Join guest vlogger, Julie Rems-Smario, as she provides a lovely perspective in response to Joey Baer’s vlog: “Think Global, Act Local.”
YouTubers: Go Here
For more information on the plethora of organizations, agencies and clubs serving the Greater SF Bay Area Deaf Community, go to the Deaf Services Network Directory for Northern California.
i love the vlog! our favorite Julie inspires us as always! thanks for sharing with us!
Left by kira on April 23rd, 2008
Nicely done, and a very important message! Hope the Californians take it in consideration. If I can be any help, let me know.
Left by A Deaf Pundit on April 23rd, 2008
I have to confess, I have mixed feelings about this video.
I do agree that it is a lovely perspective on an important concept, and the video is nicely done.
From that standpoint, I have to say “kudos!” to Julie.
My problem with it was more from the standpoint that I didn’t feel I could really relate to the video because I’m not from the Bay Area or California.
I think to a certain extent, the video kind of points out one of the big divisions that I see in the area of Deaf Services…
If you are from a large city with a large, progressive Deaf Community, then yes… that big bouquet of flowers is indeed something to aim for.
But what happens when you come from an area where you can count the number of services/programs for the Deaf on one hand… if indeed they exist at all?
What happens when you live in an area where the Deaf Community is primarily grassroots, leadership is lacking, communication amongst various programs is problematic at best, and unity is nonexistent?
I live in such an area. While I continue to think globally, trying to act locally has been a lesson in frustration, and truthfully I’ve pretty much given up the effort.
I’m sure I am not alone in feeling this way. Not all Deaf people have the luxury of living in places like San Francisco, Los Angeles, Washington DC, New York City, Chicago, or other comparable areas.
What are those of us who live “in the boonies” so to speak supposed to do? How can we participate in the “think globally, act locally” concept within our own communities, along the lines of Julie’s concept? Or is such a concept impractical for our purposes?
Any thoughts or tips or whatever on such? I’ve been struggling with this for the past several months, ever since I came back home to this area.
Left by Virginia L. Beach on April 23rd, 2008
Awesome Julie, I love how you made this a simple and beautiful concept of shared governance. I love the flowers!
Whether you live in California, big city, small state, or rural parts of America, every club, group, from young to old, everyone’s thoughts and opinions, whether they are similar or different, count as part of the shared process.
This made me think of one my favorite quotes: “I think that one of our most important tasks is to convince others that there’s nothing to fear in difference; that difference, in fact, is one of the healthiest and most invigorating of human characteristics without which life would become meaningless. Here lies the power of the liberal way: not in making the whole world Unitarian [Universalist], but in helping ourselves and others to see some of the possibilities inherent in viewpoints other than one’s own; in encouraging the free interchange of ideas; in welcoming fresh approaches to the problems of life; in urging the fullest, most vigorous use of critical self-examination.”
(Adlai Stevenson).
Thanks for including NorCal!
Thank you for including NorCal Services for Deaf & Hard of Hearing, we are honored to be part of the “village” of our community.
Left by Sheri on April 23rd, 2008
What a beautiful concept, Julie. There are more organizations involved than previously thought and they all have a lot to contribute. They all deserve to be recognized, too.
I ditto Virginia Beach’s sentiments about the ‘Think Globally, Act Locally’. I mentioned to Joey in his vlog, as you can see, with #34 and 36 at http://www.joeybaer.com/?p=137 my personal observations regarding the lack of Deaf Advocacy and Empowerment outside of the big cities.
I am hopeful there will be educational vlogs on Deaf Advocacy for the Deaf people living outside the metropolitian cities. This way, they will become empowered and can do their part in Think Globally, Act Locally.
Left by mishkazena on April 23rd, 2008
Julie surely presented a creative and colorful way to show the concept of having a vision of an ideal society that focuses on the needs and wants of the Deaf. Neat-o!
I learned lot more about what California has to offer and it is unfortunate like Virginia had mentioned that most states are not a match to what California provides. Nevertheless, it is certainly a model for the other states to follow but the drawback is $$$; thus limiting the assets and resources and how undesirable geography and climate can influence the possibility of having the quality of leadership. No offenses here but what I mean is who would want to live in “middle of nowhere”?
I can’t help but think of the word utopia so here is the quote:
“Utopias are models for mimesis usually timed for the future, and the best of them may well have influenced many readers. We do not claim them to be formative to civilization except as they are related to ideals affecting man’s behavior and giving him new aims”. –Nell Eurich (in Science in Utopia , 1967)
Left by Barb DiGi on April 23rd, 2008
So creative!!! Bay area is fortunate to have all these services. I would do anything to have what bay area has in my homefront. Keep up with your positive, shared leadership. We need Joeys and Julies everywhere!
Left by anonymous on April 23rd, 2008
Even I dislike flowers ( I admit I have a flower-phobia!) A beautiful concept! Diane
Left by Diane on April 23rd, 2008
Inspiratonal! DeafRead needs more inspiration like this. Keep up with your good work LaRonda. Julie seems like a lovely guest.
Left by anon on April 23rd, 2008
nice concept
Left by ~v on April 23rd, 2008
I am stoked that Julie included an organization that have members with hearing loss but do not sign much (YET!): Hearing Loss Association of America. I also like the fact that she included all of the legitimate organizations for the deaf and hard of hearing people in the state of California who are working together. I will forward this to all of my HLA friends and explain what you were saying (signing). Thank you for such a beautiful concept & presentation … oh, and the bloopers, too - those were hilarious!
Left by HLA-California on April 23rd, 2008
An excellent presentation about different organizations!!!! May I suggest you to add NTID Alumni Association, CSUN Alumni Association and World Federation of the Deaf? Should we include Deaf sport association?
Left by Leslie on April 24th, 2008
Julie,
How true because that is how the concept of “Think Globally and Act Locally” works hierarchially. Look at all governments, companies, schools, universities, organisations — always starting from the base of the pyramid before the goal is reached at the top. It works well in an egalitarian approach (example: Julie, Ella, Joey, and others) — rather than “me, I, myself, I know everything, you sit.”
Jean Boutcher
Left by Jean Boutcher on April 24th, 2008
Julie, What a beautiful concept!
thanks to LaRonda !
wink!
Left by Sofia on April 25th, 2008
Very lovely concept to expand from Joey’s, Julie!
And beautiful flowers!
You are one beautiful flower, Julie, ya know that?
Thanks, LaRonda, for having her here!
It was nice to watch vlogs again and feeling good to see people appreciating different kind of flowers and wanting to be in the same basket.
At this time, unfortunately, I can’t water the flowers ‘cuz I gotta focus on school/internship - but I certainly will smell the flowers and hug the basket!
Thanks again, ladies!
Left by IamMine on April 25th, 2008