You raise great points! Been one of my pet peeves for eons. Just because I can function like the hearing didn't mean I'm reject the deaf or their culture.
My take on it is that it is just human nature. People simply just get jealous of those who can do things that others can't do. It is made worst by the fact there aren't many in the world who sign. It is an exclusive club if you will. So, you get the "circle the wagons" mentality and protect it at all costs. Anybody who is deaf and doesn't sign for whatever reason is a bigger threat than those who hear and don't sign (what else does one expect anyway).
For me the kicker is your last paragraph...our experiences as being deaf in any form are so similar that it defies belief that we don't understand or see the problems they have in their lives.
