By Sheri Farinha Mutti
Recent events in the Deaf world and beyond shocked the nation with news stories about blatant acts of racism such as the “Jena 6″ or “MSSD 7″ incidents, viewed as a hate crimes, with complications still unfolding. The response to such incidents sparked a dialogue amongst various members of the Deaf community showing mixed reactions of either horror or denial.
Up until a mere 40 years ago, deaf people of different skin colors or ancestries were not even allowed to join local Deaf clubs or national Deaf organizations. Since that time, we have been slow to neither truly tackle the dilemma or discuss just how to educate ourselves in order to prevent social injustices from occurring over and over again. All too often when we see the word “racism” we think it doesn’t apply to us, or when situations occur that are obvious acts of racism or a hate crime, there tends to be a great deal of denial.
Lorraine Flores also shares her thoughts on the issue in this vlog:
To take a stand and bring this issue to the forefront, with the acceptance that racism is still very much alive in our community, a collective wisdom of Deaf leaders got together to express their views and here’s what they had to say:
Hate crime toward both Caucasians and Persons of Color is systematic and individual Racism at its worst. It is a disturbing symptom in America that we still don’t always practice ‘mutual respect’. It is time to build an optimistic future where our unique differences and diverse backgrounds can truly strengthen us and lead to peaceful resolutions of our cultural conflicts. The ideal action then is to accept our responsibility of educating ourselves and our children on the appropriate steps to identify subtle and overt forms of Racism and Hate crime; and to empower and protect ourselves as self-advocates, preventing it from happening again, in our lives, and in our community.
-Karen (Tong-Bregman) Wilson, President, National Asian Deaf Congress
Racism must be everybody’s problem, not just Deaf people of color’s. Being too slow to respond lowers people’s self-esteem and damages our moral integrity. Racism = prejudice + power. It’s discrimination, exclusion, restriction, different treatment upon people of different ethnicity or skin color by another for group privilege, backed by power. We must address it on two levels — individual and systematic for it to be really effective.
-Kristi Merriweather
Racism isn’t born, it’s taught.
– Amy Cohen Efron
Prior to his murder shortly before the Wounded Knee Massacre, Chief Sitting Bull said, ‘I am a red man. If the Great Spirit had desired me to be a white man he would have made me so in the first place. He put in your heart certain wishes and plans, in my heart he put other and different desires. Each man is good in his sight. It is not necessary for Eagles to be Crows…’
It is sad that several centuries after Chief Sitting Bull’s quote, skin color and racial backgrounds continue to be the target of bigoted and racist acts. We should all respect, honor and celebrate our diversity and the diversity of others, yet remember that we are all part of the same Earth.
-Damara Paris, a Cherokee and Blackfoot descendant
Racism means owning up to the inner self’s repository of socialized attitudes, stereotypes, prejudice, bigotry and hatred simple mindedly based on the physical attributes of another rather than his or her character, examining carefully what corrosive effects these values have caused, and then releasing them through constructive dialogue and action with your brothers and sisters from every corner of the community.
-Jeff Rosen
If I voice my opinion as a Deaf Latina woman, people don’t value my opinion because they haven’t walked in my shoes. They haven’t experienced my daily frustrations. People often don’t realize that some of us live with double (or more) oppression. For example, as a Deaf person, I am also oppressed by hearing people expecting me to meet their needs by talking and hearing. As a Latina person, I’m labeled with stereotypes. Within Deaf community, I feel my language is criticized because I grew up with hearing parents who did not sign. What I often experience is triple whammy.
-Lorraine Flores
Racism anywhere hurts EVERYBODY. Our opportunity to grow as healthy people is stunted.
Audism anywhere hurts EVERYBODY and stunts our growth as well. If we have failed in fighting audism, unfortunately we will also fail in fighting racism.
– Ella Mae Lentz
You know, if we do nothing, we are part of the problem. When people speak out against racism to resolve this issue, then we need to get behind that person and protect that person’s integrity by defending them against attacks by others. We, the deaf and hard of hearing community need to work together to banish hatred, and we need to understand that if one person whether it be a black, white, brown or yellow skinned person, performs a crime, we have to look at it in a broad sense and stop painting everyone with the same brush. Enough is enough; can’t we just learn to get along?
-Marcella M. Meyer
If we want to end Racism, we must first adjust our attitudes and ideas towards those of a different race than ourselves. It has been shown that these negative attitudes/opinions are not harmless, because when we think negatively of our fellow man it promotes prejudice. These prejudices not only are the basis for individual acts of discrimination, but they also allow people to rationalize and justify unfair and destructive personal, institutional and corporate practices.
-Deborah Broadus-Muskauski
There is systematic racism in our Deaf community. For instance, it is more far punitive if you are caught for pulling false fire alarm on Gallaudet campus than it is to commit acts of racism. Something is wrong with this picture. It takes a team of Deaf leaders of color and their allies to create systemic changes for zero tolerance for racism. A true ally will allow himself or herself to be vulnerable and truly embrace the cries of racism experienced by the Deaf people of color.
