Interpreting Filters: signing through a mirror.

Wow.

Tonight's discussion involved everyone in class. I think because we all can identify somehow someway of discrimination and filtering ourselves. I have been heavily involved in the Queer scene in Sacramento and the Black and Latino communities. Through the reading my preconceived notions were strengthened and elaborated. But tonight's power point asked me questions which I had to answer, I was no longer looking at another community under a magnifying glass. I was looking in the mirror with a magnifying glass.

I was suprised to hear John talk about interpreters who look down on the deaf community. But Im also glad that he did. We discussed how we may not even be aware but our own prejudices can color our interactions as interpreters and our own history, values, beliefs, dislikes, etc. may not jive with what the client states. Our job is to keep it real and be true to the client's word. Sure, we are human too. We made need a personal break, but only if it's a neccessity and an option.

I wish I could stop signing like a hearing girl.
Today in class I tried to mouth less to see if it would coerce my sentence structure into a more ASL-like format.

Please God, let me sign ASL by next Thursday!


- Beamed from my Soul Phone

DEAF Blurb

I want to read more Deaf literature. Stories, studies, anthologies and idioms; I need it all! I wish I knew more deaf people. SLC will help. I keep trying to volunteer but no one seems to be looking for help.

Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming...

- Beamed from my Soul Phone

Journal Tid Bit

The discussions we have in class and the articles from the assigned reading are helping
forcing me to push my previous experiences through a new perspective filter
and
cultural lens.
Guiding me to interpreting my own experiences with
ASL
deaf people
Deaf people
CODAs
hard-of-hearing folks
SEE
and so on
and so forth.

I'm seeing a bigger picture and broader interpretation of how/why/what went down.

Thank you John!!!!!

Journal #3

I have really enjoyed the latest reading assignments. The chapters which discuss Literacy have really pulled back the curtains for me. I always knew that ASL had its own syntax, rules, vocabulary, sentence structure, etc. But I never could quite find the way to bring it all together to make a point. Or to make sense out of it all. How does that relate to written English? How can I express these concepts and relationships to the hearing world ignorant of ASL? The reading has given me the tools I need to provide solid theories, information, and references for these conversations.

The more I know about the Deaf experience, perspective and what the varying perspectives may entail; the better I will be able to coomunicate cross-culturally. The section in last Tuesday's class where we discussed how children acquire language skills really opened my eyes to how many factors contribute to how someone communicates, comprehends, relates, infers, expresses, and develops.

Also, John has remided us that this isn't just research. This is our client. This person with developmental disadvantages with low language skills and lack of world knowledge is my client. Now why do I do?

I will remember what I learned, discussed, and shared in this class!

- Beamed from my Soul Phone

Journal #2

The recent reading has proven thought provoking. Before this class I took pride in my awareness of Deaf cultural issues, concerns, needs, equal rights and access, and how to communicate those words to the hearing world. I thought I knew why hearing America has made the choices we have made.

As they say in ASL: WRONG-me!

Yes, I had an inkling. I have been on the right track. But my engine hadn't taken me anywhere. Now, I feel like I'm really turning the ignition and warming up the machinery as a whole.

When I read the section discussing disability; how and why that term is defined, what it encompasses, its facility and oppressive nature; its got me thinking. It's unfortunate that the information in chapter 17 has not been been shown to me until just now. It is surprising and alarming to think that people are so ignorant of things which, to me, are common sense; and that such audacious theories could be taken so seriously truthful.

I want to become more involved in Deaf Advocacy. Not so much the ADA side of things, but the cultural side. After tonight's discussion about education, rights, needs, variations, choclear implants, aids, speech therapy, etc. I feel even stronger about becoming involved with Education and the Deaf community.

Tonight I remembered that in eighth grade I told my mentors I wanted to become a daycare instructor for Deaf children. Well I don't think I'm still focused on daycare, but I am interested in becoming a teacher of the Deaf or an interpreter in an educational setting. I've toyed with the idea of attending Gallaudet for grad school.

I am learning that there is a lot happening in the Deaf community: very recently and in the now.

There will always be conflict.
There will be stubbornness and support.
With generational change, different needs will arise. If I wanna be a part of this movement, I need to be prepared!


- Beamed from my Soul Phone

Journal Entry #1

Deaf Culture.
Deaf Studies.
Deaf Cultural Studies.
d/Deaf Intra-Cultural Studies.
Where do I fit in? How do I fit in? Do I fit it?

This Summer I leap into the academic study of the sociology of Deaf communities within America. Thus far we have discussed several points, ideas, theories, ideologies, and perspectives. Of course a few hot topics stand out to me:

1.  Deaf Culture is (surprisingly) a relatively new idea/movement.
2.  The community had to decide, define, and describe: "What is Deaf culture?"
3.  What have we stood for?
4.  Where are we going?

All encompassing those four thoughts is this: Who decides? How is it decided?


These discussions in class have really opened my eyes. I feel like a curtain was pulled away, the window was dusted off and I can see an entire new perspective. I have always identified as a Deaf cultural advocate, admittedly not very active, but an advocate nonetheless. I have stood up for equal access, equality in the workplace, and equal rights in communication. I have educated my peers, my coworkers, my employer, my friends and family regarding what I know about Deaf culture, lifestyles, practices, ethics, and etiquette.

After reading chapters one and two in Open Your Eyes and the energizing discussion in class last Thursday, I am aware that I have a lot to learn and am eager to make room for this new knowledge. I am so grateful to be able to share opinions and perspectives with my classmates. It's nice to hear how other "hearies" have/are experiencing ASL and Deaf culture already, and also what their concerns are. I like having a safe place where I can speak sincerely and receive a thoughtful and honest response.

I am humbled by the experience of my classmates and am learning new signs from them every time we meet. I leave class so energized, anticipating what I will read about and see in class the next week. I feel like I'm finally getting the education I need to fulfill my professional goals.

Personal goal: Look into classes at Sign Language Center to keep proficiency up and running!