Through Deaf Eyes is an insightful documentary detailing the history of both deaf culture and deaf education and describing many of the struggles which were encountered during the deaf communities fight for recognition. There were several points of interest in the film that I feel are crucial to understanding the deaf community; first, is the method used to educate deaf children. The early 19th century was a time of reform, especially in the religious community; it was believed that anyone could be saved as long you chose to believe. Many teachers of deaf students saw their role in the child (rens) life as slightly missionary. They could help save the deaf child from eternal damnation and in the process return the child to the hearing world.…
Similarly, the Deaf child, however raised, has a Deaf heritage form birth. Most children who cannot communicate well in spoken language will, when allowed to, learn signed language, become acculturated to Deaf culture, marry Deaf, and identify themselves as members of the Deaf World. A distinguished otologist has contended that Deaf children start out in mainstream hearing society and enter the Deaf World in adolescence. Most children in the Deaf World cannot communicate with their parents who know no sign language, and while their home may be nurturing, it cannot be substantially acculturating. The anormality of having culturally different parents is then both a centrifugal and centripetal force in the Deaf World. At the same time, the anomaly propels Deaf people toward the Deaf World, since identification with the Deaf World offers pride, language, instruction, role models, a culturally compatible spouse, and more than cannot be had…
In the movie The Rookie, directed by John Lee Hancock, the director tells a story about a high school baseball coach from Texas named Jimmy Morris. Morris’s dream throughout his life was to make it to the big leagues and play with the very best in the game. He faced multiple challenges that tried to hold him back from his dream. One of the challenges he faced was his dad, his father disapproved of him playing baseball and didn’t support him playing at a young age. Another big challenge was the town Morris’s family moved to, they didn’t care for baseball and there was nowhere to play. In the end, an injury ended his career and he knew it was time to give it up. Eventually, Morris got married and had three children,…
In this book, Deaf in America, by Carol Padden and Tom Humphries, the two authors wrote stories, jokes, performances, and experiences of Deaf people. They also wrote Deaf culture and Deaf people’s lives from various angles. This book is great navigator of Deaf world for hearing people and even Deaf people as me. There are several factors attracting reader. To begin with, I could learn about backgrounds of deaf people and hearing people. Authors wrote about a Deaf boy who was born into a deaf family. Until he discovered that a girl playmate in neighborhood was “hearing”, he didn’t notice about “Others”. Authors explained, “She was HEARING and because of this did not know how to SIGN; instead she and her mother TALK” (Chapter 1). This story strongly impressed me. I was born into a Deaf family too, but I grew up with hearing grandparents. In my childhood, I did intensive oral training with my grandparents. So, I can sign JSL and talk Japanese smoothly. Therefore I never felt emotion like this occasion, “Others” to hearing people. The next factor is difference of “Deaf” and “deaf”. For example, the capitalized “Deaf” people are not only “deaf” but also user of Sign Language. I haven’t known the meaning of “Deaf” and “deaf” exactly before, thanks to this book, now I can understand. When I analyzed myself, I identified as “Deaf” because I truly cherish Sign Language. In addition, Sign Language is explained as a primary mode of communication for Deaf people including me. It has full access to communication for us. Unfortunately, some hearing people misunderstand that Sign Language is a kind of gestural communication. Authors wrote about it, “ASL are often thought to be direct representations of spoken words” (Chapter 3). In my country, Japan, there are some misconceptions about JSL too. Sign Language has both iconic and abstract concept.…
As one would expect, struggles to preserve sign language, drive automobiles, obtain employment in private and government sectors, access information, recognize American Sign Language, be treated equally, and preserve the right to determine their own destiny strengthened the cohesiveness of the Deaf community over the years. At the same time, the growing diversity within the Deaf community no longer provided consensus or universal views on issues related to educational placements and technological advancements such as cochlear implantation. It is too early to discuss these issues from a historical standpoint,…
Cited: How Deaf Children Learn: What Parents and Teachers Need to Know (Perspectives on Deafness)." By Marc Marschark. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Apr. 2013.…
"Through Deaf Eyes," a two-hour HDTV documentary for PBS, explores nearly 200 years of Deaf life in America. The film presents the shared experiences of American history - family life, education, work, and community connections - from the perspective of deaf citizens. Narrated by actor Stockard Channing, the film includes interviews with former Gallaudet University president, Dr. I. King Jordan, and actors Marlee Matlin and Bernard Bragg, as well as historians and deaf Americans with diverse views on language use, technology and identity. The film presents the story of Deaf life in America - a story of conflicts, prejudice and affirmation that reaches the heart of what it means to be human. "Through Deaf Eyes" will be broadcast on Wednesday,…