-Julie Rems-Smario
Domino effects are set into motion with racism. They cannot be contained or ignored. John Donne in ‘For whom the bell tolls’ frames the fact that no person is an isolated island and that every person is affected whenever the bell tolls. Thus any kind of ‘ism’ diminishes and defeats us all. It is neither possible nor acceptable to compartmentalize, explain away or bury racism. Doing so inevitably precipitates a chorus of bells, tolling for our humankind and community. Racism must be addressed and stemmed with knowledge and concerted actions.
-Dr. Roz Rosen
Discrimination in any shape or form is unacceptable. Even as we address racism and audism, we must also address the phenomenon of deaf persons discriminating against other deaf persons. The NAD has zero tolerance for all of this, and is now undergoing diversity training at the board level. This training is also being carried out at the regional level, which will then move on to the national level, including collaboration with key national organizations. We will not stop there. Dialogue that is honest and respectful is needed on all fronts, so that we can become more aware and learn from each other. Every one of us must also be mindful of our own biases and not inflict these on others. Only when we truly open our minds and hearts can we effectively move forward as a community — together.
-Bobbie Beth Scoggins, President, National Association of the Deaf
Racism — this is quite evident within the deaf community when we look at our schools, colleges, and organizations of deaf people. Who are the deciders? Who exercises power and control? Who’s in the ‘left behind’ and ‘powerless’ positions? Whose norms and ‘lens’ have overriding influence on how we talk about deaf people and our community? How we going to change our attitudes and behaviors and demolish those compartments and boxes that divide our community into ‘us’ and ‘them’? I suspect that change is going to be slow and difficult. Why? Because with power and control come privileges (such as white privilege). Those who have power and control are unlikely to willingly give up their privileges.
-Dr. Glenn Anderson
Racism is looking at people’s skin and making preconceived judgments about the person. It is hateful, hurtful and, most of all, disrespectful. Treat people with respect and judge them for their inner-self, not their skin color or their culture. Put value on the PERSON, rather than the color of their skin, what they look like or where they come from.
-Andy Lange
First of all, the act of racism is not tolerated. It is sad that racism is happening with the Deaf community because we of all people should understand what it is like to be discriminated against solely by our ‘being’. Racism is just as intolerable as audism is, whether it is oppression from outside group or sister against sister. If we want to stop racism within the Deaf community we have to stop audism so that the practice of racism is eliminated as well. I believe that audism and racism go hand-in-hand and it starts with the self.
–Diana Herron
In order to combat the insidious problems of racism in our community, each of us need to take the time to re-examine the things we take for granted. Even if we do not personally and overtly judge others based on their race, we should be aware of the tendency for race to color the ‘first impression’ and subsequent ‘judgment’ of others in our community.
–Ari Ogoke
What’s ironic is that the Deaf community as a minority has already experienced oppression and audism, you would think we would have already developed greater understanding to be more compassionate of those who are Deaf of color, but it is not happening. We need to re-design and monitor the curriculum in Deaf education to enhance more sensitivity and awareness of the diversity of Deaf America. We need to create safe spaces to share memories and explore identities and heritage — this can be very powerful through blogging and vlogging that will be proven highly effective in changing individuals lives.
-Barb Di Giovanni
In the end racism is really about self-hatred. I firmly believe that you cannot hate someone else for any reason — skin color, gender, sexual orientation, hearing ability or deafness, whatever — without hating yourself first. To hate someone in the first place requires a willingness to go to a level where you can continue to generate anger and hostility and resentment day in and day out. To do such a thing is a decision. Hate isn’t automatic. It’s something you learn. Hate doesn’t power itself. You give it power. So if you’re looking at somebody who is different from you (which is everybody when you get right down to it) and deciding to see only the things you detest, why should you expect that something else will happen the next time you look in the mirror?
–Chris Heuer
Racism and all other ‘isms’ imposed on the Deaf community by the majority society must be confronted and eradicated. We can start by having a meaningful dialogue through vlogs, conventions such as Deaf People of Color, and in-person discussions where everyone feels safe and where clear/direct communication is used.
-David Eberwein
Once we understand what Racism is, we can hopefully try harder to be more conscious of our actions and words that may hurt others whether you mean it or not. Recent events should serve as a wake up call to realize that the cycle of racist acts and social injustice continues to be perpetuated through deaf individuals young and old. This cycle can stop with all of us. Take action by saying “no” or “not acceptable” when we witness racist jokes or statements, or see one group exert power over another of a different heritage or race. The more people in our community who take action against this kind of behavior, the more prevalent our respect for one another shall be. You can help create a DEAF world without Racism. Click here to see “how to” tips from the YWCA “Eliminating Racism Empowering Women”.
