hearing KODAs.
My Canine Children
Gay, 16, a Yorkshire Terrier. She is showing her age now. Slowing down, sleeping a lot.
Lexi, 5, a White Boxer. No, she is not albino. She has brown eyes. She is a distinct member of the Boxer family that has excessive white skin pigmentation.
My Human Children
Wes, 15. First time he ever dressed up!
Garth, 16. A rebel without a cause.
One more child...
My spouse of 17 years.
Blog Archive
-
►
2007
(71)
-
►
June
(10)
- Should Gallaudet Drop University Status?
- Why Are Deaf Organizations Crumbling?
- Idioms: Does ASL Have Idioms?
- Is CI Surgery Immortal And Non-Consensual?
- Do Hearing People Lack In Common Sense?
- Der Sankt's Challege: ASL Translation Of His Story...
- Mike McConnell, AKA, Kokonut Pundits: Here's A Foo...
- DODs, DOHs and the System: The Bigger Picture
- Color ASL Sign Origin: SEE, Unmarked, Or ???
- SEE-Like Signs in ASL; Y-System or S-System?
-
►
June
(10)
Deafread - Best of Deaf Blogs
Best Reading: My Literacy Circle
- The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time by Mark Haddon
- Snowflower and The Secret Fan by Lisa See
- Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
- The Darwin Awards Series by Wendy Northcutt
Comic Of The Day
31 comments:
Talking about it openly in vlogs and blogs is the first step, so we all DoDs and DoHs can 'see' each other out. This way, we'll gain a better understanding of both worlds
There should be workshops on the diversity of Deaf people. This is an excellent time for Gallaudet and local and state deaf organizations to start providing workshops.
Agreed, MZ. B/vlogging is the first step.
Another $64,000 question...who will roll up sleeves and start the workshops? It seems we are weary of all this. Done that. Done this. That leaves the bridging the gap between the DODs and DOHs...I think that is what divides the deaf communities...DODs versus DOHs.
Joey, DE, and Ridor are all DODs and they are selling the Deafhood hype and are met with resistance. Because Deafhood is speaking against audism and audism is associated with hearing people and DOHs' beloved ones are hearing. It is a vicious cycle, MZ.
Very interesting, I liked what you shared.
I'm a bit hazy on how to explain the system to DoH.
Can some DoD who knows about the system, use vlogs to discuss and educate DoDs on how to explain to DoH about the system.
In the process, some DoH who are addicted to DeafRead, can learn something along with DoD. A bit similar to what mishkazena shared....
I've always enjoyed your Deaf Tea Time vlogs :)
SusanA
WHOA!
#1) Genie Gertz is one of the main Deafhood workshop presenters, and she's a DOH. (Not that it matters to me, but wanted to point out that it ain't all "DOD".)
And, #2) "resistance"? Ella, Genie, and I are in demand for Deafhood presentations. In fact, I'm presenting on Deafhood in Chicago this weekend. In a couple of weeks, all 3 of us will present at the Wisconsin Association of the Deaf conference. Then later in the summer, the RID conv, Minnesota ASLTA, and the CAD. In the fall, Rhode Island. The list goes on. We also were busy last year- presenting at the NAD convention, Michigan, and Gallaudet University around six times.
Yes, there was some initial resistance, of course, for MANY reasons- not just because some of us are DOD- but over time people are really talking together and it's a great process.
Bottom line, Deaf communities across the U.S. are interested in the Deafhood concept, regardless of their parental status.
Can we please VP? This merits a serious discussion in ASL. You can e-mail me at my home address and I'll respond quickly.
DE
Here's what I posted on The Talkie.
******
DE Says:
June 1st, 2007 at 5:03 pm
IamMine,
Thanks so much for clarifying many things. One thing- Genie has wonderful hearing parents. Not that having hearing or Deaf parents is important!!!!! Just good parents that raise Deaf children!!!
This kind of discussion is somewhat dismaying to me. I’ve been accused of many terrible things just because I have Deaf parents and relatives. My family has been painted in a caricature that doesn’t really reflect how we are (for instance, people would say DOD families have full access, EVERYBODY in the family is Deaf, ALL our large family reunions are dandy.. etc.) Well, my parents themselves have hearing parents and relatives. Our family reunions aren’t always easy- not everybody in our family signs. But the love is there. And my parents themselves were raised orally, so– the caricature isn’t accurate.
Really, I don’t know why having the labels of DOH/DOD is important. During my Gallaudet days, one student from one of the Scandinavian countries would tell me how stunned she was at the American insistence on whether our parents were Deaf or not. She said, “In my country, everybody is just…Deaf. We gather together; we don’t even think whose parents are Deaf or not.”
