Deafhood

[kokonut]

Again, Again and Again...your own personal journey as a deaf or hh person is considered to be Deafhood. Each person's experience is unique.

You are demonstrating great wilfulness to Deafhood. Here is a metaphor for you: Hitting baseballs from a pitching machine is a metaphor for willingness. Like the pitching machine keeps throwing balls at you, life throws reality at you. You need to keep your eye on the ball to hit it and swing. As each ball comes, focus on giving it your best shot. Willfulness, crying, defiance or denial does not stop the ball. If you stand in the way of the ball, BAM!, the ball hits you. You will not hit any balls if you stand there doing nothing. Ignoring the ball does not make it stop coming. Willingness is taking your best swing at the ball.

Why the capital "D"?

The metaphor doesn't make any sense. There's a difference between accepting one's hearing loss versus someone who doesn't, and not about cultural affiliation/identity.

Keep it simple as I've said often and avoid any semblance of measuring other people's journey since it's a deeply personal and private. I have no need for a label since life always throws you a curve ball.

 

[posts from hell]

Why the capital "D"?

The metaphor doesn't make any sense. There's a difference between accepting one's hearing loss versus someone who doesn't, and not about cultural affiliation/identity.

Keep it simple as I've said often and avoid any semblance of measuring other people's journey since it's a deeply personal and private. I have no need for a label since life always throws you a curve ball.

If you see the need for equality then you will see the need for the capital D.

 

[MidnightSun]

No No No

Why the negative tone?

My friend, PFH, I didn't get that as a negative tone at all. I thought Daredevil was just wondering how many names have been applied so far..and alot have people have different ideas, that's the reason I'm here ! I think your assertiveness maybe tempered with a bit of political savy would make you and excellent advocate for DeafHood. I do take offense to you and deaf caroline somehow thinking you can tell people if they don't agree with your perception of the topic, get out. Laughing, I think DeafHood is great in theory and have been saying "the deaf need to be heard from or nothing will change." Mr Ladd does need to get some political players and maybe even in the US, a few Lobbyist ( that left a fowl taste in my mouth) lol..but to move forward with his concept he can't just get people worked up and then not taker the steps to put his theory into action. Also, I have written him regarding my feelings regarding the name DeafHood. I understand his theory that we all should be living in the same "neighborhood" getting along and being treated fairly, but the "hood" part send an image of hiding or covering up...I say throw off the hood an let your seld be seen and heard..that's tho only way progress will be made. Smile...Peace to you all..Midnight♥♥♥

 

[kokonut]

I agree with that if you dont embrace Deafhood you should find the nearest exit.

If you don't embrace being deaf, why are you here? Why are you wasting time on a deaf forum?

I see AD as a forum for deaf, hard of hearing and hearing people who deal with hearing loss. There is no rule requiring deaf and hard of hearing people who must embrace "Deafhood" in order to participate. A bunch of bs using the same "why are you here?" spiel. Sounds pretty darned territorial. Reason why I have no need for labels of that sort.

I accept my hearing loss. I acknowledge it. What more do YOU want? I simply accept people with hearing loss for who they are. I don't need to bring a microscope for each one of them to see if they "qualify." I'd say, hell with that, let's just go to a sports bar and enjoy the company.

 

[kokonut]

If you see the need for equality then you will see the need for the capital D.

The "D" in "Deaf" has always been denoted to mean "culturally deaf," not about equality in the sense for all people with hearing loss. It's a very specific word with the capital "D." That's how *I* see it.

 

[jillio]

Each of our journey is, of course, unique... which is what we have been saying for the whole time.

But we are asking what your definition of deafhood is. that's all.

Everyone's journey is unique, but there are sufficient numbers with strong similarities to make Deaf Culture a reality. That is what some are failing to realize. It would appear to stem from a feaf of anything associated with deafness as a group.

 

[jillio]

Why the capital "D"?

The metaphor doesn't make any sense. There's a difference between accepting one's hearing loss versus someone who doesn't, and not about cultural affiliation/identity.

