Could people here be more politically correct and stop using the term d/Deaf? Just say deaf. No need to perpetuate the division by using old terminology. Its not acceptable any longer.

Thanks.

I agree with you and others here wholeheartedly. The term audist has been applied to any “Tom, Dick, Sally, and Harry”, who have a difference of opinion or say and do something stupid. “Stupid is as stupid does” (Forest Gump). It has nothing to do with anything but just that some people’s way of thinking is just plain ignorance. Intent to put down, or intent to justify a status connected with being hearing bemeaning the one who isn’t is more to the definition of audism.

However, just like racism, and any -ism, people often get confused of its true meaning, or worse yet, fear that that term applies to them and reject its thinking. No one in their right mind purposely plans to be a racist, audist, etc. May not even know it, due to values and beliefs of the families they were born into and without meaning to, come across the wrong way.

John Egbert is a smart dude also, and I think this problem is a shared problem, one that is not going to go away until those of you involved as leaders writing and videoing blogs/vlogs take it upon yourself to practice democracy and ask our community what their thoughts are in order to come to an agreement? In other words, Paotie and John, why not the two of you (since your views appear extremes here) poll people for the definition of audism.

We need to have a clear understanding of this term. concrete consensus about what is audism. Because just like the term “deficit thinking”, there is such a thing as overkill, and terms misused and bent out of shape to the point people are starting to become immune to the word audism. That’s not a good thing.

This bothers me a great deal. When Tom Humphries coined the term in the first place, it was to put a name to an “-ism” of racism, and some folks are even hoping this term can be added to existing laws. So seeing this term become a laughingstock now, really hurts. Why? Replace “audism” for the word “racism”, and realize such are terms are ones we should be using with utmost care to apply to clear situations, and that our community should adopt zero tolerance for either acts, and any type of -ism. We need to bring about a better understanding that will HELP further our community’s goals.

This article raises serious points. Take it one step further as responsible bloggers, get this term cleared up so that everyone can start to use it appropropriately. Yes, there have been some discussions, but not the kind I am talking about. We need to educate our community about specific and serious core examples. If you stop to think about it…it took hmmm, maybe 50+ years for most of America to understand and advocate and publicly take a stand against Racism. Less and less people are willing to throw out the term “racist” at someone without following through with a lawsuit. It’s a serious term, and the cause of it is no laughing matter. Today we see more efforts focusing on diversity and the importance of respecting each other’s differences.

The more we talk about the definition of audism, the more people will understand it and use the term more carefully so that the impact of why its an important term sinks through to those who need to understand this is a practice and or way of thinking that needs to stop. Just like racism.

Chris, as usual great article, thanks for allowing me to share my 2 cents.

Take care.

Tacky, yes, but it was a reminder/explanation to the other students in my residence about that whole lip-reading business.