Barb Digi publicly resigned from the DBC in a YouTube notification to viewers a few days ago after only a few years in the organization. Despite the numerous controversies regarding the organization she made a point about pursuing an area with greater professionalism in her video if you read the transcript at the end. I agree. Professionalism is key to maintaining and keeping one's own integrity. I've noticed that she has tried to keep Deaf politics out of the way and focus on exemplifying on the positive on how signing can help babies, deaf or hearing, to communicate more effectively with parents.
The simplest approach is to show the positive side of signing (not necessarily "ASL" but signing in general) to parents of deaf and hard of hearing children and leave it at that. I produced a video showing an example of how a simple YouTube of my 1 year old hearing daughter signing at her 1st birthday celebration can carry more weight on delivering a simple message...communication can be understood between a one year old baby and adults. That simple video message alone carries more weight than for highly visible members connected to an organization to go on a rampage, attacking people and other organizations because their views do not agree with that of DBC. Once you employ yourself in an organization, what you do or say reflects on the organization's standard of professionalism. Once you abuse that then that organization loses its integrity because of the strong association with an organization and presents a very negative image of that organization. Leaders of any organizations must have a goal in mind on ensuring absolute professionalism. Once you lose that professionalism then any message or goal in an organization would lost or damaged.
Parents simply need to be informed and with that information they can make an informed decision. The parents still hold the trump card because they are the ones who make that crucial decision whether going for a cochlear implant or a hearing, using cued speech, SEE, ASL, SE, PSE, SimCom, or oral-auditory approaches. Even the decision to employ the help from John Tracy Clinic, AGBell or NAD. The key understanding here is that it is ultimately the parents' decision for their deaf or hh child on what they feel is best. The decision does not rest with the DBC. Not Gallaudet University. Not NAD. Not AGBell. Not John Tracy Clinic. They do not own babies with hearing loss. All they can do is provide the necessary information so parents can make an informed decision. Politics will simply turn parents off. That's what professionalism is all about. Informing parents and not let politics get in the way by harassing people for their decision or opinions on other mode of communication or educational approaches that people think are good. By publicly going after people for having a different opinion or approach would push any message about signing for babies out of the window. I think Barb Digi understands that. So does Amy E. Cohen.
And with that, I sincerely wish Barb Digi all the luck and successes in her professionalism goal and new opportunities in helping parents understand the value of signing for all babies. Politics is not the answer. A simple positive message is the answer. Step into that mud puddle of politics, then you risk tainting your own professionalism and an organization's own standard.
Good luck, Barb. I mean it.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
30 comments:
It took Barb Digi a LONG time to realize what you just pointed out in this wonderful post. I also sensed frustration in her resignation video. She's not telling us the true reason for her resignation but that's understandable. They would have slaughtered her name and reputation if she disclosed the real reason. Many of us know that so we understand why she exited as gentle as possible.
The bias of deaf groups and the increasing polarisations of views, is making representation very difficult. Sadly those who are determined to plough the neutral furrow, are being frustrated and squeezed out, by those who demand you are 'on their side' or not. If you speak out, you get hate campaigns aimed at you, where did it all go wrong ?
It's just an organization. It doesn't mean she stop supporting it. I think more professionism means she just want to do more than just advocating. Like making it possible for hearing parents have access to ASL (clerc children or CAEBER are a few example). you all should not put words in her mouth.
I agree with the Holism. Barb did the right thing not to disclose her personal matter inside of the DBC. At this point, we don't need to know about her specific reason for leaving the DBC.
Her statement is very professional.
I honestly am not surprised about the outcome. It's all pattern.
White Ghost
Anonymous 11:38 - Reading her body language is not a form of "putting words in her mouth". If you watched the video carefully and observed her body language you will see all the indications and signs of a frustrated individual. She disclosed more than she intended to in that video.
On top of that, I personally know and understand how DBC's inner circle functioned and Barb does too. She saw what happened to those who left DBC. They were dismissed, as in slaughtered if they disagreed with something. Happened to me. Happened to many others. having said that, I saw the fear in Barb's body language when she did that video.
Try and cover that up all you want to. It still will not dismiss the body language I saw in that video.
Yep, I knew it came. She wake up and smell the coffee.
I agreed with theHolism how She handled her resignation with her gracious way . I would do same thing. She don't have to explain why.