Join us. Take a stand.
Sheri Farinha Mutti is the CEO of the NorCal Center on Deafness, Sacramento, California. She is a nationally recognized consumer advocate dedicated to improving the lives of deaf and hard of hearing individuals. Sheri has been involved locally, statewide, and nationally on various issues for equal rights in telecommunications, education, and civil rights. She is married to Steven Mutti and they have two teenaged children.
Sheri would like to give a special thanks to Lorraine Flores from northern California for doing the Video Production.
© Copyrighted material. This article cannot be copied, reproduced or redistributed without the express written consent of the author. As with every blog on this website, this blog does not reflect the opinion of DeafDC.com.
With all due respect to the quoted individuals above, I would like to venture my not-so-humble opinion. While it’s great that we’re opening dialogue about racism, I cannot help but feel that only the quotes from those belonging to minorities carry actual substance, while the others seem to be full of cliches, sound-bites, however you want to call fluff. It’s easy to make money quotes anyday, but it’s much harder to actually know what you’re talking about. People who do not encounter discrimination or racism on a daily basis are more apt to see it as an aberration. If they truly felt the cumulative psychological and economic impact that racism has on people of minorities, then perhaps they would be more inclined to take meaningful (and proactive) action, instead of just sitting back and spewing forth pearls of wisdom that are already obvious to the rest of us.
Do not see this as criticism. It’s just a honest observation on my part.
In order to take action to combat racism, it is necessary to discuss about it in the open first. I don’t see this topic being discussed often through blogs/vlogs in the Deaf community let alone in DeafRead so just allow these leaders spearhead the ugly issue by sharing their thoughts that will eventually help the rest of us to take it more in serious consideration.
Remember, we need to talk about it, identify the culprit of the problems and brainstorm possible solutions. I have noticed that there are some quotes above making comments on what NEEDS to be done as it is not all just spewing forth pearls of wisdom.
Please don’t see this as criticism as well but an idea or a theory on what this can lead to that we are hoping to see, the light of the end of the tunnel, that is.
I understand what you are saying, and I heartedly agree that the topic should be openly addressed in a way that allows a healing dialogue to emerge. With this end in mind, the topic has been addressed repeatedly on Gallynet-L….often hotly, rarely sensibly by some..but it is addressed. It is sometimes denied, sometimes shunted aside and pooh-poohed..but it is addressed and often.
Deborah
Hello! Just to offer another perspective…It is true that many individuals in our community have never experienced the “victim” side of racism on a daily basis, however, the difference about this effort is there are many who do witness daily the abuse or racist comments. People whether you are the victim or the witness, do not know how to deal with this when it happens, and the fact of the matter is if people realize they are not alone, we hope they will feel more empowered with all colors of the rainbow standing together here, to do the right thing with the right tips on how, to combat racism and hate crime. In order to get the abuse of racism to stop we need to educate all of us. It takes the whole village to take a stand, not just the people of color, not just the white folks, but ALL of us.
Wow! a lot of ‘racism’ smokescreen going on covering the real problem they’re trying to hide from everyone.
Thank you very much for your most thoughtful words of wisdom, Richard. When may we expect more wit and insight, kind sir?
Care to elaborate on the real problem? Your comment was a good start on a dialogue but it doesn’t give enough information to really respond to, so…
Sure,
We have a Gallaudet University fraternity called the Kappa Gamma and they have a history of doing nasty things to people that have gone against the use of ASL.
It isn’t about rasicsm as a black person was one of the perps. It’s all about a bunch of kids showing off their wiggles to Kappa Gamma.
Kappa Gamma is the real problem that need to be eliminated along with racism.
Richard
Richard,
I understand your ire, no one wants to let any act of violence or unacceptable “ism” go unnoticed, but I must differ with your statement that “It isn’t about rasicsm as a black person was one of the perps.”
This statement simply shows the depth of how uninformed most people are on the issue (this is not an insult, but an observation).
Many of us may not know that a facet of racism is turning on your own people. Feeling powerless to do much against those perceived to be in power, the black man/minority then turns the hate inwards and mimics the very people whom he dispises.
This does not mean that every one that commits an act against another of their race is in fact acting from self-hatred.
I am simply calling it to your attention that because a black/minority was involved does not mean it was not racially motivated.
Hope this helped clear up that misunderstanding.
Mr. Roehm,
It’s true, sir. I’m a KG brother. Thanks to the systematic mindwashing techniques, the last time a male MSSD graduate didn’t enter KG was back in ‘82. How did you know so much? Please tell me. The leak must be stopped.
I can think of at least two male MSSD graduates who entered KG well after 1982…Kelby Brick and Bill Millios.
I may have forgotten others, but I’m sure there are a couple more guys from MSSD in KG after 1982.