My observation- in her country where Sign Language was allowed, and ALL parents are encouraged to sign with their children— the issue of DOD/DOH becomes less important. Here in the U.S., nearly 70% of parents of school-age Deaf children don’t “regularly sign” (according to the Gallaudet Research Institute)– severly affecting their ability to grow up bilingual. I think that’s where the DOH/DOH issue stems from.
In the future, when ALL parents of Deaf children sign in the U.S., I heartily believe that the DOH/DOD issue will go away. Every Deaf child has the same opportunity to blossom, period. We all can work together towards that dream.
Click me
Hmmm... a very good vlog. You got me thinking. I'm DoH, and I see the struggles between DoD and DoH worlds, which are completely different worlds. It's hard sometimes for both to understand each other.
MZ is correct -- just talking about it openly will help all of us to understand. We should challenge each other to develop our own Deafhoods through blogs/vlogs. Now that I have time this summer, I'll be able to write some of my own stories.
Workshops are a good idea, but like you said, who will take this up, and who will show up at them? I wonder if doing it via blogs and vlogs would be better? Perhaps DeafRead will do a Deafhood contest like they did for Deaf Eyes?
What do you think?
Can you fill me in what had already been done?
Maybe deaf readers can request the officers of their state and national deaf organization to start the workshops. For Gallaudet, the e mail contact is greatideas@gallaudet.edu.
How did you come up with the figure 64,000? :)
Anonymous
Ah...$64,000 question refers to an old tv game where the prize was $64,000. Remember the tv game? It is a common slang I've read often.
DE,
Yes, I know some Deafhood presenters are not DODs...I am happy to know that many are interested in learning what Deafhood is all about. From my own experience, I see many deaf people say "Deafhood?? It is all BS. Just same old Deaf militant story. Just new word. It pops up every other generation." This is where I see resistance and if it does come up every other generation, then no wonder deaf communities could never seem to bridge gaps and unite. The resistance needs to be broken down.
Agreed! I confronted my hearing parents when showing the paper to them about the question of "Is oralism abused?" My parents thought that I was still mad at them and I told them that was not question of being so angry at them. Actually, I got over with my anger toward them, blaming them for not communicating with me. Finally, it became clear to me that they were victims by the Dept. of Educational system. We are the VICTIMS! Does not matter who DoD or DoH are. CY, Thank you for bringing this topic and Thanks ASLpride, too.
ASLpride,
Thanks for replying. I understand what you mean. I am more leaning toward the larger picture where many DODs want to expose and educate about deaf identity and are met with resistance by many DOHs due to differences in backgrounds, familial relationships, educational experiences, etc. I also have plenty DOHs. I think this is true for all of us - after all, DODs is in the 10 percentage - quite small group, so all of us have DOH peers. True, many DOHs don't make much waves or object to deaf movements but I suspect they DO harbor resistance inwards. This is what I seem to observe.
You, DE, and I have hearing members in our families. We do have insight into what DOHs face and experience in their daily lives. If your family does not percept your deafness as a communication barrier, then consider yourself lucky, ASLpride.
DE,
My son is having his 8th grade graduation and all this week - full of activities and etc, so I will email when all that die down. When I can sit and chat and go into a dicussion. I am a talker so I know once I am engaged in a conversation, I get immersed so I WILL get back to you most likely after my son's graduation tomorrow.
Cy: "I suspect they DO harbor resistance inwards"
Exactly what do you mean by that?
There are many different types of DOH, depending on what education they receive, how they communicated with their families and all that. It is hard to classify them in one whole DOH group because we all come from different backgrounds, the only thing similiar is that we have hearing families.
There are some DOH who think that they are superior over deafies just like DOD so how can we cure them, just let them be because this is the way they chose to act.
However, there are always positive and negative things about being DOH. Why don't we write up or vlog something about growing up DOD and DOH (using pros and cons) -- This way we can compare and analyze what we have been through and see if we have a lot of similiarites or differences. And it may help us come to appreciate each other even more.
CY: I disagreed with you... I just spoke to a sponsor today about funding this event about Deafhood workshops and to invite three presenters, which are Ella, David E., and Genie to NYC. The sponsor already gave me the date for the workshop. She is very thrilled because she heard so many positive about Deafhood workshop. She will meet with me next Wednesday.
I just spoke to Rhode Island chairperson. She said she is so thrilled that they will be coming in Oct 13 to provide series Deafhood workshops all day. She had heard many wonderful about Deafhood workshop.
