While I am still relatively new to the deaf blog/vlog world, I have been reading long enough to figure out which vlog/blog posts capture my attention, and which posts capture my attention and my heart.
The posts that capture my attention and my heart tend to be:
- positive
- educational
- solution focused
I like these best because it gives me, the reader/viewer, an idea how I can be a positive role model, a greater advocate and a better steward in the deaf community.
I realize that I have a choice of where I want to put my thoughts, time and energy when I read the posts on DeafRead. I find myself more drawn to those blogs/vlogs that ask questions, seek answers, and offer ideas and solutions to the oppression and injustice deaf people face, rather than those posts that just talk about it.
Telling stories about the past and current oppression does help raise consciousness. I will not argue or disagree with the importance of sharing this history. But I find myself wanting to take it a step further.
I find myself thinking:
- What are we doing about it?
- What has been done?
- What success stories can we celebrate and highlight for our young deaf readers/viewers?
- What can we encourage these young people to do that will make a difference in their own future?
- What wisdom do we have to share?
- What hope are we giving them for their tomorrows?
- What is our legacy to deaf youth?
One example of a solution-oriented post that I thoroughly enjoyed is found on Joey Baer’s ASL Vlog. There, he presented a scenario of what happened to him while ordering food in an airport. He was challenged when the hearing cooks were unable to read his notes, not because he couldn’t write, but because they couldn’t read.
What made this particular post so popular with readers and viewers was that he asked people what they would do in his shoes. The responses came in by the hundreds! And they were all so positive and solution focused! People did share their own unique experiences which contributed toward the raising of awareness of the challenges we as deaf people face on a daily basis. But, it went a step further by inviting viewers/readers to offer solutions and ideas on how to deal with these challenges. I found this way cool! This is the kind of vlog post that captured my heart.
I find that I don’t just want to read about the historical or present-day challenges we all face. I want a role to play in bringing about social justice, positive change and better quality of life for deaf people!
So here’s an invitation, suggestion or solution - call it what you will:
When we send out messages about the hardships, challenges, oppression (past or present), or inequality of deaf people living in a hearing world, consider:
- asking people for ideas and suggestions
- adding our own solutions to these challenges so that others may benefit
- giving our readers and viewers opportunities to play a positive role in bringing about social awareness and a better quality of living for the many diverse groups of deaf people.
People who read the comments and responses will then know what they can do, or what has already been done individually and collectively as a group to bring about positive change.
And our young deaf people will use these as stepping stones to continue the journey and quest for respect, accessibility and equality, and pick up where we leave off. That will be our legacy and gift to deaf youth.
*Comments and further suggestions strongly encouraged and welcome. 
My name is LaRonda Zupp.
I am Deaf. Welcome to
"The Ear of My Heart."
Hi! exactly my sentiments…. however, as we know, one cant really help others unless they help themselves. And one way to do that is to pause, give ourselves time to REFLECT and be challenged, to DISCOURSE, and the ACTION shall come naturally as we become more aware of the injustice and seek and try out various SOLUTIONS. Some of us are more ready, some of us need time, some have been there and are exhausted and need the time to REST and REFLECT and the cycle goes on and the battle goes on….and then people like you bring us all HOPE. Everyone is a blessing.
Left by Ella on March 16th, 2007
Wow! That is a really nice blog! Dont just do the talk, but walk the talk and make a difference.
Left by Jay on March 17th, 2007
Hello,
good post. I was thinking that right now on Deaf Read we are turning more to our history to understand where we are coming from such as analyzing the history behind the signs EAR CLOSE and EAR MOUTH. We are reaching out to the past because we have something in common.
Deaf Read is a good place for us to talk about it, just express our feelings, and sometimes it is not always about focusing on the solutions. Sometimes we need someone to just listen. Someone who can understand the feelings and listen. It is like if you had a friend who lost a beloved one and is grieving. All they want is someone to just listen and be there instead of listening to advice and solutions. So we are there to support each other and say ok, we have been there and we are here for you.
Oppression is a painful experience. I have cried through it many times but that didn’t mean I gave up. It didn’t mean I did nothing about it. There were times when I felt no energy to keep on. That is when I need the support and encouragement to keep going.
