Deaf World: A Historical Reader and Primary Sourcebook
Editor Bragg collects essays, speeches, articles, and short stories to provide an "authentic self-portrait of the American deaf community." The book's first section examines early social expressions about deafness: assumptions that it was associated with lack of intelligence, debates about genetics and intermarriage among deaf people, controversies about whether and how to educate the deaf. The collection proceeds with sections on American sign language, deaf education, deaf ethics, and the deaf community. Among the authors are advocates such as Edward Miner Gallaudet, founder of the university bearing his name, deaf playwright Shanny Mow, and a deaf silent film consultant; the latter two are among those who comment on changes in the images and employment of the deaf in the entertainment world and the role of nonverbal communication. Several writers explore such special problems as those of deafness among blacks, the struggle against racism, and bias against the disabled. Together they attest to growing assertiveness and even militancy in activism for the rights of the deaf.Vanessa BushCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved--This text refers to theHardcoveredition.