I also had a first hand experience that Deafhood workshop made many impacts on Deaf people and me at NAD last summer. David, Ella, and Genie were very supportive and listened different people about their experience. It was full packed that we had to demand to have a larger room. After the workshops were over, we were so inspired by Deafhood workshop. We constantly talked about it all weekend. They embraced us, all of us with different background.
It has nothing to do with DOD. Deafhood was invented by DOH and oralist who born again to be DEAF. DEAFHOOD EMBRACES EVERY GROUP in the Deaf community. It is the SYSTEM that divides us in the Deaf community.
Secondly, I disagreed with you about DOH. My parents fought for my rights. They taught me to be a fighter against Audism. I thank to my parents for teaching me to stand up and speak up. I know many DOH parents do stand up, embrace their children and do the best for them. Yes, unfortunately there are many DOH parents oppress their Deaf children. I also met DOD parents who put their children in oral school. I also know many DOD are wonderful people.
I realize Deaf people who look down on each other, it is not because of DOD or DOH. It is because they are A**H*L*. Again it is the SYSTEM that divides us..
AIdan
Michele,
You're right. There are many types of DOHs. I am married to one. His family was my first insight into what it was like for my husband growing up. Made me upset and angry the first few years but I came to terms with it. I realized they simply did not know any better. Sleeping over my girlfriends' houses during my teen age years was the first exposure to DOH's lives. I did a lot of sleepovers with my childhood best friends but being a young child, I did not really observe and incorporate anything - was too busy playing or talking with my best friends to be bothered with her parents or her siblings. It was in my teens when I really made observations. Then my husband - even more. I would hazard a guess that my husband's childhood is typical of a DOH. But yes, there are many different kinds of families. Thanks for bringing this into percspective.
Cy,
Agreed- resistance needs to be broken down. Thing is, the initial resistance towards the Deafhood concept IS going away- once they attend workshops, read the book by Dr. Paddy Ladd, and/or join discussion groups. Of course, it's not guaranteed that 100% of the resistance dies away after each workshop, but I must say that there's a high degree of success in that front.
Truth to say, in my nearly-two years on the Deafhood lecture circuit, nearly all of the resistance came from speculation, pre-conceived ideas, and just plain gossip. Almost none of the resistance came from actually attending the workshop, reading the book, and the like. You get the drift?
Deafhood is everybody's to own. More on that in our VP conversation. I eagerly look forward to that, and enjoy your son's graduation! They don't come around often!
DE
Aidan,
I suggest you view my vlog again. I've said it was the system that divided us.
Yes, Deafhood is reaching more people, and that's good. From where I am, this is not the case. Many locals resist the concept of Deafhood here. We did give workshop, but it would be more impactful if we invite one of the original Deafhood presenters such as DE, Ella, Genie, etc. What we did was read from the book and present information and discuss. That is not enough.
I am not saying thumbs down to Deafhood. Like many deafies say, something like this pop up every other generation and many of them go "here we go again," and deflect the concept. So, like DE said, resistance needs to be broken down. Seems the presenters are travelling and reaching a lot of people. That's good to know.
DE and Michele, thank you for speaking up! I, as one with hearing parents, get so sick and tired of seeing all this talk about the "DoD and DoH divide." I don't think there is one, except in perception. Not everywhere has this divide. My area doesn't and it's a metropolitan area with a large deaf community. I think there may be some truth to this, but our constant saying it's there and accusing the other side is actually making it worse and perpetuating it.
Cy, I don't appreciate how you're choosing to paint deafhood, the proponents, and any of that. Genie Gertz is a biggie. I've noticed that you and others who try to pull this concept down by calling it militant conveniently leave her name out every single time. Gee, why is that? Just curious.
Another thing - it is NOT more of the same militant BS you and others think it is. It attempts to break down barriers to unity by saying we are all fabulous just the way we are, regardless of how we were raised and who raised us. We need to focus on our commonalities instead of our differences. I've never heard that before in book form or in a lecture, both among my peers and in the literature I've read during my historical research sessions. I'd like to humbly suggest that people actually READ the book before decrying the concept as militant or elitist.
Another thought - I'm actually seeing a lot of resistance to deafhood from people whose parents are deaf. I'm seeing eager acceptance from many whose parents are hearing. Therefore, your attempt to paint us all with the same color is severely flawed and does not take into account societal realities.
I understood you the first time and you were clear. But the point I disagreed about how you define DOH families. Make sure I make it myself clear that I am not disagreeing you about the system that divided us.
I am glad that DE and you will meet on VP. I promise you will enjoy and learn so much about the Deaf community, the system itself and each other as well.