(Not that I don’t appreciate your joke, but I thought I’d remind you of Kelby and Bill just in case.)
Bravo! You can see here what is cool who leaders are and they take no tolerance they who do something not talk, complain but these ppl act! Yes! my family and I join you! never before see people together say something for the record. when will rally happen?
Split Snake Tongue - GA Guy, practice what you preach.
Why is it that almost always well known deaf people are always photographed and/or quoted? What about the common deaf people? Look at NAD’s Website you’ll see same old same faces. Gordon, Brubaker and.. (falling asleep already). Ditto for most of Gallaudet, CSD and USADSF. What does that tell you people? While these organizations may intend to be diverse in its mission, they’re still exclusionary in status not having to do with skin-color. Thanks to technology deaf-world is getting bigger AND smaller. Look at the same old same people talking on DeafDC, GallyNet like its a little tea club. Outreach is far in ranges.
I agree with you, somewhat. I had to chuckle at the selection of the people there… is the Deaf community really that small, for us to see the same people over and over again. Who care what Bobbie Beth Scoggins thinks… I want to know what Joe Blow thinks.
For separate reasons, I find David Eberwin’s response revealing. He’s shifting the responsibility here. Blaming the hearing society for our ills? It’s always us against them…
The hearing are responsible for a lot of our problems, but I agree.. this one, we have to take ownership for it. And yes, DE’s comment is quite revealing. :P
In defense of David Eberwein, I think his point is that racism/sexism/anti-semitism and just about all the other “isms” are products of the larger Hearing society. We Deaf people get exposed to and internalize these attitudes from the larger society because we 1) are typically born into Hearing families (90% of us), 2) we live and work among Hearing people and 3) we see these attitudes in the mainstream media (movies, TV) and in print. So, it is no wonder that even though as Deaf people, we should be more sensitized to this issue, we are not because it is so prevalent in our society (Hearing and Deaf).
I also have to add, there is nothing new about this issue. When I was a student in (ironically?) MSSD almost 30 years ago, there was a small group of classmates that made anti-semitic actions to me (I am also Jewish). I didn’t do anything about it at the time, but I was disgusted by their actions.
As Deaf people who face audism every day of our lives, we should stand united against all the societal ills of prejudice and hatred and examine our own thoughts and behavior in these areas and try to do something about it within our community. United we stand, divided we fall!
Explain “common deaf people”…
Isn’t forums like DeafDC help bring here “common deaf people” to discussion various issues and topics?
Perhaps every deaf and Deaf forums should have links to each others forums allowing greater outreach? Even if it means linking to forums that are frequented with AGBell supporters or are oralists and such?
Exactly how do we go about “reaching out” to those “common deaf people” nowadays and hear what they have to say?
I can’t use the edit feature for some reason…
Correction: Do forums like DeafDC help bring in “common deaf people” to discuss various issues and topics?
Of course, McConnell. All of people who post in here are definitely “common deaf people”.
But then again, the heading of your website declares you’re “swimming in a sea of incompetence.”
So by your website heading, you’re uncommon and we’re all common.
that quote is wrong…
How big is a sea anyways…?
Wrong? Gee…okay, let me go back to your website and look at it again.
It says:
“KOKONUT PUNDIT
A true and patriotic American thinker among a sea of incompetence.”
See? It’s “among” not “swim.”
GAH! Nitpicking on one word, while completely ignoring the larger point Michele was making. And now you’re acting victorious, because of one word - and either way, you’ve ignored what Michele was really saying.
That’s your MO, McConnell.
No. Just clarifying.
“Uncommon people” or “common people” has nothing to do with the status on the level of “competency.” People should already know that and I don’t need to sit here and explain that.
Michelle is simply projecting, and continues to put words into my mouth. If she has issues, so be it.
Actually, it can mean competency, McConnell.
http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/common
If you look at 5a, it will tell you that.
Whether “common” deaf people post here or not… I don’t think very many do. You need a high proficiency in English to be able to hold your own on here. Heck, I’ve had some famous vloggers tell me that they’re intimidated by DeafDC, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with their English skills.
Deaf professionals tend to comment on here, and professionals are a bit different than the common people.
So, you’re saying that “common deaf people” wouldn’t post much here but more likely deaf professionals? Yet common people who happen to be hearing would have no problem coming here to discuss and debate? Or are we saying that deaf people with poor English skills are really those “uncommon” people then? Like I said, the “competency” word I put down has nothing to do about “common” or “uncommon” people else you want to open up a Pandora Box. That quote of mine was not specific to any one particular group based on hearing status alone but rather those people who happen to be the incompetent ones.
Let’s not read that “incompetent” quote too much shall we, folks?
McConnell…I don’t know if anyone has ever given you feedback about your website heading, but I want to give you my feedback while we’re talking about this subject.