While viewing "In the Land of the Deaf" it help me seeing how hard of hearing kids figure out how to hear by utilizing Hearing aids. Its overview differentiating the stories of a family who has been hard of hearing and with the narrative of a lady whose deafness was misconstrued. The film shows Deaf individuals of all ages, children to grown-ups. With their similar deafness, the kids and grown-ups in this film communicate their dreams, thoughts and ideas through sign language which is used for them to communicate. While watching “See What I mean: Differences Between Deaf and Hearing Cultures” it help me comprehend and accomplish a more better understanding of culturally diverse point of view and valuation for Deaf and listening to societies…
Being honest, from the very beginning of the movie my notions were challenged when I noticed that this video was going to be silent. It only happened to me for a couple seconds and then it became obvious to me that there was no other way to make a video about this matter than soundless. The video itself tries to make a statement to all the viewers so we can reflect on the previous perceptions and preconceptions that we have about the meaning of the word “deaf”. Moreover, it successfully proves that sing languages such as ASL are as valuable and eloquent as any other spoken or written language. In that nature, the video also intends that the movie becomes the grand opening of a series of other artistic production where sign language can be deeply explore and fully understand.…
As stated before, not knowing anything about the Deaf culture I was committed to learning as much as I could through this short film to expand my knowledge in the Deaf culture. I learned through the film that people who are Deaf have absolutely no problem with not being able to hear and having to talk using Sign Language. The Deaf communities do not consider being Deaf as flawed or even disabled, but believe they were born Deaf for a reason. The Deaf communities consider Sign Language as their own culture or even heritage - just like any other heritage that may practice their own language with others of the same…
Born hearing to deaf, signing parents, Mark gradually lost his hearing. Despite the fact that his deaf parents preferred sign communication, Mark was raised and educated without the use of sign language. His parents and grandparents were concerned that sign might interfere with speech and restrict his educational achievement. Although Mark became increasingly hard-of-hearing, he worked hard to "pass" as a hearing person. This ambition, he later discovered, actually constricted his cognitive development and limited the depth of relationships with family and friends. During these long years, he just "didn’t know what (he) was missing." When he later learned American Sign Language (ASL), chose to mix with deaf people, and learned to perceive deafness as something special, his horizons expanded. He came to value communication and relationships above the things that seemed so important to many people, such as image, income, status, skills, religious background, or race.…
Thomas K. Holcomb’s book, Introduction to American Deaf Culture, shines a light on the deaf community and the culture they experience. The intended audience, however, is the hearing. It gives the reader insight on deaf experiences and how the atmosphere is different, even though the environment is the same. All aspects of culture are covered. The book starts off with how the culture is formed through the 5 hallmarks (p. 17). Next, the book focuses on the identity of a deaf person. This is not only limited to, labeling from the rest of the world, but also by how the person sees himself. After, the book discusses the core values the deaf community has. These values are much different when compared to the hearing community. They focus on the person engaging as a full member of society. This is done through communication, interacting, and having a sense of self-worth in the community (104-107). Eventually, literature and art are mentioned. The classifications are difficult to place. There are American works, but with the growing awareness in the recent year they have earned their own Deaf category. This is important to the deaf community because it allows “Deaf people’s lives to be better…
"What the Bleep Do We Know", is a fascinating documentary film that utilizes fictional story lines, computer animation and discussions by several scientists and philosophers to present a viewpoint of the physical universe and human life within it, with connections to neuroscience and quantum physics. The general idea was that since quantum mechanics supposedly says that there isn't one reality, but an infinite number of possibilities, one just has to be enlightened to an awareness of this, and then you can make whatever you want, happen. Within the plot, the main character of the movie (played by Marlee Matlin) essentially was educated of amazing facts about quantum physics, in which helps her deal with her anxiety attacks, bad body image and…
I really enjoyed watching this film, and I learned alot about the deaf community that I didnt know before, as well as how to interact with people that are apart of this community.…
For my first graded assignment in this class, I decided to interview a speech pathologist, named Ms. Caraway, that I’ve known for many years. Ms. Caraway initially became interested in deaf education at a young age in grade school, sometime after being introduced to sign language. She was fascinated by it, and eventually it led her to a class project in junior high that involved shadowing a professional. She shadowed a speech-language pathologist and observed many sides of the profession. She decided on that day, “This is what I am meant to do.”…