But I think you are right, we do need to find ways how to deal with that. Ways that can benefit us. Not always easy. Look at what we just had to face with Gallaudet. It took 6 months of a protest, half a year and for the 2nd time in 20 years. And yet we are still not finished. There is the SLCC situation where we need them to recognize ASL more. There are other issues that NAD is dealing with. There are issues in different states. There is Deaf education. So on and on. We are not doing nothing here at all. There are many of us working very hard to change things. Heck, there is more work for us to do. Even though we have accomplished much.
Just my thoughts and maybe someone else can say something more.
Left by Jessica on March 17th, 2007
Ah… Thank you friends for the gentle reminder. I sometimes forget people have the need to just talk and be heard. I guess I need to remember that. I accept your words with an open mind and open heart.
I do know that I view myself as an activator, a doer, a get-the-job-done kind of person. So when I see a challenge, I tend to roll up my sleeves and do what I can to meet the challenge and move forward. As a result, I make a good leader.
But even a good driver needs to wait until everyone is on the bus before she drives ahead. The best I can do is show people the map and give them direction for the destination ahead. I’m the kind of person the gives the bus it’s gas and puts the key into the ignition. I’m ready to roll. My mission is to move ahead.
Still, I can appreciate the need for people to pause and reflect, and just tell their stories. Thank you for your comments. I appreciate them.
~ LaRonda
Left by LaRonda on March 17th, 2007
Hey Laronda;
Just wanted you to know I’m still reading you blog. I must say it gives me an insight on how to handle things, plus a new way of looking at things. I don’t if you know who I am I’m trying to remain annoymous. If it helps at all I volunteered at SJCD last summer. I stayed up two hours last night reading your blog. It made me think about the time my dad told me a story about the Deaf women at Starbucks who got his order wrong. Every person makes a mistake but it’s up to us to fix it, learn from it, and to try, try, and try again. I’ve come to learn that. I use to be a perfectionist but now becoming Deaf I found that nobody is and nobody can be. So we need to take the time to look back and really see what can be done. There is a way around everything but it’s up to us to find them. They are there just keep looking…
Left by Moley on March 18th, 2007
Hi LaRonda!
I love your website! You are a beautiful spirit! Thank you! I will love to contact you via email. What is your address?
Blessings!
Jill Lestina
Left by Jill Lestina on March 18th, 2007
Hi Moley.
I know who you are and will respect your desire to remain anonymous. No problem. I’m glad you are making comments. I encourage you to continue. People read comments to blog/vlog posts and it helps raise awareness of individual and group experiences. I am blessed that you are reading my writings. You have great depth and wisdom to share in your own evolution of becoming deaf.
Hugs.
~ LaRonda
Left by LaRonda on March 18th, 2007
Hi Jill!
I’ll send you my e-mail separately. I’m glad to get your blessings on my blog/vlog posts.
I look forward to getting to know you better.
~ LaRonda
Left by LaRonda on March 18th, 2007
LaRonda! You did it again. I am now able to go to bed with wonderful spiritual thoughts you sparked for me. I look forward to exchanging more ideas with you! Bless ya!
Xo
Julie Rems-Smario
Left by Julie Rems-Smario on March 18th, 2007
Hi LaRonda ~
I agree…I really like Joey’s approach that he used in his vlog encouraging us to share our suggestions for ways to deal with his restaurant situation. This is the kind of “intelligent discourse” that we need more of in the Deaf Community. It’s like one of my former teachers told me – “don’t be part of the problem…be part of the solution.”
This is what we need to teach our children – how to be part of that solution. And we need encourage them to discuss their ideas for solutions, no matter how “outlandish” they might seem to be. It is only by allowing them the right to express their thoughts, that we can then assist in guiding their minds.
I think the greatest legacy that we can leave to our children is to be a positive role model, setting an example that they will desire to follow. When I am talking to my Goddess-Daughter Muirin, I try hard to remember that she looks up to me and sees me as an example of the type of person she wants to be. My hope is that she can be even better!
I know she reads the posts on my blogs, and we often discuss them, and sometimes she leaves comments. She’s always telling me how wise I am, and I’m always telling her how smart she is!
I think that’s where it begins…
Left by Ocean on March 24th, 2007