I’m struggling to find words to describe my feelings after watching last night’s Law & Order: Criminal Intent episode. Angry, indignant? Nah. Alexandria Wailes can use her voice all she wants.
Impressed? You bet. I applaud Law & Order for bringing to the forefront police issues that have been sensitive with the deaf community – attorney-client privilege, the expectation of being handcuffed in front, etc.
Amused? Greatly. I especially enjoyed the bit where our archetypical suffering playwright, Larry (played by Darren Frazier) was demanding a deaf cop, judge and jury. I got a few chuckles, albeit incredulous, out of the scene where the detectives question the perpetrator’s cousin about having a deaf baby. (I couldn’t find the name of the actress – anyone care to fill me in here?) Such gravity was put on the fact that “a new deaf person in the community” was a cause for celebration. I could be wrong, but I hope that’s exaggerating the general consensus among deaf parents.
Was I bothered? To be honest, maybe ever so slightly. All the while I was mirthfully watching Larry and Tommy, our ultimate antagonist (Garrett Zuercher), a tinny voice in my head was reminding me that this episode is being beamed into millions of peoples’ homes – and for many, this will be their first (and perhaps only) exposure to deaf culture. As far as first impressions go, this one isn’t exactly flattering.
I’m not going to put the blame on the writers – they wrote for television, and did an excellent job of caricaturing the super-D side of our community. Like all caricatures, however, there’s an element of reality behind the gross distortions and half-truths.
Hearing people (and hopefully deaf people, too!) who saw that episode probably recoiled at Tommy’s motive for killing Dr. Mallory (Jack MacGruder), the CI doctor – the preservation of the deaf way of life – but is that so far-fetched? Most hearing people would, at first glance, not understand the very real concern some deaf people have for preserving their lifestyle. Are you concerned about deaf culture vanishing?
What about the episode’s sheer reverse-audism? With the sense of superiority and entitlement I’ve observed from some in this community, I honestly think that’s a bigger problem than vanilla ‘audism.’
Oh, and there’s the not-so-subtle homage to the Gallaudet protests. I’d go on, but I didn’t set the TiVo in time to review – I wasn’t expecting the episode to be this good.
It doesn’t matter what you think personally, it doesn’t matter whether this-or-that article/blog post/TV show/news blurb is right or wrong, what matters is that’s what’s getting pushed to the people. That’s the message the unwashed masses are going to receive about our community. And a lot of times, it’s not all gross distortions and half-truths.
Sigh. Time to send off my subscription to the Weekly Standard.
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I’m a fan of Law and Order, and I have to say I enjoyed this episode. It was the typical Law and Order episode, really. It wasn’t perfect, like the loose end with the Dean. But otherwise, it is television, and in television shows, they always will do a bit of hyperbole.
I’ve been reading other blogs, and people complained that it cast the deaf community in a bad light. I disagree. It’s a cop show for one thing. They’re not going to cast the community in entirely a good light. There has to be a negative element to it, or else there wouldn’t be anything to take to court. :P
I also think it illustrated the divide in the deaf community pretty well. And like you said, Josh, I could see a big nod towards the Gallaudet protests of 2006. I even thought, and this is my opinion that’s shared by several others, okay? That Larry was *loosely* based on Ryan Commerson. :P
So I thought that was very interesting, and considering that they only had a hour interrupted by commercials, they did a pretty good job.
Hello Josh,
I’ve been waiting all morning for someone to comment on the Law & Order program from last night. I watched and just loved it. I found it so interesting and I thought they did a good job of showing different perspectives and aspects of not only the deaf community but also how the hearing might relate. I am a hearing mom with a deaf 10 year old and so anything and everything dealing with the deaf culture is of interest to me. I am also studying to be an interpreter and so the bit on the show about some of the more radical deaf not liking the man from the outreach program was definitely something that struck me. However, I was very glad that they addressed the “not deaf enough” issue because this is one of my greatest concerns for my son. He is profoundly deaf but with his hearing aids has learned to talk quite nicely. From what I’ve learned so far, I can already see he is not deaf enough for some. That said, everyone I have met so far in my quest to learn about the deaf community and their culture has been welcoming and eager to bridge the gap as I am.
