The Problem of Speaking
I’ve adopted a saying lately: “Nothing is without weight.” I say this to myself in my mind as I go through my day, as my meanderings are halted with the shock of seeing speaking in front of me when I had barely become accustomed to the relief and comfort of visual communication (on what [...]
Signed Languages and the iPad
The coolest thing about the iPad, for me, is that it becomes basically this powerful walking library. Yeah, it has games. Forget that. BOOKS. MOVIES. COMICS. DICTIONARIES. AUGMENTED REALITY PLANETARIUMS. And all this is in your hand – or your backpack. Now, several countries are releasing SL apps and we have the benefit of becoming [...]
The Whiplash of Audism
Two by two, they filed into the Temple of Audism, these hopeful Supplicants to the God Locutus. Within, they met the Oracles of Locutus, with their full beards and smarmy smiles. “Your Child shall be healed,” the Oracles cried. “But first, thee and he must drink from the River Lethe.” “Its waters shall help [...]
THE NAD, THE AFA, AND TWO BELLS
The National Association of the Deaf had recently joined an action against AGB by a group called “Audism Free America,” composed mostly of Deaf people fighting against perceived audism—situations (created or natural) where Deaf people experience discrimination. During this action – which was mostly people and children holding signs, peacefully – one person defaced a [...]
In Which I Call Out The National Association Of The Deaf
I am very disturbed by the news that the National Association of the Deaf has decided to ally with Audism Free America, a militant deaf organization that has defaced private property belonging to the Alexander Graham Bell for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Audism Free America is a militant deaf organization that does not [...]
A Visual Language Manifesto
A concept clouds the minds of mankind, the concept of the importance of human speech. This pernicious idea has caused suffering to deaf people around the world. Human speech is unique in that it requires the organ of the ear to function. It doesn’t matter if you are a Bushman of the Kalahari desert or [...]
What Does It Mean to Be a d/Deaf Woman Living a Life That is Free of Violence? (Part II)
How may our communities support the empowerment of Deaf survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, and stalking? Continue to support Deaf-focused domestic violence organizations in your community. Organizations such as Deaf Abused Women’s Network (D.A.W.N.) in Washington, DC, and Deaf Hope in Oakland, California are still working to erase barriers that keep Deaf survivors of [...]
What Does It Mean to Be a d/Deaf Woman Living a Life That is Free of Violence?
Individually: It means knowing we deserve love, respect and safety. It means feeling secure in our ideas, personal choices, right to autonomy, humanity, and d/Deaf identity. It means that our relationships, friendships, and communities affirm the same to us. It means that in a relationship, we are not demeaned, ignored, or belittled. Our ASL, English, [...]
Pride
In one minute at San Francisco gay pride, I saw… Studly men Cigarettes Cat mustache Glow in the dark jewelry Swaying hips Pink furred boots Penis Thump thump balls Black Porta-potties Glasses Camera flashes Beautiful girls Warm jackets White Hot dogs Drunk Shamble Skateboarding Blue hair Naked Plaque “When I was in the military they [...]
Deaf at the Drive Thru
In the days before iPhones, internet and video chat, the Deaf Community was limited in ways to communicate long distance. Local Deaf Clubs served as a way for deaf people to gather and communicate in the way they were most comfortable, in person. Many thought of the gatherings as a way to preserve American Sign [...]