Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!yale!bunker!hcap!hnews!203!11!Vixen.*
From: Vixen.*@f11.n203.z1.fidonet.org (Vixen *)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: YOUR MESSAGE
Message-ID: <10145@bunker.UUCP>
Date: 13 Feb 90 05:37:40 GMT
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Index Number: 6736

Hi,

Well, my feelings about expressions like "the deaf world" and "the
hearing world" bother me only because as far as I know, we all only
live on one planet. Now, I am not deaf, so I have to admit to
having no conception of belonging to the deaf world. I only know
"the world". Of course, it could be pointed out that since I am HI
with "hearing" that I automatically belong to the hearing world and
might be considered ignorant.

The thing is, I am blind, but I don't live in "The blind world",
nor for that matter, have I ever heard of "The blind world."
Basically, all my point really is, is that I believe that "The
world" belongs every bit as much to the deaf as it does to the
hearing, seeing, blind, or anyone else.

This is not to deny "deaf culture", but simply to realize that
"culture" need not be an Isolation from the rest of the world and
other cultures. If we take down the walls and build bridges, then
culture becomes something to share and enrich with.

While even one as ignorant as I am about deaf culture is able to
understand some of the resentment, anger and even sometimes a sense
of shame on the part of some, that has contributed to the past and
present isolation of the deaf culture, it seems plain that the more
severe and extremist isolationists are only denying themselves
their inherent right in to all of society, not just within thier
own peer group. (Boy, was that ever a long sentence!)

Not to let hearing people off the hook, there is much work to be
done here as well. More awareness, more education. While I favour
the opportunity for TC for all deaf and HI people, I also find some
annoyance with hearing people who seem hell bent on finding ways to
make deaf to hearing communication ever always easy on the hearing
person. Granted, majority may rule, but whatever happened to the
common courtesy of respecting people enough to meet them halfway?

I know I am looking at all of this with an Idealist bent, but
perhaps such is my nature. I do realize this is a complex matter
and there are a lot of feelings here and as you say, there are
those who would prefer to keep the walls up. There are only two
things I know for sure, if the world blows up, we will "all" blow
up, deaf and hearing alike! Also, if we continue to isolate from
each other, the myths and misconceptions will continue.

Keepin' the faith!

.                          Vixen

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