I know the program was just a fictional show intended to entertain - which it sure did, one of the best Law & Order CI I’ve seen! I don’t think it painted anyone hearing or deaf in a bad light. I think it demonstrated there is diversity in any culture.
:-) Angie
I did enjoy the episode, and yes it is indeed entertainment before anything else. (Deaf Pundit hit it on the mark above). There were some extreme aspects of the community presented, but as I said, those weren’t without merit. And it wouldn’t make for good drama otherwise. Overall, it was an excellent effort by a TV show to be more inclusive.
That being said, I wouldn’t worry about your son being ‘not deaf enough’ to be accepted. We’re all a very diverse group of people, and as you observed, we’re pretty nice too. Or I would hope so. Best of luck with your son and your studies.
Question yourself this. Has there ever been a murder of a CI doctor by a deaf person? Has there been any such murders of people in the medical field by deaf people?
on the original Law and Order in early to mid 90s a deaf woman was killed by her boyfriend because she was too involved with a hearing administrator of a special deaf school.. that was a start I think… Someone in a profession who is killed is a very very old tune in Criminal Intent
My recollection of that episode is that she was killed by the hearing administrator because she was his star pupil and he wanted her to become a “big name” in the deaf community– president of Galladuet even. Instead, she wanted to get a CI and go to a regular, mainstreamed college and not get a job working with the deaf. It was too much for him, and he whacked her in the heat of passion.
The girls’ boyfriend was a suspect for the first half hour, but the cops became convinced of his innocence later.
Personally, I thought the episode sucked ass.
Comments:
1.)I have never met a Deaf person who TOTALLY HATED a CI doctor in my life. Most Deaf people are like, “Damn, hearing people listen to the doctors too much without asking Deaf adults what they thought” or something to that effect. I have never seen one Deaf person say, “BAD DOCTORS THEY MUST DIE!!!!”.
2.) The Deaf Power protest? Not even at the Gallaudet protests did I see one person scream out, “Deaf Power!”…just silly. “Deaf Power” is more of a joke amongst Deaf people…at least ones that I know…
3.) The part where it was mentioned that bringing a Deaf baby into the community “was a blessing” and “something big to celebrate”….ummm…I do skip baby showers…it is not that big of a deal to me.. Most Deaf people I know would be happy with a baby that’s Deaf or Hearing…doesn’t matter because the kid is gonna have ASL as his/her first language anyway… Personally, I’d love a Deaf baby, but also love a hearing baby because I’d not have to relocate close to a GOOD Deaf school. No difference to me.
4.) There should have been less talking, IMO. In the Deaf community, I’d say about 40% have “intelligble speech” like I do…and maybe 10-15% can talk normally. There are far more Deaf people who choose to not use their voices at all. I am tired of seeing Deaf actors talk on TV…I know it makes it easier…but I am tired of it..it’s simply unrealistic because some Deaf people who can talk WOULDN’T EVER TALK TO COPS..they’d request an interpreter because they’d be afraid of a misunderstanding. Or afraid that the cops would ASSUME that they could lip read very well and not need an interpreter.
5.) I must admit that I liked that “Where are the Deaf cops, Deaf Judges, and Deaf Jury” bit…I got a chuckle out of that at least…
6.) I didn’t like the “Not Deaf Enough” comment given to the cops by the actor who played Deann Bray’s (School Adminstrator) husband on the show. Get real…Deaf people couldn’t care less if one of their peers married someone hearing. At least, the ones I know… Plus, this clearly shows me how damaging Dr. Fernandes’ comment was last year…it is forever in hearing people’s minds, IMO.
All in all, it was pretty clear that we need Deaf writers to start writing stuff for Deaf characters… Personally, if I had been an actor on the show and read the script..I’d have walked away…no joke…
So, if you were arrested, you would also demand a deaf lawyer, a deaf judge, and a deaf jury? Because the understanding that hearing people have of us is just so inadequate, right?
No, I wouldn’t demand a deaf cop, lawyer, or jury. I would demand the best possible lawyer I could get.
