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From: James.Womack@f14.n300.z1.fidonet.org (James Womack)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: First Language
Message-ID: <16453@handicap.news>
Date: 26 Jun 91 04:10:47 GMT
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[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]

Deniis, I hope that program youmentioned works. I have seen a lot of
well-meaning people and programs get started then flop for  basic reason.
No appropriately trained Deaf people were involved in it, or in numbers
enough to prevent the usual factors that result in such programs becoming
failures. Don't take this wrong, but this is an old history inregrads
to the deaf. I hope yours is an exception and will be pulling for it
all the way. A lot of reserach is firmly establishing ASL as a language.
As for my preaching the choir, well, fact is sometimes a choir needs
a conductor who indeed does preach the musical tones, tunes, harmonizing
of the same and so on. Actually, I was not preaching. After a time
on this echo, I am beginning to honestly believe what a friend told
me some months ago when I ran into some heat here. He said, electronic
communications can make the most innocent statements seem to be the
most vile accusations. I pooh poohed him, but I think he is right afterall.
     In any case, good luck with that program. It will be one of many

more in this field that is making a contribution. I hope you are in
the thick of it as I plan to be beginning this fall.
    Political waves? Truth to tell, the most prgressive events in history

do not occur without waves. The Civil Rights Movement, Womens Suffrage,
the creation of the USA, ye, the decision on whether to help stop Hitler
and later Saddam Hussein, and too the struggle of Deaf People to simply
be who and what we are. People are like the sea and the sea does not
remain calm very long. This is not to say we should go about rocking
every boat in the dock. It is to say that when progress beckons, expect
resistance sooner or later. Resistance that will test your committment
to your goals and beliefs. And when this happens, people have a tendency
to either give up or they will stiffen their backbones. That's where
we get the term: AGAINST ALL ODDS. Not all of us are pushers, the genteel
people make things happen too. However, those who stiffn havetheir
places as well. They have usually learned the hard way that when they
back up they kep getting pyshed further an dfurther back. That is why
they get stiff and hardheaded. But we are all in this one together,
all the characteristics that truly "help" should be welcomed. Party
on, dude!

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