On Thu, 3 Dec 1998 15:34:42 +0000 Trevor Jenkins
writes:
Here's another thought. Deaf rejection may be powered not
only by the cultural rejection related to resistance to change.
Not only by bigotry relating to teh fact that it was originally
formatted by an "outsider" and hence "non-Deaf." But it may
also be powered by the fact that some hearies in authorative
positions frown upon SW for reasons of their own which I insist
is mostly audism, and so cause and/or justify Deaf rejection.
As a matter of fact, when I had Valerie to come to my
college to give a presentation on SW, we did not see
certain people there (both hearing and Deaf) because
a prominent hearing member and professional who works
with the Deaf, told interested hearing students and Deaf people
SW was a waste of time, rejected by the Deaf Community and
the presentation was not worth going to. We saw a good number
of people attend but so many more would have had they been
properly encouraged instead of discouraged. A pity, because Valerie
did a superb job and people left raving about it and a few who went
are asking me why we haven't had a follow up.
The point is, SW has a lot of opposition and the sad thing
is that the very people who should be advocating true Deaf
literacy are the ones working hardest against it.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
James R. Womack
ASL Instructor
Community College of Southern Nevada
|
SignWriting List Forum