I hate that heading, because it sets an incredibly negative tone for your website and it does not make me feel welcome. In fact, it makes me want to avoid your website because your heading makes it clear that you view yourself as being above everyone else, and since I see that heading the first thing when I see your website, I have no choice but to conclude that I’m one of the “incompetents”.
So…if you want people to feel welcome in your website, I’d recommend that you change your website heading.
Deaf Spook and nwh, I want to read/hear/watch what you, ‘Joe Blow’, or anyone may think about racism within the Deaf Community.
Would you like to chime in your thoughts or submit your own quote(s) on this blog? This blog entry with a video, is a good initiative to start the dialogue amongst ourselves. Thank you DeafDC for starting this ground-breaking event, by incorporating video on your blog!
For me personally -
I was born as color-blind, and it was until my parents showed me that there are colors, and then they taught me about the differences of these colors. I want to be ‘untaught’ about the differences. I am aware how pervasive racism exists within the system, especially the institutional, economical, educational, political and social systems.
I personally have seen racism been practiced covertly and overtly in Deaf schools, along with audism.
Everyday I deal with audism, sexism, and antisemitism, but not racism. First impression of me, I dealt with sexist experience, yet I was privileged to get what I want compared to my peers of color. My audistic experience came next when I have a communication breakdown with another person. My antisemitic experience started when I moved out of New York City, where there are fewer Jewish people, and ended staying home on Sundays where my friends go to church.
In closing - I was taught to see different colors, that comes with hurt, pain, fear, distrust, and ignorance. I want to stop seeing the differences now. Can we?
Amy Cohen Efron,
Nice comment. I think consistent exposure to a variety of people goes a long way in removing stereotypes and discrimination. Babies don’t think about people’s race, culture, or background, when deciding to play with them. We should strive to keep that kind of attitude throughout our lives.
Why are we repeatedly mentioning audism when it has absolutely has nothing to do with racism, except for the fact that both end in -ism? Just because somebody has experienced audism does not necessarily mean that person is qualified to deconstruct racism.
I think it has more to do with identification of a common denominator, racism hurts, audism, hurts, sexism hurts, etc. People who have never experienced racism as a victim, have experienced discrimination of audism. Some people have experienced both. You are correct that this effort is about specifically addressing Racism and hate crime. Recognize those who bring up other “isms” as a sign of their intent to indentify with this issue thru by what they know and have experienced.
This is an on-going dialouge, for some a courageous step. If you have a quote that explains your stand, feel free to share, & join us. Lets get to the heart of the matter, but first, free yourself of your own prejudices before you can judge someone else by what they are saying.
Thanks.
Kudos to the leaders of the Deaf community for bringing up this sensitive and serious topic. I have seen plenty of dialogue on audism. But not enough on racism. This is a good start, but still just barely scratching the tip of the deaf iceberg.
In response to the connection between audism and racism, they ARE connected, to each other and to ALL the other -ISMS. In fact, I believe we should never prioritize oppressions. Therefore, racism is equally as important to speak up about and fight against as audism, sexism, homophobia, classism, ableism, anti-semitism, ageism, and so forth.
To say that racism and other oppressions do not exist within the Deaf community would be an outrage! It would be denying the problem, and minimizing the impact it has on every level of our lives, personal and institutional. Sheri hit it right on the nose when she said we do not have to be targets of racism in order to speak up against it and to support those who have been prejudiced against.
As Deaf people we need to speak up about violence and oppression done to us by members of the outside group. We also need to speak up about the violence and oppression done to us by members of our own Deaf community.
In response to Marcella’s comment, yes we can learn to get along. In response to Amy’s question, I don’t know if I want to stop seeing the differences. That is part of what makes life beautiful for me, different cultures, languages, ways of being. NAD’s Zero Tolerance policy is NOT ENOUGH. The policy should also include unconditional endorsement of an ethics that meets the needs of Deaf people, in all their identities and differences.
Why do you need me to be “qualified?” If we had to experience murder from a victim’s viewpoint before we could qualify to discuss it, nobody would be able to for one glaringly obvious reason.
Now murder isn’t racism, but I don’t see why racism should get some kind of special status just as a concept in and of itself. If I don’t have to have been raped in order to qualify to say that rape is bad, why can’t I say that racism is about self-hatred without needing to qualify somehow before I can say it?
Would you like to know what I think racism has in common with almost every other hot political topic in this community? Someone’s always trying to seize control of it and wield it like a club. You get bashed over the head for trying to talk about deaf children because you’re not a parent of one. And you get bashed over the head for trying to talk about the quality of education in Institution Z because you don’t work there. You can’t talk about administrators because you’re not an administrator. The list goes on and on.
My opinion on those types of arguments? Pure crap. It’s like saying you’re not qualified to talk about why oil is bad for the environment because you don’t own a car or work in the oil industry. People can imagine and extrapolate and reason, you know. Last time I checked, no particular skin color had a monopoly on those skills.