Keep it simple as I've said often and avoid any semblance of measuring other people's journey since it's a deeply personal and private. I have no need for a label since life always throws you a curve ball.

The capital D is a cultural designation for those whose journey has allowed them to accept their deafness and incorporate it as an important part of their identity and their life. For those that have recognized the audism in this majority society, and pledged to no longer be silently and willingly oppressed by it. For those who have chosen to longer perpetuate the audist concepts by not only living them, but embracing them and bowing to them.

It is not a measure of your journey. It is a personal identification. If you aren't comfortable with it, oh well. But you have no right to tell those who do identify as Deaf that they are not entitled to their identity.

 

[posts from hell]

The "D" in "Deaf" has always been denoted to mean "culturally deaf," not about equality in the sense for all people with hearing loss. It's a very specific word with the capital "D." That's how *I* see it.

Thats how you see it. I see it differently.

 

[jillio]

The "D" in "Deaf" has always been denoted to mean "culturally deaf," not about equality in the sense for all people with hearing loss. It's a very specific word with the capital "D." That's how *I* see it.

And that is exactly where you are wrong. Identifying as a cultural and linguistic minority, rather than as a hearing person with a defect in hearing, is empowering. Empowerment is all about equality in society.

 

[jillio]

I see AD as a forum for deaf, hard of hearing and hearing people who deal with hearing loss. There is no rule requiring deaf and hard of hearing people who must embrace "Deafhood" in order to participate. A bunch of bs using the same "why are you here?" spiel. Sounds pretty darned territorial. Reason why I have no need for labels of that sort.

I accept my hearing loss. I acknowledge it. What more do YOU want? I simply accept people with hearing loss for who they are. I don't need to bring a microscope for each one of them to see if they "qualify." I'd say, hell with that, let's just go to a sports bar and enjoy the company.

Be honest, koko. You don't accept anyone for who they are. If you did, you would not spend so much time dissing those that choose to id as Deaf, and those whose political beliefs are different from your own. You are all about making the other guy look inferior to yourself. You don't have to be Deaf, but you do have to be honest. Or get called on your lies. Your choice.

 

[posts from hell]

And that is exactly where you are wrong. Identifying as a cultural and linguistic minority, rather than as a hearing person with a defect in hearing, is empowering. Empowerment is all about equality in society.

Thank you.

 

[jillio]

Thank you.

NP

 

[Daredevel7]

In regards of Deafhood, its a concept that was coined, not a label.

Otherwise how could we know it's Ladd's book we're talking about, how could we know it's that particular class we're taking.

If it bothers you, you can leave it be. No need to wade through the threads.

I'm not really complaining. Just giving my opinion on the flip side of the coin. Can't always look at the head all the time. An ass (tail) has to pop in once in a while.

I do disagree with you about "deafhood" being a concept only. It's a label to explain/define one's experience or identification towards deafness.

Anyway, I don't feel the need to argue about "deafhood" itself. I'm just questioning why people are arguing about all these labels (or "concepts") in the first place.

To be quite honest, I wouldn't be surprised if MORE of these came along.

Such as: Deaf American, *a new Deaf sign to represent Deaf _____ *, Black Deaf American, Deaf Society, and so on.

I question what purpose do these terms REALLY serve? Do they really describe one's experience/identification? Are all the terms distinctly different from each other? Do they provide more good than bad? Are all these arguments worth having all these terms/labels?

 

[kokonut]

Um, hearing loss range from mild to profound. It's all about accepting and acknowledging one's own hearing loss, and how one addresses it, and let people know about it and not be embarrassed whether you're hh, deaf, or Deaf. Technology and services provide many avenues to ensure that sense of equality and access.

 

[jillio]

I'm not really complaining. Just giving my opinion on the flip side of the coin. Can't always look at the head all the time. An ass (tail) has to pop in once in a while.

I do disagree with you about "deafhood" being a concept only. It's a label to explain/define one's experience or identification towards deafness.