As for the understanding of hearing people being inadequate…yes it is inadequate. Does a white person underatnd a black person? Does a man understand a woman? Why does Hollywood hire consultants for movies? (i.e. military types for Clancy movies or mobster types for mob movies?).
If Law & Order brought in a Deaf consultant, the consultant could have told them that the celebration of a Deaf baby wasn’t a BIG DEAL and that most Deaf people have accepted the fact that there probably won’t be a Deaf community within a hundred years.
Just my 2 cents…
The episode wasn’t meant to be an exacting portrayal of deaf culture… where’s the fun otherwise? Not even Tom Clancy movies are 100% accurate. The writers are allowed to take creative liberties, and in my opinion many of the episode’s characterizations, however exaggerated, have a stronger element of the truth than most of us realize. I wouldn’t be surprised if L&O did have a deaf consultant. If not, then they did a very good job on their research.
Above all, we’re humans. I think that both deaf and hearing know that. Well, I sure hope so.
J.J. Puorro,
#1 - That actually reminded me more of people against abortion than deaf people against CIs. Does this mean that hearing people think that deaf people who are against CIs are just as volatile as those who kill abortion doctors?
#4 - Is that estimate based on your circle of friends?
I agree with your second point in #4 though. I’ve listened to a good number of deaf people tell me that they would never ever talk to a cop, because of the potential for misunderstanding. But then again, an interpreter could be just as bad?
Shane ~
You and I must be sharing brainwaves today, because I was having that very sort of discussion with a friend of mine… the analogy to pro-life anti-abortion fanatics.
I think the vast majority of us realize that 95% of all pro-lifers deplore the tactics used by those would resort to violence in the name of saving babies.
And yet, it is that 5% who represent the “fanatical radicals” who are going to get the attention, and put the fear in people about the potential of such individuals to do harm to others in the name of their cause.
Is there any potential for a deaf person to commit murder over something such as cochlear implants? Certainly, it is POSSIBLE, however far-fetched it might be. As my friend pointed out…”people have committed murder for a lot less.”
But I do agree, just like the majority of anti-abortionists would not stoop to such actions, the majority of Deaf people wouldn’t either.
In addition, I am not sure that the true motive for Tommy to commit the actions he did was entirely based on the cochlear implant itself, but rather that it was a catalyst for drawing out the feelings that really led to such actions - the fear of abandonment, betrayal, etc.
Let’s say that Malia had left Tommy for a hearing, non-signing boyfriend. Would he have felt that same sense of abandonment and betrayal? Would he have dealt with such feelings in a similar manner - by shooting her new love?
It’s unfortunate that the show had to put the focus (and the blame) on cochlear implants. No doubt these devices stir up a great deal of emotion and controversy within the Deaf Community.
But I think we can all agree that the issues with Tommy went far deeper than just BAD DOCTOR, YOU DO COCHLEAR IMPLANTS, THUS YOU MUST DIE!
I agree on all counts Ms. Beach.
Another thing…the Deaf community is FAR more accepting of Cohelar implants than ever before. There are just too many Cohelar Implant doctors these days.
It is possible that there are extremist Deafies out there, but can I ask if ANYONE here KNOWS ONE??? I have met some who disliked hearing people in general…but THAT EXTREME? Nope, never met one… Most Deaf folks I know are “normal”….
What about Erick Ketcham?
Who is Erick Ketcham?
Erick Ketcham is our lovely sadist….
http://www.raa-deaf.org/sandbox1.html
J.J,
I do like hearing people, I just don’t like audists. Just wanted to clear that up.
Audism is as bad as racism. Yet, many deaf people are willing to take it up the ass. Why? I don’t understand it.
Ever heard of the Judenrat? During WWII, the Nazis employed Jewish workers to calm down other Jewish people being collected to be shipped off to a concentration camp. The Jewish people HATED those Jewish people that worked for the Nazis. Why? They betrayed their own people.
That’s how I see deaf people that just take it up the ass and play Uncle Tom. Don’t you think it’s enough, and time to fight for respect?