Congrats to your son for his graduation. I am sure he makes you a proud mom..
AIdan
I suggest bloggers around here please refrain from getting in the habit of saying "let's save more until we get on vp", it is like a presenter and a guest on the stage saying that to the audience.
Aidan,
Like Michelle said, DOH families are different. My experience came from my visits to my childhood friends homes, my DOH friends' statements, narratives, and my own husband - he is a DOH himself. Like I said previously, I was angry with my husband's family for their ignorance and audism but I came to realize they simply did not know any better. It was the system.
Consider yourself fortunate if you did not experience communication barriers, audism, oppression in your own family. I don't hear that too often, Aidan.
Anna Marie,
Sorry. :( DE had asked to VP several times so we could discuss some topics with more depth. Next time anyone asks to VP, I will not publish or copy only partial message as to delete the VP part. How does that sit with you?
Anonymous,
it seems you misunderstood me. I support deafhood. It is the local people who are saying these things and that's what I've seen being said. I'd love to meet Genie and Ella. I think they are awesome people. As presenters, they are paid to provide workshops. It is too bad we cant afford to invite them and hope for them change the way of thinking among our locals.
The resistance of the DOD you referred probably is the older generation? I notice that too. Thus why I say they are saying "Oh here we go agai. This comes every other generation." Why they say that? Because nothing got done their time. It was all talk and no action. That's why they are resisting. We need to change strategies and ACT. Less talk and more action.
Cy :^) that's a good idea about deleting lines. I am also talking about other bloggers who should try to e-mail at least or just have the host delete these lines.
I'm so glad you brought it up. I'm DoH and my boyfriend is DoD. We should not blame each other DoH or DoD because it indeed is nobody's fault. It's the system that caused us into divine as you defined. You're right we need to fix the system to make Deaf of One, not two, DoH and DoD. We need to ACT, not too much prolong talking. In other words, we brought nails and hammers to build the bridge but we put the nails and hammers on the ground because we just wanted to talk. It's ok for us to discuss, feedback, or brainstorm but when will we EVER build the bridge, yet? Actions lie louder than words.
"Strong reasons make strong actions." Wrote by William Shakespeare
I believe that any gravitation toward people with similarities is actually based on communication styles and language preferences, not parental status. I bet if an anthropologist performed an objective analysis then the conclusion would be that strong ASL users gravitate toward each other and that actually there is no unfair discrimination involved, or that if there is it, then is the exception.
Brian,
I am afraid I don't get what you are saying? Seems you're talking about something else.
It is really wonderful to see David Eberwein participate in your vlog. I believe that deaf people are "dehyrated". By that, I mean that we are thirsty to hear more about Paddy Ladd's philosophy on Deafhood. Is it possible for the SBG (Student Body Government) or the Department of Communication Arts to make an arrangement for David, Ella Lentz, Joey Baer, and Genie to come to Washington in the fall to present Ladd's Deafhood in the Elstad Auditorium?
Jean
Yes, the Deafhood presenters ought fly to Gallaudet to present workshops. My guess is in the aftermath of the protest controversy, the SBG's priorities lay elsewhere. Perhaps when the protest-related issues die down, SBG might re-direct their agendas back to the students and culture.
In fact I wish they would travel nationally, but they all have jobs and other commitments which is perfectly understandable!
Hello,
Yes, it is very straightforward fact about the system often confuse DOH, I myself am DOH. But I grew up in ethnic community and my neighbor were Italian Deaf Family. I was already exposed by them. Thank God and I was kind of unique outcast in many ways. I already learned to stand up for my rights. I do not know where I get that from! In fact most of DOH do not understand anything instead of learning one side by one's hearing family and they tend to listen other side of the system more than Deaf, Sadly, DOH have a long way to learn the real world! DOD people grew up in very isoslated environment most of the times. Where DOD were exposed by one another side of the system!
Socrates,
I agree - while DODs are exposed to the "systematic audism" early in life, they are more isolated from the world than the DOHs. DODs have the advantage of early language access and better understanding of their deafness, the downside is being non-inclusive members of the society. Many DODs develop antogostic attitudes towards hearing people and choose to isolate themselves from them. This is something DOHs can help introduce the good side of the hearing world. They see the good side of the hearing world that DODs don't see. My husband is always telling me I miss out by not interacting with hearing people, and after being married to him for nearly 16 years, I've come to realize he is right.
Cy: agreed
Hi, Added a new value add to my blog this weekend - a news widget from www.widgetmate.com. I always wanted to show latest news for my keywords in my sidebar. It was very easy with this widget. Just a small copy paste and it was done. Great indeed.
Post a Comment