Anyway, I don't feel the need to argue about "deafhood" itself. I'm just questioning why people are arguing about all these labels (or "concepts") in the first place.

To be quite honest, I wouldn't be surprised if MORE of these came along.

Such as: Deaf American, *a new Deaf sign to represent Deaf _____ *, Black Deaf American, Deaf Society, and so on.

I question what purpose do these terms REALLY serve? Do they really describe one's experience/identification? Are all the terms distinctly different from each other? Do they provide more good than bad? Are all these arguments worth having all these terms/labels?

In a sociological sense, labels are more useful to those in power, or those that are seeking to associate with those in power. Oh, he's Deaf? Let's keep him marginalized. Oh, she is a Cuban woman of immigrant parents? Keep her marginalized, but not to the extent that we keep her parents maginalized.

But yes, they do serve as a shorthand to identify. Much easier to say "I'm Deaf" than to go through a verbose explanation of exactly what that means.

 

[AlleyCat]

And do paraplegics or dyslexics use a different language to communicate? Duh. Culture is built on language. Go back to school.

Theoretically speaking you could say they could. There's more than one language than just English in this world, you know. Just saying.

There's tons of languages in this world other than English.

Anyone choosing to use Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Greek, French, Italian, whatnot can do so of their own pleasing.

However, a paraplegic or dyslexic person choosing to use any of those languages doesn't have anything to do with being paraplegic or dyslexic, does it?

 

[jillio]

There's tons of languages in this world other than English.

Anyone choosing to use Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Greek, French, Italian, whatnot can do so of their own pleasing.

However, a paraplegic or dyslexic person choosing to use any of those languages doesn't have anything to do with being paraplegic or dyslexic, does it?

Exactly. And the language they use would be their cultural affiliation, not their disability.

 

[kokonut]

I'm not really complaining. Just giving my opinion on the flip side of the coin. Can't always look at the head all the time. An ass (tail) has to pop in once in a while.

I do disagree with you about "deafhood" being a concept only. It's a label to explain/define one's experience or identification towards deafness.

Anyway, I don't feel the need to argue about "deafhood" itself. I'm just questioning why people are arguing about all these labels (or "concepts") in the first place.

To be quite honest, I wouldn't be surprised if MORE of these came along.

Such as: Deaf American, *a new Deaf sign to represent Deaf _____ *, Black Deaf American, Deaf Society, and so on.

I question what purpose do these terms REALLY serve? Do they really describe one's experience/identification? Are all the terms distinctly different from each other? Do they provide more good than bad? Are all these arguments worth having all these terms/labels?

Perhaps they're just "feel good" labels as way to validate oneself for all to see, I suppose? But hey, I just tell them I'm just as real as a human being as you are. No need for validation on my part. I'm just a human being.. I am.

 

[jillio]

Perhaps they're just "feel good" labels as way to validate oneself for all to see, I suppose? But hey, I just tell them I'm just as real as a human being as you are. No need for validation on my part. I'm just am.

If you have no need for validation, what is up with all the blogs on the net, the videos of your piano playing, your posts on here that say again and again that you don't id as Deaf?

Dude, you are more in need of validation than anyone else on here. You just don't realize it. Everything to do and say is an attempt to be validated.

 

[kokonut]

There's tons of languages in this world other than English.

Anyone choosing to use Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Greek, French, Italian, whatnot can do so of their own pleasing.

However, a paraplegic or dyslexic person choosing to use any of those languages doesn't have anything to do with being paraplegic or dyslexic, does it?

This idea is for people who are deaf and hard of hearing, that's condition based. Meaning, those with hearing loss and not about languages per se. There are those who speak and listen only while others sign as their only and preferred means of communicating. The one thing that connect us all is our hearing loss and the need for communication access using the preferred language. Hearing loss and amount of communication access needs vary for each individual with hearing loss. Now, keep in mind, I'm always thinking about my step-father who has a mild hearing loss whenever I address this issue just to keep things into perspective. He wears a hearing aid to address the high frequency hearing loss. That alone does not address language per se but communication access needs.