I took it up the ass all the way until my wife and I had a Deaf baby son, b. Sept 2005. Since then, things have changed.
I don’t like the thought that my son will experience the audist crap that I dealt with my whole life. And that is what fuels my fight against audism. Only a Deaf parent of a Deaf child would understand. (In addition to Deaf people that has some common sense)
“uhhh…”,
You forgot to mention my wife as an “extremist” as you call it. Her name is Michele Ketcham, formerly known as Michele Westfall and as Michele Listisard. If you guys want to point out so called “extremists” in the Deaf community, then you might as well add her name to the list.
To others,
I know many deaf people that feels the same way I do. So, they’re out there. But they are not brave enough to stand up and say “screw audism” and make it a point.
And as for my article, the whole point of the article was to show how negative the word “audism” is. It shows how negatively audism affects Deaf people. If certain people interprets it otherwise, then I think that person needs more lessons in creative writing. (And reading)
PunkyBrewester, still sore? Wow… I haven’t even thought about you since that day we had that “discussion”, and you’re still obsessing about me? Wow… I’d rather be thought of as a sadist rather than a stalker. At least I don’t go around making libelous statements about you.
Have a nice day.
Regards,
Erick Ketcham
PunkyBrewester,
And by the way, if you’re going to stab people, at least have the dignity not to hide behind a fake name.
And to further my point, you now know what I look like.
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=ketchamized
Personally, I don’t give a rat’s ass who you are or what you look like. Just wanted to point out that you seem to make assumptions about me when you don’t even know me.
I make assumptions on things that you do. And so far, you’ve made libelous statements about me while hiding behind a screen name modeled after a pre-teen character on a has-been show. And you condone audism and probably participate in it too. Now, I know enough about you not to like you.
Have a nice day.
Erick Ketcham
Shane,
As for #4, it’s just a ROUGH estimate based on my experiences meeting many deaf people. Don’t take my word for it, I pulled that # outta my ass :-).
I watched it with my family and friend last night - we’re all huge L&O fans. In short, it is a very typical law and order formula - a murder always happen in the beginning of the show and the last 5-10 minutes we find out who the murderer is.
the CODA cop feeling conflicted in his role and explaining the nuances of the deaf community.. Not much to say about that except the “cocoon” thing was very.. I don’t know. We talked about “evasdropping” and the others pointed out it can be the same as hearing people shouting when arguing (ice rink) from a distance and you can hear tidbits. Same for the interrogation room - they use the intercom to listen in. Malia and the lawyer could;ve turned their backs.
one last thing - I’ve been told by a deaf colleague of mine who gives deaf culture training to the NYPD, they are very against deaf being handcuffed in the front because they can still flip tables etc (yes I’ve seen it happen) when angry. Still a sticky issue with the NYPD. I think one possibility is one hand can be free while other is handcuffed.
I agree with several of your comments. The plot is so silly. Hey, I’d like to bring this one up… Seriously ridiculous, I think.
Remember the scene where Malia and Tom started discussing about the murder at the ice rink — Who in their right mind would discuss a subject like that in a public place? I’ll never be able to yank that picture out of my head. Jeez.
And worse, a deaf event at the ice rink in the city? Come on, now… that is an insult. Why couldn’t it be at a bar lounge? Coffee shop? Expo?
What’s next? I can already see it coming — an episode where the deaf employee at Chuck E Cheese is murdered by the deaf activists who were angry with him for working in a hearing restaurant. Ooh. I better get started on the script.
Deaf Power! *laughing*
Ah, this reminds me of how some of my classmates would tell each other secrets at MSSD in public places like the cafeteria. One person would put their hands under the shirt of the other person and sign inside the shirt while the other person pulls out their collar, looks down, and listens to them.
How did you handle sharing secrets with female classmates in that way? I’m curious.
I had to roll my eyes when I saw Malia whispering that she spent the night with a man not her boyfriend, since she did it right in front of the news camera. D-U-H.
I really am curious about how Wailes felt playing such a character.
I think it was a very decent show despite the hollywood standards. how many times have groups or cultures been disrepresented on TV?
