Unity for Whom? And Why do I ask?

You may still be wondering why I keep bringing up this “Unity for whom?” question in various blogs as well in my own blog. I’m still getting emails about it. So I'll explain more. Also, be sure to check out the poll at the bottom.

It is a very simple answer and that all you need is to have a few good examples from well known Deaf people or even leaders that would assuredly put doubts into people’s minds that all Deaf people are really for this “Unity for Gallaudet” kumbaya thing. A lofty ideal where deaf, hard of hearing and Deaf people can all get along with no discrimination whatsoever because of their background, communication preferences or even a particular hearing device (check out the latest poll results) to use. Perhaps Dr. Jane K. Fernandes and I. King Jordan weren't far off explaining why (as one of the reason) students, staff and faculty protested the BoT selection of JKF where it had to do with "Identity Politics" and all of this is just one big culture war. Only because of what they saw were the same thing that a lot of other students have seen and experienced as well? Yet they continue to say that it was never about Deaf culture or being culturally deaf enough. Yet we continue to see Deaf people throw their huzzahs into this whole thing by wearing the now famous “Unity for Gallaudet” t-shirts (and here). Which is fine, however. Extremisms still exist that shouts a more serious underlying problem that most Deaf people are not willing to acknowledge.

One very well known Deaf person who is considered as a "leader" in many ways (even with FSSA's support and the Deaf community at large as I am told) in this protest who had this to say of anyone, including deaf or hard of hearing person, who would dare talk with their voice on the campus of Gallaudet University (emphasis is mine).

One time, I saw a student who used the cell phone to talk. I cut him and told him that it is rude for anyone to use the cell phone in the Gallaudet Barfeteria because this is Deaf University -- want to use the voice? Go outside. I was not joking when it happened. I was very blunt with him as I told him that I do not appreciate for him to use the cell phone in the Barfeteria at all.
July 27, 2004

Five months later, this same person clarifies his position even more. The title of this person's blog tells it all when it comes to peers of deaf people.

Using Voice In Front of Deaf Peers

Which is why he resented Gallaudet as of today. Which is why he resented Deaf students who lambasted or attacked hearing people (or hard of hearing students, for that matters to mcconnell) for using the cell phones in the cafeteria. Let's be realistic -- the world is 99% hearing-dominated society. It is always offensive and discouraging when a hearing person picks up the cell phone and yakked in front of us, leaving us pretty much clueless. Whereas if we chat with each other, and they can read us because they knew ASL. But when they talk with the voice, they talked because they knew that we cannot hear nor lipread what they said. Is that rude? Of course it is.

So it is my duty to make sure that the cell phones or using the voice in a "deaf-dominated places" are discouraged. Period. If you fling at me with that bird, you can bet there will be an uproar out of Deaf people. For once, Gallaudet is ours. Not yours. It is Deaf place, not hearing's. We have to endure these offensive behaviors of hearies outside of Gallaudet campus, but at Gallaudet, let us have these rules in our own backyard. No cell phones or using the voice -- use ASL at ALL TIMES.
December 08, 2004

Oh, sure. My name is in all this but this is not about my hatred or anything like that when I blogged about this. I'm simply questioning his past commentaries which happens to be one of the best examples out there on why I doubt this whole kumbaya "Unity for Gallaudet" thing. It is simply beyond believable for a lot of people who are in the same position as I am and share the same doubtful concerns about this whole protest's message. Especially when it comes down to each deaf individual's right to use whatever mode of communication preference. If I or a hard of hearing person want to use the cell phone on the campus of Gallaudet to speak into and listen, then it is that person's right to do so. If a deaf/hh person would rather speak to a hearing (or hard of hearing) person while on campus rather than sign, it is his or her right to do so. It's an individual choice. This individual choice does not belong to the Deaf community on telling what a person can or cannot do.

I am trying to present my views, my perspective and my experience of the whole matter at hand as a hard of hearing person who have experienced the good and bad times at Gallaudet just like many other students. And why I seriously doubt whether many Deaf people are even really serious about this whole "Unity for Gallaudet" kumbaya thing. I am certainly NOT alone in all this. Respect my views and opinions is all I ask.

Now, believe me. I want to see successful deaf, hard of hearing and Deaf people because they all can easily prove a point nowadays that we are not constrained by hearing people's perception on what we can or cannot do. We just simply can do it. Nothing more. Nothing less. We're no different. We can show to the world that we have the capacity to succeed just as well (or better) as any hearing person regardlesss if we wear cochlear implants or hearing aids, use sign language (ASL, SEE, PSE, Rochester, etc), use visual cues such as Cued Speech, have additional disability, use our voice instead of signing, or have preferences as to who we want to hang out with. Whatever we choose, it should NOT be an issue to anyone else.

We have the likes of Christy Smith, a deaf Survivor show competitor; Matt Hamill, a deaf mixed martial artist who is gunning for the UFC slot in the TUF3 show; and recently Greg Gunderson, a professional deaf driver who has a real chance in getting on a the newest reality show "Racing for a Livin." Or we have successful deaf entrepreneurs and business people such as Jason Curry, a deaf person who grew up oral and has a cochlear implant where he sets out to help improve greater independency among deaf people who interact with hearing people with a new communication device; or Joel Barish, CEO of DeafNation which is a widely successful and popular business event catering to potential deaf, Deaf, hard of hearing and hearing clients or customers in expos all across the United States. All of these people are examples of what they can do despite their hearing loss. We're all in the same boat. But I see time and time again that many Deaf people are simply not being honest with themselves about this whole "unity" thing.

So, I must ask this question again, unity for whom?

Check out the poll below and vote.

Should deaf and hard of hearing students on Gallaudet campus be allowed to talk (as in voice) on their cell phones? No Yes Free polls from Pollhost.com

Thank you for reading and participating in this poll.