Below is my response to "Matt," an unknown commenter, in which we had a lively discussion in a previous blog, "Death of Deafhood?" I decided to put my response here since it would be too long to respond in a comment box that already limits a certain number of words allowed.
Matt: 1.) It was never his journey. It was a research conducted by Paddy (he was an oralist, btw.) in both the states and UK.
Mike: It was a thesis of his, I know. He related his own experiences through his own research on "finding deafhood" and to be used as a "guide" for others to use. In fact, in his Acknowledgement page he said and I quote, "My persnal journey in search of self and Deafhood has been assisted or supported by so many people....."; "Every word of this text and my life has been infused by some special sources largely hidden from view...."'; and "And so the 25-year journey arrives at this plateau." Doing research was his own journey of discovery. He also peppers a lot of his personal experiences such as explaining, "Being orally mainstreamed to a secondary school level of English literacy, I am situated outside this experience. English remains my first language. Twenty-six years of BSL use hsa brought me 'inside' to some degree, but mastering every...."; and "My account is focused mainly on the UK..." Again, I am aware it's a research/thesis of his regarding the understanding of deafness and self, and the journey about it. I have already said that "deafhood" is simply a concept. A philosopical musing of his imbedded in his research based on his own observations...others and his.
Matt: 2.) Yes, the term "Deafhood" wasn't around back then, but the feeling definitely was. Take the class to understand more.
Mike: No thanks. Until people actually walk the walk and include everybody with hearing loss, only then would I reconsider. Their past actions betray them. Inclusivity was never in their vocabulary because it would undoubtedly betray their agenda.
Matt: 3.) It's really really obvious right now that you have zero idea of what Deafhood is, and their participants are. The statement of yours - the one that says that Deafhood divides the community - couldn't be any further from the truth. Not saying this to throw a jab, but to make it really clear.
Mike: Matt, before I go further, why the anonymity on using your first name, if that is your real name? Secondly, "deafhood" is simply a concept. I have covered this many times over the years in my blogging since 2006 when "deafhood" first surfaced. Maybe what you may not realize is the self-hypocrisy at work within a community?
I never said "deafhood" divides the community. Rather, it's the people who insist on belonging in a closed society as I have explained numerous times in my blogs over the years. It's the people who insist on political correctness. It's the people who tries to move the goal post. It's the people who claimed "deafhood" helped them "understand" yet attack those who have other opinions or disagrees with their assertions or opinions. I have said many times in my blog, it's much easier to simply respect deaf/hh people for who they are and not about what they are. This is much better than politicizing "deafhood" and obsessing so deeply about the inequality of life that each of us has experienced on different levels and scales. I'd say, please, walk the walk first. If you believe it so deeply in the gospel of "deafhood" why the anonymity?
Matt: Right now you're judging it by a glimpse of the book cover. I suggest you take the workshop. I guarantee you that there will be a diverse group of people in that room with you. There were a few of oralists in the class I took. After the class was done, we felt closer to one other.
Mike: No. I have researched this. Discussed with those who did take those workshops. Some were culturally deaf from deaf families. The problem is that in America (rather than the UK) certain groups of people took the concept of "deafhood" and politicized it every which way possible in the name of political correctness for their deaf culture. Some believe there's an agenda afoot. My view is, as I have said many times in my blogs over the years on "deafhood," that a person's journey is deeply personal and private. Each of our own journey is unique from the time we are born to the time we die. There are some overlaps on our experiences, sure, but we do not travel the same journey as with the next person. Our paths simply intersects at various points in time and see things the same way but it doesn't mean both journeys are the same from beginning to end. Simply put.
Matt: Deafhood is basically about the fact every Deaf person shares one thing in common - deafness. You cannot deny that.
Mike: I never denied that. Please show me where I have said that. I challenge you to find somewhere in my 2000+ plus blog entries that I denied that we do not share a common trait and that is hearing loss (as opposed to your "Deaf"). Use my blog's search feature to find what you are claiming. Good luck.
The problem here is when people try and politicize "deafhood" to fit their own agenda. Which is why "Deafhood? No thanks" FB came about. It's better to simply respect people for who they are rather than on what they are (i.e. Deaf/deaf/hard of hearing). The focus should not be about our disabilities (i.e. our deafness) but as a human being who go through our own unique journey. Seriously, Matt, I have covered this many times since 2006. If you like "deafhood" and it makes you feel happy and secure then knock yourself out. As for me, no thanks.
Matt: Deafhood Foundation has made it clear that they're still in their formative stages and is willing to hear suggestions on how to make things better. Your question is valid, the one with why there is no interpreter provided. Butch Zein, the instructor, actually mentioned that in our class and they're working on it - thought you'd like to know that tidbit.
Mike: Certainly, they're in their formative stages. I have provided a challenge in my blogs several times for them and that is to walk the walk regarding inclusivity of anyone who has a hearing loss and whether they know ASL or not, or are AGBell members, HLAA members, strict oralists, SEE users, CUERs, and so forth to discuss this "deafhood journey" of yours. And ensure that they receive the same communication access as the next person who may or may not know sign language. They have not done that nor will they do it whole scale because they have deeply politicized the whole deaf culture thing intermingling with cochlear implant issues, language development, educational settings, oral trainings, audiologists, the medical field and terminologies, and so on. In short, they made themselves completely incompatible with the rest of the 98% of the hearing loss population (36 million people with hearing loss). Or from your viewpoint you could say that the 98% made themselves completely incompatible with the 2% of the people who are culturally deaf. It'd be a farce to fully expect they all will embrace your new goal moving post the new term "Deaf" to mean them, too. It'd be just as horrifying for you if they expect you will accept the word "hearing impaired." Sorry. It simply will not work as long as people continue to politicize the whole concept of deaf culture to fit their own agenda, whatever they may be.
Matt: And re: my usage of Deaf for everyone. You have mentioned in the past that you love the English language. The beauty of languages: they have the ability to evolve over time. Words change meanings. You may be right, Deaf has it's own meanings. I've made my definition clear - and I hope it changes the definition for everyone. I do not want people to feel that they're a lesser Deaf person by putting the d label on them. If they want to label theirselves as deaf, that's fine with me. It's not my job to decide for them.
Mike: Consider that not all of the 98% of the hearing loss population (36 million) will accept the new word "Deaf" to mean them, too. Especially when it's already been defined to mean culturally deaf people only. It simply won't work expecting the masses will agree to the new term. This is all about serving their own agenda regarding their deaf culture, ASL, deaf education, and language development. We saw that hideous development during the AB2072 debacle. That's "deafhood" for you instead of considering a more open society concept.
Matt: This will be my last response re this topic. I really hope you take the opportunity to take the class one day. I guarantee you will take something with you from the class.
Mike: I have no interest because they have shown not to "walk the walk" and prefers to keep to their own status quo. Like I said, if you like using the feel good "deafhood" term and feel secure about it, then by no means do not stop on account of me. Go ahead and spread your "gospel." But remember, Pres. Hurtwitz re-iterated the key point that ICED issued a global call to "accept and respect all languages and all forms of communication" in the education of deaf and hard of hearing people. "Deafhood" is an ideological concept born of a culturally deaf person specifically and targeted to mostly a limited culturally deaf audience. So, therein lies the conundrum.