Deaf in Milwaukee, ASL Now and Be Careful

Dear Friends of Americal Sign Language,

Over this past week, I received numerous videophone calls about my vlog as it appears in Jack Barr's blogsphere. Some wished to know why I wasn't careful in my criticism of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) and Communication Services of the Deaf (CSD) for being passive toward efforts by a grassroot organization, Deaf Bilingual Coalition (DBC). Why be careful?

The Deaf world today is a very different community from what it was in the past. Many aspects of Deaf life had, and still have, suffered a greater extent from language and culture oppression: we the Deaf were told again and again the real reasons why there were several successful Deaf people. They could sign and talk at the same time, and those who were incapable of doing so were simply marginalized as tokens.

We were also told by our own people to "be careful" because there is always someone in government agencies, both state and federal, who is ever-vigilant and requires all options available to parents of the Deaf who know absolutely nothing about our needs and wants for language and leisure. In fact, there's never someone in these government agencies who is mean-spirited toward American Sign Language (ASL).

While a student at Gallaudet, for example, I was scolded by Deaf professors for being sloppy in signing. I needed to sign in the word order to show my ability to command English and, therefore, to respect those in power who didn't understand ASL. During my senior year, I applied and won the Thomas J. Watson Fellowship simply because I was not "careful" in my interview with the representative from the Watson Foundation that underwrote my fellowship award. I told during the interview that I would be mostly hypocritical and oppressive if I signed in the English word order.

If you notice anyone who signs in the English word order, then you will know the hypocrite and the oppressor!

What I understood from my videophone conversations was that there were some concerns about my reputation. I was told that I did not have a reliable reputation to make new meanings and that I was problematic. Some people got upset by my remarks in several vlogs and demanded that I be apologetic about them. I remain amazed by this Deaf-on-Deaf oppression that seems to remain pervasive.

We must fight on! ASL is not merely an "option"; being Deaf is THE matter of fact. For some who believe so, it's God's choice! ASL Now! I shall NEVER submit to anyone who tells me to "be careful" about ASL.

See you in Milwaukee, Wisconsin!

Sincerely,

Carl Schroeder