Why should deaf people be around hearing people instead of O N L Y deaf people

Interpretrator said:
rjr2006 said "Please remember that Gallaudet University does not enroll MANY hearing people." (emphasis mine)

He didn't say they don't enroll hearing people.

He was not wrong.
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yup, that's why RIT is there for both dhh/hearing
 
well actually, I think Gally and RIT might see an increase in hearing students. There ARE hearing kids who use ASL as a first language due to things like apraxia and trachostomies.....
 
I understand why some people think that Gallaudet is full of "Deaf militants," but it really depends who you ask. I've been to Gallaudet many times and will be going there this fall, and no one has ever been rude or disrespectful to me upon discovering I am hearing. Kappa Gamma was one of the most outspoken groups against the HUG program 5 or so years ago, and they recently accepted a hearing pledge. PKZ is also rumored to have a hearing pledge this fall (I may have flipped the two, apologies if I did).

My point is this: Life is what you make of it. If you go into Gallaudet expecting everyone to scream "DEAF POWER" in your face, you're going to notice that more than other things. Open-mindedness is a wonderful thing.
 
ayala920 said:
I understand why some people think that Gallaudet is full of "Deaf militants," but it really depends who you ask. I've been to Gallaudet many times and will be going there this fall, and no one has ever been rude or disrespectful to me upon discovering I am hearing. Kappa Gamma was one of the most outspoken groups against the HUG program 5 or so years ago, and they recently accepted a hearing pledge. PKZ is also rumored to have a hearing pledge this fall (I may have flipped the two, apologies if I did).

My point is this: Life is what you make of it. If you go into Gallaudet expecting everyone to scream "DEAF POWER" in your face, you're going to notice that more than other things. Open-mindedness is a wonderful thing.
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We probably imagined all the 'Not deaf enough' campaigns then..... ? If rank and file deaf at Gallaudet are as open-minded as we would all hope, why didn't they close down their loony fringe ? Scared ?
 
It doesn't matter to me....I would attend to any college even if they don't have dhh programs etc....
 
Passivist said:
We probably imagined all the 'Not deaf enough' campaigns then..... ? If rank and file deaf at Gallaudet are as open-minded as we would all hope, why didn't they close down their loony fringe ? Scared ?
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I'm not denying that there are some who are militant Deaf, but they are not the majority.

As for the "not deaf enough" issue, I think it's been said enough that was not the driving force behind the protests, though I know some people did feel that way. However, I'm friends with some people who were involved (heavily) with the protests and don't preach Deaf Power.
 
ayala920 said:
I'm not denying that there are some who are militant Deaf, but they are not the majority.

As for the "not deaf enough" issue, I think it's been said enough that was not the driving force behind the protests, though I know some people did feel that way. However, I'm friends with some people who were involved (heavily) with the protests and don't preach Deaf Power.
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Speaking from my own (UK) view and as a deaf person, Gallaudet has a lot to work out about their directions and campaigning, their militant fringe needs reigning in, we have to an extent a small version of these people here, and we keep them in check, we support as deaf people any campaign (Even militancy), IF, it is directed at improviving communications, access and education. Any of the excessive cultural ideals, pro-deaf, anti-hearing, anti-oral, anti-research etc gets put into perspective immediately, brits are I suggest MORE open-minded than some at Gallaudet. American militant deaf have a LOT of ground to recover, mainly I think Gallaudet has suffered the most, because deaf in other parts of the world are becoming dissolutioned with the militants there running the show, and seeing what amounts to bullying by cultural deaf.

Has power gone to these people's heads ? As we all try to move towards fuller integration and inclusion, we see Gallaudet activism blocking progress. The Ridor effect seems to be taking Gallaudet to bits on the net. We read hate message wishing deaf people are dead, get aids..... all this is coming via the decisions of Gallaudet's loony fringe, time the moderates spoke out there, and not just state most are not like this, you have to take these people on, for all our own good. Gallaudet started well, now is going downhill fast,a shame, it could have proved a beacon or icon to world deaf, it's deteriorated into an us versus them, shooting match.
 
