My Response to Patti (People of the Eye)

Of all the blogging action about how DeafRead removed Cochlear Implant On-line from its aggregator, the only place constructive discussion seems to be building bridges is on Patti's blog, "People of the Eye" I felt the need to respond openly in my own blog.

Sorry I'm so late in responding, Patti.


Kim – . . .I want to ask you – when u challenge DR not to exclude Rachel do u simultaneously challenge Rachel not to exclude ASL and Deaf culture in her blog – meaning can she help introduce parents to Deaf culture and ASL herself?

It's true CI On-line is very pro-AVT. You're right, there isn't "celebration" of ASL. She and I have differing views on that.

As you already mentioned, her views supposedly weren't the reason she was kicked off of DeafRead. She was kicked out for breaking a rule that didn't clearly exist and one others have broken as well.

That said, I will point out there are Deaf vloggers and bloggers who are anti-CI, anti-AVT, and anti-oralism. I won't name names here. I am getting better and better at understanding ASL, so I know what they're' signing in their vlogs. HAHAHA! They have a right to their views, just as Rachel does.

I don't believe it's necessary that individual bloggers/vloggers support ALL facets and subgroups of the Deaf/deaf community. Yet, those who don't should expect some negative feedback. An aggregator that claims to be impartial should support all bloggers regardless of their views, unless they explicitly state otherwise.

I am curious to see if Rachel's new aggregator, Deaf Village, will be as inclusive as she and the others claim. It would be interesting if some Pro-ASL/Anti-AVT Deafies joined, just to see how the moderators will handle their posts. Will they be impartial? Will they refrain from name-calling? Will they treat all the way they wish to be treated? I expect some will and some won't. We're all human.

If DeafVillage becomes "infiltrated" by "Deafhood" bloggers, will CI bloggers complain that Deaf Village is too focused on "Deafhood?" Will the Deaf Village moderators kick Deafhood bloggers off their aggregator? Only time will tell.

In answer to your question on whether I've challenged Rachel on her AVT position in the past. Yes-- I've challenged both her and her mother. I don't believe in AVT. It's an option-- yes-- but not one I would choose.

However, my thoughts on whether parents have the right to choose are as follows--- I don't tell Catholic, Baptist, Buddhist or Jewish parents to raise their children in the Congregational church, the way I raised mine. Rachel has turned out great with AVT. Just as some Catholics may eventually convert to Methodists or even become Atheists-- there will be Deaf children raised with AVT who will embrace ASL as adults, and those who won't. We're all individuals. Parents make many decisions their young children. I believe in individual choice.

Both Patti and AnneMarie addressed economic factors affecting Deaf people. The unemployment rate and "under-employment" rate of deaf/Deaf people is one reason Hearing parents choose to implant their children. It gives them a leg up in society when they can speak. We all know deaf/Deaf people routinely get passed over for promotions other less qualified Hearing individuals receive. Few Hearing people care to support the deaf/Deaf with expensive accommodations in the workplace. Lately our American economy has been faltering, and most companies are looking for ways to cut corners. I don't expect the problem of Deaf/deaf employment to get better any time soon.

Patti said--
i think we r just in our infancy of understanding ourselves so having safe places to bump around ideas and thoughts r really important

This makes perfect sense. Still, I felt DeafRead adequately answered that "safety" issue when they created the Custom option. It seems only those who go looking for a "fight" get one. Even though Cochlear Implant On-line is off DeafRead, she's still posting her same thoughts on AVT. She has every right to visit any of your blogs, and use what you say in her own blog. The blogosphere is not private. We all must pick and choose what we read and respond to.

Patti-- you mentioned the point I brought up about Deaf vloggers not captioning their vlogs. I understand this, truly, and blogged about it myself a few weeks ago. One of my recent ASL assignments has been to translate a children's book "Peter Rabbit" into ASL. It's extremely difficult. Many of you in here have a pretty good grasp on the English language-- a much better grasp on English than I have on ASL. I feel those people could easily give a synopsis of their vlogs like LaRonda usually does-- if they don't want to caption over their ASL.

Once again I'd like to point out if you want accommodations, you should be willing to accommodate others. (I'm not using the "you" personally here Pattie, since you blog.) The argument that there isn't a fair balance of captioned blogs vs non-captioned has no place here. I am also affected by non-captioned video blogs on Youtube and non-captioned movies, and television programming. HLAA (full of hard-of-hearing people who don't sign) has worked tirelessly alongside the NAD to help change captioning laws.

Thanks for the great discussion Patti, and all those who posted civil thoughtful comments. I appreciate the level-headed way you and many other Deaf bloggers have responded. We may not agree on all points, but I like that we can disagree without animosity.

Smiles,
Kim