The actors did an excellent job
*chuckles* Yea. That part was amusing, and a bit unbelievable to me. Tho it’s possible that she wasn’t aware that the cameras were on her. Who knows. :P
I enjoyed the show and recognized two deaf actors that I knew from Gally and deaf events.
By the way, I really hope that the CI surgeons out there don’t get *scared* by watching the show that someone would eventually be out there to kill them! The show made it sound like that maybe someday someone will be out for revenge.
P.S. I wish the show closed in more on the deaf actors’ signs instead away from them. Hearing people could simply hear the voices in the background while the camera is focused on the signs. I think that would be fair! I don’t want to read the captions; I would rather read the signs! It is more fun because you can see the expressions and body language. Speaking of that, some of the actors could improve some in that area. Looks like they didn’t have much practice before acting in that show. But it is a start though!
Hi (signed “JA” on shoulder)! What has brought you to DC?! :-) Who am I, you may ask. Your old elementary classmate and a fellow guinea pig (from age 5 to age 9?) at SDSU for their, I assume, psychological evaluation on deaf children. ;-)Long time no see!
I agreed with your comments– the show gave me more chuckles than having my jaw gaping. My favorite part was when Detective Goren began to sign. IS THERE ANYTHING HE DOESN’T KNOW?!?! Since I have been working as an ASL teacher, I immediately said to my husband: “That detective needs to work on his NMS…”
;-)
WHOA! I was a bit confused as to who you were for a second, then I checked out your blog. It’s been a long time… you got married?!?!
I’d love to catch up, so shoot off an E-mail to me. josh.allmann@deafdc.com
OTP-
has anyone seen Marlee on the L word? I saw it recently, and I was pretty iimpressed by how they highlighted some issues.
1) how they communicate, and how the hearing gfriend still hasn’t learned about to deal with communication issues
2) clarifying that the interpreter is not an assistant, he is an interpreter.
3) a dinner party in her honor (all hearing people), who wasn’t set up to be very deaf-friendly, despite sugggestions made by her.
4) hearing people who act idoitically (scream, speak slowly, open mouth too big)
5) a fight between her nad her deaf ex gfriend
Those are just a few issues. I thought it was handled beautifully.
Gnarlydorkette, yes, I know what you mean about Det. Goren. He is something else, isn’t he? Even I was not surprised when he was the one suggesting to have handcuffs in the front instead of the back. He is just so observant and curious of everything.
Anyway, one other thing I was curious about how you thought about how the cop interpreter dealt with the two situations of “eavesdropping” and refusing to interpret. I left this question on another blog. Both times the conversation was signed out in the open but the cop interpreter was very hesitant to interpret, feeling intrusive. In the first situation at the ice rink, Det. Goren made a point that it was out in the public so no expectation of privacy. Do you think it was appropriate for the interpreter to react that way?
I’d like, if I may, to offer up a viewpoint from another angle which might give you some food for thought -
As some of you may know, I am not only Deaf, I am also Pagan. To be more precise, I’m an ordained Third Degree Wiccan High Priestess.
In another words, I’m a Witch.
Folks…there’s been a helluva lot more BS coming out of Hollywood about Pagans, Witches, and Witchcraft than there ever has been about Deaf people.
The harsh reality is that we Witches frequently get horrendously misrepresented by the entertainment industry.
Of course, I realize that these programs and movies and the like only reflect society’s general view of such, but can you imagine how it feels to me and my fellow Witches when we see our spiritual path being portrayed so erroneously, and our beliefs and practices turned into an entire farce simply for the sake of ratings?
There have been entire television programs built around being a witch - anyone remember “Bewitched?” Then there was “Sabrina the Teenaged Witch” and of course, “Charmed.” And yes, I do meet people whose ideas about Witchcraft are based upon what they saw in those shows. (I even had one ask me to twitch my nose like Elizabeth Montgomery did!)
And it’s not just limited to television - we’ve seen plenty on the big screen as well. If I could have a dime for every time I have been asked “Are you a good witch or a bad witch?” I could retire and buy an island in the Carribean. It ranks right up there with “Can you read lips” and “How did you get to speak so well?”