Sorry if that sounds harsh. I’m sick of being intimidated away from discussing the very topics so many people are pissed off about because nobody is discussing enough.
Eberwein, not Eberwin. Can you, the author, make this change?
Great article and I hope it gets the ball rolling - this is a serious issue.
Fixed.
Re: comment 90507 (Chris Heuer)
I apologize if I have offended you. That was not my intent at all. I agree with you that nobody should be prevented from participating in this discourse. Perhaps I did not word my question as carefully as I should have.
What I want here is nothing but raw honesty. I very much appreciate Ms. Mutti’s initiative in publishing a blog of this nature. That is a good start. Now that we’ve covered all the PC terrority, can we take a quick look at the above quoted individuals and the content of their insights? Do you notice that not one person of a racial minority raises the issue of audism? But, yet, those carring the white privilege feel “qualified” to do so? Why do you think that is so?
Nothing but raw honesty here, please.
I think our esteemed Slemo explained why Blacks don’t expound on Audism very much. Racism has a daily impact on our lives..Audism is secondary to that.
This is not to say that Audism is not important; however, Racism, in all the systematic, corporate and personal attitudes has a more powerful and immediate negative impact on the lives of many minorities.
Anonymous, do you realize that one way to interpret what you just said is that I’m ALREADY not using anything other than “raw honesty?” What the hell did I ever do to you to deserve that kind of suspicion?
Different people have different concerns. There’s nothing wrong with this. It’s not “either/or,” here, as if a priority with fighting audism MUST come at the expense of a priority with fighting racism. I don’t know if you’re deaf, but if you are, just because your priority is with racism, does that mean you don’t care about the despicable things that happen to deaf people of all colors, day in and day out?
You see, you SAY you don’t mean to offend me, but I sense the hostility there nonetheless. To you it’s all PC. It can’t possibly be how I honestly feel. How much have I already been judged by you before I ever made a move, either to say something, to write something, to DO something? Suppose I get on with the “doing” part of it and organize some kind of activity on campus in which people can learn about racism? What’s to stop you and your hostility and from saying something like “Oh, so he set up a movie and discussion night at Gallaudet… that’s all very nice and cute, but when is he REALLY going to do something?”
And beyond that, let me ask you another question… how do you “qualify” to tell me what my true motives and feelings are? What do you know about me? Can you prove that your interpretations of my words and actions is the correct interpretation?
This is exactly why I stopped commenting on Gally-Net. I’m willing to discuss anything. But I don’t deserve to have my ass shot off for taking a step forward. I don’t expect anyone to sing praises of my name. But I’m not going to be anyone’s punching bag either. I am White, and yes, my race is responsible for some pretty horrible sh*t. I acknowledge that freely.
But I’m also an individual, free to reject the negative teachings of my race (whether overt or subtle), and I think that’s something we should recognize, the line between the individual and the race. If I’m going to get attacked for whatever I do, and if people start justifying those attacks because as a White Male (if not as an individual) I somehow deserve it, then sooner or later the world that’s going to become acceptable to us is the one in which someone throws a brick through my window because he doesn’t like how I *fight racism.* And then if I fall silent so he’ll stop throwing bricks, he then throws another brick through my other window because he doesn’t like my SILENCE.
If that’s Social Justice, I’d better start putting bars up over my windows, hey?
Chris, I appreciate your raw honesty. Both you and Michele have indicated you feel jumped on when you do try to show support, but as Michele said, it has to be on “their terms” only.
This is part of the problem why a dialouge starts, and then never finishes because respect does not seem evident. Trust isn’t evident. So, why bother having a dialouge in the first place, hmm? On the other hand, people like Deb and others out there see their color first because they deal with it every day, racism is in front, and around them everday. Why should they trust what anyone has to say? Some would even go as far to say that black folks seem to think they are the ONLY color in the “people of color” because they feel that their issues of oppression have been around longer than any other issue. At the same time, and for probably as long, white folks like Chris have been apologizing for the sins of their fathers way back. We need to also remember, the are other cultures, my own ancestry included, other races who deal with racism who handle it differently than the black culture does. Overall, trust isn’t there.
I’m no saint but wasn’t it Mother Theresa who said, “If you want to make peace, you don’t talk to your friends. You talk to your enemies”, hmm?
If we want to see change happen, we gotta start with our own attitudes to change within to be able to pave way for the future generations.
Sheri, you’re still missing the point.
I don’t “feel jumped on”…I WAS jumped on, period.
All because I had the balls to suggest a new idea that people of color didn’t like and didn’t agree with.
THEN three of them (of which Deborah was one…the other two were Ari and Kristi) felt entitled to CONTINUE the argument off GallyNet and brought that argument INTO *my* private email, without my consent and permission.
In essence, I found myself carrying on the argument on TWO fronts: on GallyNet AND in my private email.
