From: Hugues.Blanchet@f136.n167.z1.fidonet.org (Hugues Blanchet)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Attagirl!!!!
Date: 12 Aug 92 21:30:14 GMT
Reply-To: Hugues.Blanchet@f136.n167.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:167/136 - Ab.'s Place, Montreal PQ
X-Fidonet: Silent Talk Conference

Index Number: 23901

[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]

AS>Deaf Culture
AS>in my opinion is something the Deaf created among themselves simply
AS>because they choose to be recognized as Deaf persons and thus want
AS>to be a group of such.  We are all individuals first, not a deaf
AS>person.  IMHO, just because we are deaf/Deaf/HoH doesn't mean we
AS>have to belong to one group or the other - we should be able to
AS>fit in any group (personally, I don't see the need for such
AS>sterotyping as a group) and if one is limiting themselves into
AS>such groups, they are missing out on what is out in the BIG wide
AS>world.

Attagirl Annie!!! You REALLY caught my eye here!  Talk about someone who
isn't afraid of standing up and telling what she REALLY thinks! (Just
like my dearest sweetie... <gggggg>!)

You know something Ann? I've known a few people (hearing people) that
took signing classes for one reason... because they REAlLY were
attracted by ONE thing only; the MYSTERY of it.  Nothing more than that!
ALL these people don't last very long in those classes because they come
to realize that indeed, they were attracted by mystery, nothing else.

I KNOW that a lot of people who take signing classes, do it for this
reason only.  They think it's really mysterious to see two people
signing and they know that those two people are *talking* to each
other in english but they STILL can't understand them.  That's where the
mystery (for THEM ONLY) come from.

Little thought here...

....The ones that think that Deaf Culture is really *cool* or *keen* or
whatever, would change idea if tomorrow morning they became
completely deaf... There only love would turn back to the culture they
had.... and that they lost forever.... Those who have never heard in
their lives think that they really need a culture for themselves for the
simple reason that they don't even know about the only culture that
exists in the UNIVERSE..... the culture of the majority... the Culture
of the Living Human Being.  To put ourselves aside from this majority
means we simply do not accept it... And the reason for this is probably
because we cannot adopt to it....or maybe we don't feel like fighting
(or too weak to fight...) to be part of it......

There will always be one, and ONE ONLY culture for me... and if it was
so for EVERYBODY, then the world would be much better off...

We REALLY appreciate the ones we loved when we loose them...

We REALLY appreciate what we had.... the moment we loose it...

We will never, EVER accept LESS than what we already had before...

Thank you Ann... it was so soothing to read your post...

AS>This is just my opinion which is based on what I've experienced
AS>and from what I've been exposed to.

Your opinion is shared by the majority of deaf people I'm quite sure (I
didn't say Deaf, but deaf!!!).  WE (deaf) are the only ones that KNOW
what BOTH are really about!!!  Once the Deaf will understand that we
(deaf) are where THEY are and that we WERE WHERE THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN
BEFORE, then maybe they will very seriously think about what they MIGHT
BE MISSING by shutting themselves out in their only world...

JB>rest of the population.  I understand the need to "belong,"  Laurel and
JB>Karen have spoken of the isolation they feel not "belonging" to either
JB>culture, but I seems to me an individual should strive to understand
JB>other cultures, appreciate them for what they offer, but not to use a
JB>given characteristic as a means to exclude others.

This paragraph wasn't your's Ann... I'll still comment on it.

Yes, isolated we feel from both.  BUT we are still going to stay and be
part of the one we lost, EVEN IF WE HAVE TO FIGHT TO STAY PART OF IT.

I will personnally always be much MORE at ease in the one I'm part of;
the only one that regroup's so many people...

JB>I am learning to sign, and I don't know why.  I only know it is
JB>important that I learn.  Perhaps some day God will tell me why.  In the
JB>mean time I attend classes and continue to build my vocabulary.  I
JB>appreciate Sign for the humor that seems to be built into the language.
JB>I have surpised myself on a couple of occasions because I was REALLY
JB>able to communicate in sign!  I want to sign, not to set myself apart,
JB>but to allow myself to experience more.

How about the mystery side of it?  Maybe he should sit back and try to
ask himself WHY he want's to learn sign language... A lot is confirmed
in his last sentences...

"I have surpised myself on a couple of occasions because I was REALLY
able to communicate in sign!  I want to sign, not to set myself apart,
but to allow myself to experience more."

The mystery comes out that he is SURPRISED that he can REALLY
communicate in sign.... And he even add's MORE.... that he want's to
sign to "allow myself to EXPERIENCE more" !!!  Therefore, it is quite
easy to see that he is attracted by it due to the mystery of *speaking
english without even saying one word*.  WHY would he want to EXPERIENCE
more if he wasn't attracted by SOMETHING!?!?!

JB>IMO people spend too much time noting the differences among others and
JB>far too little time enjoying the similarities.

I believe in complete similarities in the one and only culture that
exist and that will always exist (not matter what some might say), the
culture of MAN, the children of God....

....Amicalement a toi chere Ann...

Hugues

 * SLMR 2.1a * House of Congress: "My reality check just bounced."

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