Let's quit talking past each other. We are getting nowhere here.
Your being hearing is not the issue. My not signing is not an issue.
My experiences in the past at Gallaudet was simply one of rejection because I wasn't like them. I just passing through (visiting a former teacher from my youth) and I could feel the hostility. I wasn't trying to do anything at all. Maybe at the time, HAs are what CIs are today for some them... Talk about snottiness! I was in my early 20's then and that left an everlasting impression about the so-called Deaf culture. If that was the way it was going to be...I wanted no part of it. Just because I don't sign doesn't mean I can't read body language and it positively screamed "He ain't one of us and he is the enemy!!!". What the heck!!!! How different might it had been for me if they at least acknowledge me as a being deaf (as a 'tweener) if nothing else. But no, they couldn't do that. As they say, "live and learn".
Fast forward to today. I can now understand why that was so but it didn't make it right. I did nothing to deserve that. I can agree the Deaf culture is very misunderstood by those not a part of it. I have learned alot here that gives me a much better and balance view of it. That can only be a good thing...no?
To respond to your one point, I'm not trying to be a part of the Deaf culture at all. Being deaf doesn't mean having to be part of anything. I found my niche and that is good enough for me.
I have to say, let's just drop the whole thing and be done with it. It ain't worth the hassle factor of misunderstandings.