You say we gotta change “our” own attitudes? I don’t think so, Sheri. I know exactly what my attitudes are…and I have always supported deaf/Deaf minorities.
But what happened to me in GallyNet was BROWBEATING, pure and simple.
And because it was done by three people of color does not excuse their actions.
You know, Sheri, I’d like to say something too.
I worked in the inner city schools in Milwaukee for five years before coming out to Gallaudet. In two schools in particular, 90% black student body in most of the ones where I worked, another 2% Hmong and Hispanic, and the remainder white. Gang violence fairly rampant then and worse today from what I hear. While I was there, one teaching assitant was held up at gunpoint outside the side door of the school literally about eight feet from the deaf ed classroom on that side of the building. Another teacher sprayed in the face with a fire extinguisher. Fights every week, it seemed. And things much worse. You work there for five years, you will see it all, I promise you.
Who here wants to suggest that audism can’t possibly have anything to do with racism and racial tensions? At that time I worked there, do you know what the emergency call system consisted of? A phone. Voice phone. If you got in trouble you were supposed to call on this thing and a security guard would come help you out.
So anyway one day I get this student who’s angry at me because I’m not letting him get out of his work. So he wraps his combination lock around his knuckles and says he’s going to beat the _____ out of me. And I’m stuck there with a friggin’ phone having to fend for not only myself but also another six or seven high school kids in the room. So the connection between racism and audism? Based on what I’ve seen, society doesn’t give too much of damn about deaf people OR people of color, and God help you if you happen to be both.
Do I qualify now? Notice I haven’t mentioned the kid’s race yet, and you know what? I’m not gonna. Would’t it be something if you all assume he’s black but instead turns out to be Hmong or Hispanic? Can a black person “understand” the racial suffering of a Hmong person? How? If deaf people suffer differently for different resons–differently enough to be so divided as a community–why can’t people of color suffer differently and for different reasons under racism? And why can’t white people suffer from racial tensions as well? (I’ll avoid the word racism in this one instance because I’ll agree that White people do generally hold power in this society but let me tell you something, as one of the only white people in the room–and probably the whole wing of the friggin school–that day, I wasn’t really feeling like my race was going to help me out, you know?)
Anyway, just off the top of your heads, do I qualify now? If not, how much more needs to happen before I can? If I’ve spent the last fifteen years of my career working with students of all colors and doing my best as a teacher, that doesn’t qualify as “doing something” because______? That means I stood by and let racism fester because _______? Help me out here. I want to understand, really. Do I need to have some new kid of _____ skin color take a swing at me? Or get mugged or stabbed or by one, maybe? Before I qualify, I mean? Are you so sure I haven’t been?
What’s the criteria, exactly?
And am I a bad person, a racist somehow, for playing the “Oh look at the misery I’ve lived in, look at what I’ve faced” card? Or have I gained some special status now because of the places I’ve worked in? If so, that’s a pretty sick thing either way, don’t you think? Because if the answer is still no, it means that even *those* things aren’t considered enough for me to have had some experience with the realities of inner city life (which includes racism) in order to qualify to talk about those realities. And if the answer is yes, then it means that I qualified only by going through things nobody should have to go through.
Name one person here who asked me anything about what I’ve gone through before saying I can’t possibly have any idea of what I’m talking about. You won’t find a name, because nobody did. And nobody that I know of asked Sheri, or Andy, or Barbara, or anyone else. It’s just assumption.
White = “doesn’t know.”
How the hell is dialogue supposed to take place in the midst of those types of assumptions?
Fighting to end Racism does not require you to be a member of any exclusive club.
Anyone who sees the injustice of Racism, and any -isms and wants to join, can.
It’s an honor to have you work along side with us. The more who join, the more powerful our stand becomes the next time we see an injustice occur, we can all speak out together.
Thank you.
My sincerest apologies. I was inaccurate in my recent statement; I would like to retract that part (where I said that none of the minorities raised audism). Nonetheless, my same question stands, eagerly waiting to be answered.
You want raw honesty? I do, too.
But my previous experience in GallyNet taught me that although people of color *claim* they want to talk about racism, the *truth* is that they want to talk about it on THEIR TERMS.
They do not want to hear anything new from white people.
And if, as a white person, you should utter anything new (that they don’t agree with or don’t like), they will gang up on you.
That happened to me and I am not going throug this again.
That’s the raw truth. Everything you read in the above article all are “safe” statements.
Something like if one talks about “Deafism”?
Hello Michele, I had wondered where you had gotten to. :)
I thought you wanted “raw honesty”? I believe that is what we were experiencing on GallyNet. Many of us usually forget that open dialogue gives each poster the opportunity to not only read what the other side has to say, but also to reject what is said.
In order to work effectively against Racism, we need to approach the issue as a team, don’t you agree? However, this may be difficult because many are not trained in teamwork.