Nice post you have here. Definitely professionalism goes a long way.
I'm the same person who pointed out to you that "oral dissertation" (or however I worded it) may not mean spoken English but in fact "ASL" but not written.
I posted a comment in response to Barb vlog asking her to clarify "professionalism" because she might or not have meant exploring "professional" endeavors.
Regardless what she actually meant and whatever went on behind the scenes, DBC is a dime a dozen entity. Just another entity denied funding from the foundation I'm involved with. Lack of transparency and so forth. It breaks my heart to realize that I'm involved with a foundation and I have to say to the voters not to grant wayward deaf entities monies.
Don't you find it odd that DBC spewed forth entries after the fact. Damage control at its best. SMH. Ugh.
deaf anony @7:14 PM
I thought about that, too, after I blogged it only because in the DBC website wishing her well said, "professional and personal endeavors." Despite that, she has still showed restraint and professionalism on her end. I agree with you on the transparency aspect of it.
Not sure if you realize this but I was referring to Barb's own words, not DBC's. Barb wrote "I have decided it is my best interest to continue to pursue and dedicate more with my time in professionalism and investigate new opportunities."
As one who's pre-lingually and culturally deaf I'm a native user of ASL. My grasp of the English language is intermediate. But, from a grammatical standpoint this on Barb's part doesn't make sense. I commented asking for clarification but of course Barb didn't allow my post to publish.
deaf anony,
I know what you were referring to and I said I thought about it, too, afterwards when realized that Barb may have meant "professional" after I read DBC website about the well wishes to her saying "professional and personal endeavors" which is similar to Barb's.
My first and primary language is spoken English, and I can tell she meant she want to make more use of her degree that she earned from college to step up to a higher level than just advocating for an organization. Alot of people do this do this. I mean, my sister-in-law used to work with an organization that advocate treatment of animals, and she quit because she wanted to do something bigger. It doesn't mean she doesn't like the organization, she respect the organization to this day.
When she vlogged about her trip to Mississippi school for the Deaf to promote Bilingualism with her colleague. I responded first two words to her vlog, "About Time". I think it impacted her because she took action and made a difference. It wasn't from DBC directly...it was from her and her colleague doing as volunteerism or whatnot. I praised her because I only like to see people doing something goodwill rather than talking and not walking.
We shared our discussion and I would donate if she need to go places like she did at Mississippi.
Russell
I understand about "steppingstones" and most often in the deaf community people's true colors show leaving the organizations in the dust while they pursue the almighty dollar---not that the organizations "don't" deserve to be left in such fashion. In this case Barb's not any better than DBC or vice versa. She's onto the next sucker and likewise for DBC. Fact is life goes on.
Off the point but supposedly valid. The below said illustrates why DBC and other deaf organizational dynamics are frequently compromised by ancillary and often "competitive" issues occurring on the side of the pressing issues. This is among many reasons as to why turnover is exceedingly very high within.
I'd like to point out, for example, the Mississippi School for the Deaf, It's fact many would talk but what has been made of this place? They didn't take on momentum necessary to foster long-term fixes.
People with seemingly good intentions used minimal leverage (video) in helping student rally (short-term) but they didn't close the deal by pushing them over the hump (long-term). As a result of this the school is far from where it should be. Why? They didn't care to stick around. Instead, they took onto a new cause.
There's still a schism especially in name of stigma of racism especially when addressing deaf schools long term needs. Certain leaders and proponent talk and do stuff for their own gain but once all is said and done usually with initial objectives they "depress" this talking bad about the place. Losing hope.
Far too many Deaf administrators, faculty, staff, students and parents are staying in comfort zones and not moving to places underrepresented on the deaf national scene such as that of Georgia, Idaho, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada and Utah just to name a few of way too many states ignored by the Deaf establishment. They want short-cut solutions to recognition by means of favoritism, cronyism, nepotism and whatever illicit means of gain.
That's why a few deaf schools are surging ahead in raiding talent (especially if their offsprings are deaf and with athletic abilities) from other deaf schools while wishing the worst on the rest. Capitalizing on unfortunate situations. This is why the prestige of inter-deaf competition is at best--most minimal.