I think America in general has a tendency to generate extreme views on all sides and with other matters; as an American, this is just one part of a pattern that crosses all social boundaries.
 
I think that Gally students are sometimes seen as militant because it's one of the few places where Deaf are in the majority. They have the opportunity to be assertive about their views on Deaf culture and ASL. Most of the time it's the other way around--Deaf are in the minority and it's the hearies who can be assertive about communication issues. Many Gally undergrad students come from a mainstream school, and have the hearies views of what they need for education and communication forced on them. When they arrive at Gally, it's their first experience at being in the majority, and their first experience with a large group of people who share their deafness and understand the same way they do. It's only natural that they become enthusiastic. That enthusiasm sometimes is seen as militant. Actually, it's only an evening of the sides that have been leaning the other direction all of their lives. But because the Gally students have sometimes been very agressive in their demands and attitudes, the Deaf community as a whole enjoys the benefits of the hearies becoming more aware of the fact that the Deaf community exists, has rights, and will demand that those rights are enforced.
 
jillio said:
I think that Gally students are sometimes seen as militant because it's one of the few places where Deaf are in the majority. They have the opportunity to be assertive about their views on Deaf culture and ASL. Most of the time it's the other way around--Deaf are in the minority and it's the hearies who can be assertive about communication issues. Many Gally undergrad students come from a mainstream school, and have the hearies views of what they need for education and communication forced on them. When they arrive at Gally, it's their first experience at being in the majority, and their first experience with a large group of people who share their deafness and understand the same way they do. It's only natural that they become enthusiastic. That enthusiasm sometimes is seen as militant. Actually, it's only an evening of the sides that have been leaning the other direction all of their lives. But because the Gally students have sometimes been very agressive in their demands and attitudes, the Deaf community as a whole enjoys the benefits of the hearies becoming more aware of the fact that the Deaf community exists, has rights, and will demand that those rights are enforced.
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All the MORE reason why deaf with this 'power base', and energy used it responsibly and to better effect. POwer comes with responsibility, it's not a "WE got all the signers here, outta my way"...I don't think there are people reading this who don't know the difference, between being enthusiastic, and being downright 'ornery' (To use an americanism). The arguments, debates, and campaigns we see start off meaningfully as access, then they hone this to WHOSE access, thence onto deaf versus the hearing or anyone else within range. They cannot STOP at campaiging for access and equality, without separating us all into camps inventing a new term to marginalise and seperate, either by db, mode, ability to talk or not, or lifestyles, there have been FEW coherent campaigns that has been run and managed for the sole benefits of us ALL.

We get "(D)eaf want this", or "(Deaf) demand that", presumably this means CI users don't or BAH users don't, or hearing aid users don't, as they aren't included in all this. I want to see global applications of rights, not loudest voice, THAT is what campaigning is about, equality for ALL.
 
Passivist said:
All the MORE reason why deaf with this 'power base', and energy used it responsibly and to better effect. POwer comes with responsibility, it's not a "WE got all the signers here, outta my way"...I don't think there are people reading this who don't know the difference, between being enthusiastic, and being downright 'ornery' (To use an americanism). The arguments, debates, and campaigns we see start off meaningfully as access, then they hone this to WHOSE access, thence onto deaf versus the hearing or anyone else within range. They cannot STOP at campaiging for access and equality, without separating us all into camps inventing a new term to marginalise and seperate, either by db, mode, ability to talk or not, or lifestyles, there have been FEW coherent campaigns that has been run and managed for the sole benefits of us ALL.

We get "(D)eaf want this", or "(Deaf) demand that", presumably this means CI users don't or BAH users don't, or hearing aid users don't, as they aren't included in all this. I want to see global applications of rights, not loudest voice, THAT is what campaigning is about, equality for ALL.
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I agree with many of your points. Unfortunatley, sometimes things must be taken to an extreme measure before anyone will pay attention and give validity to the argument. :)
 
deafdyke said:
Yeah, but 100% comfortable? I have oral skills and was mainstreamed, yet I don't feel totally comfortable with hearing society. I still have social issues, and am always afraid that hearies won't undy me.
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I had lived in both worlds.. but i feel comfy around deafies more than with hearies... You are right...