In fact, Recent surveys, including our own National Employee Attitude Survey, show that teamwork, though a lofty goal in theory and a fact at our overseas competitors, remains elusive in the American workplace, and ((my words), as a consequence in the Deaf culture).
What takes its place? Too often, backbiting, finger pointing, mutual suspicion, and a conspicuous failure to communicate. This is not the way to address the issue of Racism, or any “ism.”
Many have taken a courageous step to try again to cast aside previous misconceptions and have an open dialogue that is RAW and HONEST. Please feel free to post your perspective on Racism and how best to achieve a truce that will allow us to work successfuly towards finally erradicating this method of discrimination
It is hard enough being deaf. We as a community need to realize that when we fight among ourselves we achieve nothing. We should not be each other’s enemy.
Deborah,
I canceled my subscription to GallyNet because of you.
I have no problems discussing topics ON a website, but I do have a problem when certain people (like yourself and two others) specifically sent me PRIVATE EMAILS to MY PRIVATE EMAIL ADDRESS without my permission specifically to browbeat me.
What you did was inexcusable.
And for that reason, you have ZERO credibility with me when you say you want to talk about racism.
I know better, after my experiences with you.
Hi Michele,
I initially was not going to comment..but seeing my name up there with wrong actions attributed to me..was just “irksome.”
First, I have never privately initiated any email with you at anytime. The only conversations that I have had with you can be viewed on the GallyNet archives.
For clarification, another gallynet member emailed you and included my name..I did not initiate the email and was as much in the dark as yourself. This person’s intentions were good…he saw that the dialogue was going nowhere and thought to do an “intervention.”
You have never at any time been “jumped on” those that know me know I know how to make my points strongly, so that there is no doubt about my intentions or what I mean.
You wanted “Raw and Honest” weren’t you able to handle it?
p.s..how am I to blame for what you decided of your own free will? I did not stand over you and hold a gun. You were free to ignore my postings and not respond to them. Therefore, your decision to withdraw from GallyNet had nothing to do with my postings but rather perhaps your own desire to force YOUR views on others?
Then again, we could both be the victims of a hysterical misunderstanding that could be cleared up if we could only have a rational dialogue without all the finger pointing, blaming and false accusations.
Let’s try it!
Whoa. You *never* emailed me privately?
Wow. That’s a lie. I certainly did receive several emails from you.
Now I wish I’d saved them so that I can forward them to you for proof.
I received emails from THREE separate people:
-yourself
-Kristi
-Ari
It wasn’t my imagination. The three of you loaded up my email box to the point where I really dreaded checking my email.
Unless you want to tell me that someone used your email address without your permission and sent me emails from your email address without your knowledge?
I don’t buy that.
Hey, you two. Is it really worth it? If it was Deborah who blasted you before, why not forgive her instead of bringing out old dirty laundry? You too, Deborah, it would be nice if you forgive Michele now for bringing out dirty laundry or false accusations, whichever is true. It is not important.
I’m assuming that that occurrence was long enough ago that either of you could had changed over the time. Why not assume brand new beginning between you? Deborah did make good point about racism being a first thing that could automatically happen when confronted with whites. I only disagree about audism’s lesser priority but that is other story entirely. Could we not have at least a solid-cold polite debate for now and fight it out in private if you both have to fight?
Don’t worry, Neutral.
This is the last time I will speak of this.
I brought it up only because it happened just a couple of months ago.
And it bothers me when I see hypocrisy being practiced here by these people who claim to want to talk about racism, when in reality, they just want an excuse to jump on anyone who dares to say anything non-PC or revolutionary or whatever.
Lastly, I’m with you about priorities. We can’t put audism under racism (or vice versa). Both issues are equally important.
I like how Laurene (Gallimore) Simms puts this so eloquently in one of her presentations. I can’t remember which one as I’ve been to a few! She felt we should identify ourselves equally. For example, instead of saying I am Deaf first then Jewish second and woman third, my identities should not be in order but on an equal footing.
So, I can understand why there’s disagreement about how racism should have more priority. It is not as good as one saying audism should have more priority over racism. I like how Ella Lentz said in her quote:
“Audism anywhere hurts EVERYBODY and stunts our growth as well. If we have failed in fighting audism, unfortunately we will also fail in fighting racism.”
You want my honesty? I was taken aback by your ELITISM. I shall spell out for you: classism (racism, whitism, religion, audism, crab antics, ad infinitum) was born out of none other than ELITISM. It is better to walk the talk than to talk the talk.
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Deborah, would you mind summarizing your ASL vlog in English for those of us here who do not know ASL or are not fluent in ASL, and for the deaf-blind as well?
Oooh…I wonder if Shane introduced a Pandora Box here? Yet, admirable on trying to include everyone yet at the same time some people are exclude on not know what’s going on.
Interesting dilemma