And when I try to explain that I am neither - I am a WITCH, period…and that I practice MAGIC period, with no color attached to it…they look at me with puzzled, confused expressions on their faces. Oh well. What can you say to someone whose perceptions of witches is based upon “The Wizard of Oz?”
Or “Practical Magick?” Or “The Craft?” Or the recent “Harry Potter” series? Or for that matter, even “The DaVinci Code”, which at least tried to get it right?
We in the Pagan Community have long had to deal with how the media portrays us…and many times those portrayals have been just as filled with inaccuracies, misperceptions, biases, and whathaveyou as the recent programs related to deafness that we are now discussing.
A few years ago, there was a segment on the television program JAG that focused on the investigation of a Wiccan coven on a military base - in which the High Priest was being accused of sexually manipulating and raping members of the coven. He was in fact found guilty by a military court.
Can you imagine what kind of image that conveyed to people? The fears and concerns that Witches everywhere had about that show? Yes, there are those within our community who do sadly engage in criminal acts, using as their excuse that they were only engaging in the supposed practices and beliefs of our faith - practices and beliefs which would be abhorred and rejected by the vast majority of us.
So when such programs and movies pop up, we do our share of dissecting them and debating them and analyzing them and critiquing them and complaining about them.
And wondering when those writers and producers and directors and actors are ever gonna get it right. (By the way, I have yet to see a Witch in one of these programs being portrayed by someone who actually practices the Craft.)
I guess that as a “Doubly Marginalized” individual, I just wanted to point out that we can dissect these programs til doomsday and find errors and inaccuracies and plenty to nitpick about. But in the end, all we can really do is shrug our shoulders and go on from here and realize that we have to be secure and confident in the knowledge that WE know the truth…even if the rest of the world appears woefully ignorant.
Because the harsh reality is - it’s Hollywood. It’s entertainment. And if you want the truth…
That’s not the place to find it.
So…. are you a good witch or a bad witch? ;-)
LOL…contributing to my retirement fund, are you?
Depends on which day of the week it is.
Hand over that dime.
I thought Virginia Beach gave a good analogy. If anything we should look to how other minorities deal with this marginalization in TV and the movies. “Deaf culture” is really a new phenomenon while “witches” have been around for centuries. So we’re just getting started.
Another thing to remember, too, is how African Americans have been portrayed, how Native Americans have been portrayed… how many movies in the 90s painted black people as gang members, etc? Or all Native Americans as people living in broken down trailers on dying reservations?
Excellent observation, Chris..and I totally agree with you.
I have a friend who is a Native American, and he has mentioned this very fact a couple of times himself - “It used to be that Hollywood’s portrayal of Native Americans seemed to be along the lines of “the only good injun is a dead injun.” Now it’s improved slightly…we’re allowed to live, but we’re alcoholic trailer trash.”
Yeah, it’s definitely Hollywood. When I watch tv shows, I keep in mind that it’s for entertainment. There may be nuggets of truth in it, but it IS fiction, after all.
As for the Wiccan part, I don’t think the religion is very well understood. People keep confusing it with Satanism and in general, any religion other than Christanity doesn’t count.
Hollywood has never been good at portraying minorities, really. They have never have been truly inclusive. It’s too bad that the majority in general don’t really recognize that.. I don’t think people realize how much of an impact television can have on the masses. I learned a lot about the black community by watching “The Cosby Show” in the ’80s. Not that everyone is like the Cosbys, but it did show that there’s diversity within the black community.
That’s why I thought the Law and Order episode was a step in the right direction. It’s a cop show, but they showed things that has pretty much never been aired on television, such as being sensitive to deaf handcuffed in the front, interpreting ethics, cops’ walking all over deaf people’s rights…
It’s next to impossible to have a perfect television show that’s fair and balanced representation of a minority group. The only time that’ll happen is when the people behind the scenes are very inclusive, like the L Word is, and like the Cosby Show was.
I’m in complete agreement. For a recent example, did anyone catch the last episode of “Scrubs”? I don’t think I ever have been so annoyed in the portrayal of the deaf culture or lack thereof.