Do you see the Maryland School for the Deaf rallying for other deaf schools' survival? No. We saw nothing from them regarding deaf schools such as Scranton and Mississippi's. Maryland School for the Deaf folks tends to care about themselves and that of Gallaudet (I.e. UFG) and others as long as it benefits only them.
This is why karma bites. People don't realize this but the best deaf schools are in fact operating very far from potential. They're just resting on their laurels.
I would go by what she had translated in English.
Why is it a problem understanding her ASL?
My take is she wants to focus more on what she has always been doing: Bilingual - ASL/English for babies, however she is also focusing on doing it with more professionalism. I guess we can wait till Barb shows up and/or perhaps she would rather not get into it, I don't know...
I think that is pretty much what she is attempting to say without ruffling any feathers.
DeafAnonymous @ 11:27PM: Your comments do reek of arrogance and judgmental sentiment. Did you read?! Barb made a request: "However, I am unable to respond to your questions if you are to inquire further about my resignation. Please respect my request, thank you." ?
Just don't expect respect if you're not showing it. I can set you an example. Mike, Russell, Barry, WhiteGhost, BGMaron8, and Candy most certainly showed respect. You gotta earn it, man.
Anyhow...
Mike! I do appreciate your "professionalism," because that was pure integrity on your part. Thanks, man.
Deaf Anonymous,
In this case Barb's not any better than DBC or vice versa. She's onto the next sucker and likewise for DBC.
by far the best comment in this thread.
Just great. Now I'm trying to remain positive and yet, I'm see a mud dragging behaviour by name-calling. I would prefer not to stoop to that level.
Candy pretty much hit it on the head of the nail. Take it at the face value, not by guessing the 5 W's and 1 H's. It ain't gonna get you anywhere if you're gonna be demanding respect when you aren't clearly showing it. That was directed towards the name-calling culprits.
Barb exited DBC in a very classy manner, and I commend her for that. I think she, like many others, have learned from our own and others' mistakes.
I especially give her credit for saying what she did, because I haven't seen that kind of slick political move online, only offline. The slick move she made that I'm referring to is where she said, "DBC has a lot of potential, if only when focused on its vision and mission." granted, she didn't quite sign that clearly, but her English transcript at the end of the video confirms it.
That's a sharp knife in DBC's back, make no mistake about it! Brilliant and subtle move there, which impresses me.
Read again, it did not say "IF"l
Whoa, ppl already dissecting Barb's resignation notice and speculating on what she meant?
Barb is exiting DBC as graciously as possible, and that was the main point of her vlog.
Ann_C
"DBC has a lot of potential as long as vision and mission are focused for the future of Deaf babies and their families."
AS LONG AS = IF
i.e.
You can have candy AS LONG AS you complete your chore.
You will get your paycheck AS LONG AS you turn in your time sheet.
Anonymous, so what? The lack of the word 'if' does not fundamentally alter her statement. The implication of what Barb said still stands: DBC is NOT following its vision and mission. This clearly played a role in her resignation, otherwise she wouldn't have said what she did.
Look at the sentence itself and the word choice, especially 'potential'. :p
A Deaf Pundit said "Barb exited DBC in a very classy manner, and I commend her for that. I think she, like many others, have learned from our own and others' mistakes."
Would you care to explain what mistakes you and others made?
Yes Perhaps, she gave us a hint....DBC has a lot of 'potential' to......
This tells us that DBC has a lot of work to arrange for the tours. However, they did not provide to make its vision and mission. It was not enough for her to make the 'potential'.
Problem: It *might* have the financial impact. DBC does not affiliate with any of the Deaf Associations except the California Association for the Deaf (CAD). They have not done with car washes, bake sales and many more. I guess many of them who are now involving the Deafhood Foundation.
I could be wrong about this 'potential' issue but Deaf Pundit is right.
White Ghost
*smirks at Anonymous*
I was speaking in generalities - note I said 'our' and not 'my'. After all, everyone has made mistakes, and the v/blogosphere has certainly expressed their opinions regarding these made in public view.
And really, to list 'em all, would take an entire book and hijack McConnell's blog post, which isn't something I want to do. :p
She just saying as LONG AS they don't change their philosophy, it's all good.
I don't know why everyone want to read more than she publicly display. I doubt she would criticize DBC and yet thank them at the same time.
LOL
Whatever rocks people's boat....
We can try to interpret what it is that Barb says....
The truth is out there.
Post a Comment