Thanks!!

SxyPorkie
 
SxyPorkie said:
I had lived in both worlds.. but i feel comfy around deafies more than with hearies... You are right...

Thanks!!

SxyPorkie
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Same for my son. He can function in either world. But which does he prefer? Deaf, of course. (Sometimes, me too!) :whistle:
 
I went to a mainstreaming school for all my life. From my experiences, it was very interesting experiences because I had some deaf classes from K-6th grades. I did not take hearing classes until I enrolled into a junior high school and a high school, I actually took a lot of hearing classes with an interpreter. I really had no problems with them because some of them were willing to be a note taker for me daily. If the interpreter was not there, what I did do was sit next to a notetaker and read the notes or read books. At same time, I taught them to learn ASL. We did do something for exchange. It was all way good at end.

I do feel more comfy with deaf people, and I do like to hang out with hearing people who know deaf culture.
 
Sylentman said:
I went to a mainstreaming school for all my life. From my experiences, it was very interesting experiences because I had some deaf classes from K-6th grades. I did not take hearing classes until I enrolled into a junior high school and a high school, I actually took a lot of hearing classes with an interpreter. I really had no problems with them because some of them were willing to be a note taker for me daily. If the interpreter was not there, what I did do was sit next to a notetaker and read the notes or read books. At same time, I taught them to learn ASL. We did do something for exchange. It was all way good at end.

I do feel more comfy with deaf people, and I do like to hang out with hearing people who know deaf culture.
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In kindergarten I went to a local school for the deaf but it closed down so I had to transfer to a public school that had kindergarten program for the DHH. This one was an oral program, though. It didn't work out so my mother sent me to the state school for the deaf and I went there for about a year then I came back and went to a different public school with DHH program that included signing. I did very well, but missed my friends at the state school so I went back there again but something bad happened so I came back to the public school. In middle school I was fully mainstreamed in all of my classes with an interpreter for the full 3 years. After that I went between mainstream and the school for the deaf on and off all throughout high school. It seems that I do better mainstreaming than at the state school for the deaf. *shrugs*
 
I don't think total isolation of the two worls is good for ANYBODY...and I think that most importantly, deaf and hearing children should have the opportunity to play together, with responsible adults making sure that any violations of courtesy on either side are swiftly (but fairly) punished. Good interaction in a safe environment forms memories that will really stick with children and in many cases, have a good effect on how they develop into adulthood.
 
jillio said:
I agree with many of your points. Unfortunatley, sometimes things must be taken to an extreme measure before anyone will pay attention and give validity to the argument. :)
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I am aware of that need, but, you don't use extreme measure to divide your own sectors, it is the activist who cuts to the cultural chase and says ME, not, US. The stirring of antipathy towards the cultural deaf needs to be watched, it is coming, from other deaf people, those in the real majority, cultural deaf cannot afford to antagonise them all the time, they aren't bound by the same limits/laws put on hearing, and will match culture word for word, term for term, campaign for campaign, and, will SWAMP the cultural message, if pushed hard enough. They're safe only as long as they hold onto this Tiger's tail, but if they let it go..... There are growing complaints of alienation from the access campaigns... so far reacted to by apathy,this could change.
 
Rose Immortal said:
I don't think total isolation of the two worls is good for ANYBODY...and I think that most importantly, deaf and hearing children should have the opportunity to play together, with responsible adults making sure that any violations of courtesy on either side are swiftly (but fairly) punished. Good interaction in a safe environment forms memories that will really stick with children and in many cases, have a good effect on how they develop into adulthood.
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I agree that isolation isn't good. But the way things stand as of now, it isn't going to happen much either. The predominant stream of humanity is hearing and going its own way...very much like a major river and nothing can stop it. Not sure what could change that...
 
I think you're very correct about adults...that's why I was thinking any intervention has to be as a child. And even if a child doesn't have the opportunity to play with kids who are unlike them, a good parent should spend some time with them teaching them to have respect--and this because by the time a kid grows up, if they aren't taught they WILL be every bit as intractable as you say.
 
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