Join LaRonda as she offers her opinion about the basic philosophical difference between culturally Deaf people and Cochlear Implant users.
Transcript:
Hi. I just arrived home from work and I have a vlog idea right here, turning in my brain. I’m ready and want to share it with you. Yes! It’s been hard lately because I’ve had “vlogger’s block.” Phft! Anyway, I’m here now…
I want to share my opinion. I’ve been following the blogs and vlogs on DeafRead all along, and I’m aware of the many struggles between deaf Cochlear Implant (CI) users and the core group of culturally Deaf, ASL users. Or, the struggle between those who identify themselves as hard of hearing, hearing aid users, and those whose focus is on hearing and speaking, and those who identify themselves American Sign Language (ASL) and visual communication. The battles goes on….
Lately, the CI users are asking culturally Deaf people, “WHY?! Why can’t you accept us? Why must the Deaf community reject us and appear so hostile?”
Hmmm… I think, really… wait, first, being hostile is not okay behavior. Period. Bad behavior is not the same as Deaf behavior. Hostility tends to be a personal issue. But the broader issue and concern about the Deaf communities’ perception that CI users do not really fit in or belong is more about a basic philosophical difference:
What do people who use CI’s want? To HEAR. They want to experience SOUND.
Deaf people who use ASL and choose not to use CI’s tend to identify themselves as “Deaf.” They DON’T WANT TO HEAR. They don’t need to hear. They want visual communication through ASL.
Therein lies the basic philosophical difference. Does it mean one perspective or choice is better than the other? No. It’s simply two different points of view.
Mutual rejection, criticism or backstabbing, etc., is not okay on either part. But, it’s important to understand that people experience shock at feelings of hatred, and that this causes a person to deeply ask, “WHY?!”
The bottom line: There are different philosophies. One side wants to hear and thinks it’s important to hear, while the other side doesn’t need to hear and doesn’t think it’s important to hear.
Now, I understand this experience because I grew up hearing. I remember the first few years after I became deaf, how much I wanted to hear again! I wanted to hear sooo bad! I grieved the loss of music and the ease of communication. But, my world shifted. I became involved with the Deaf world. I went to Gallaudet. I took up and learned ASL, and that’s where my focus went.
Really, I feel like a Phoenix bird that is consumed in it’s own fire. I was gone. The old “hearing” LaRonda was gone. And in it’s place was a new bird, a new LaRonda, who rose from the ashes. And I accepted my new Deaf self.
Must I get a CI? No, because I became fluent in ASL. Must I hear music again? No, because I see music in the RHYTHM of LIFE around me. In fact, I have become even more aware of my other senses: sight, touch, smell, taste, intuition, etc. I feel okay with myself. Therefore, I don’t need to have a CI. I don’t want the surgery. I have never wanted that surgery or my head being cut open. Nope. Don’t want it. but I UNDERSTAND people who do. That’s great! Good for them! I personally don’t have a problem with people who want CI’s.
But I understand their concerns, or question: “Why can’t we belong? Why don’t we fit in with the Deaf world? Why must we experience constant rejection from this group? WHY?!”
It’s just about the basic philosophical difference: Some Deaf people don’t want to hear. The CI emphasis is on sound and speech and auditory listening, which turns culturally Deaf people off. They don’t feel this is their path. When CI users try to join in the culturally Deaf community, it is perceived as if they are taking over and trying to remove the Deaf person’s natural identity. That’s my opinion, at least. Deaf people don’t want their identity to be overtaken and therefore, the natural response is to push that away. They are happy with who they are and want to stay just the way they are.
I also understand this because I identify myself with that culturally Deaf group. I’m happy with who I am. Many people have asked me why I have not gotten a CI. They tell me I would be the perfect candidate for a CI because I could once hear. Some find it hard to believe that I have not pursued this. But my response is that I don’t need a CI because I don’t need to hear. I rely on visual communication through ASL. My world is different now. I feel I have fully accepted myself as a DEAF person.
That.
(ILY Wave)
Comment »
Left by Amy Cohen Efron on June 4th, 2008
This is the transcript of my vlog comment above for the signing-impaired.
________________________________________________________
Hi LaRonda. It’s 1:15am here in East coast time. I know you’re from the West coast. You’re still awake, but I’m tired!
That.
Your message was perfect. It was a nice approach with a good discussion of both perspectives. Yes. They are opposites. There are 2 camps. Both camps are fine. Both are happy in what they each do.
This camp (Deaf) goes along in life just fine. They are successful, have jobs, and life is good. Their communication through ASL and their social interactions are just fine.
The other camp, CI users who focus on hearing and talking rather than signing, and who listen to music and use their voices to speak, and who have strengths in written English, are getting along just fine too.
Yet both have a similarity. Hearing loss.
In the beginning, we knew that both camps were small in numbers. Yet the numbers changed when it became political. The number of CI users became much, much larger than Deaf ASL users. This caused Deaf people to become the minority. The Deaf camp cherishes ASL. They believe ASL to be their beautiful language that is rich with benefits.
Yet, the CI camp has continued to grow larger and the outside hearing world looks at this growth and thinks, “How wonderful! Deaf people can hear again! Wonderful!” That’s the view of the majority and they encourage the continued use of CI’s. However, the majority look at this small minority of Deaf people and says, “What’s this? What’s that? Ohhhh… they use a different language…” Those differences make the majority of people uncomfortable. They try to influence Deaf people to go to the other camp. To hear.
So, the cause of the tension between the two camps is a result of the majority trying to influence this change. They think by doing this, they are bringing the 2 camps together, to show diversity within the group as a whole. The problem is that the 2 groups do not get along.
However, I believe one day, we will get along. How? Through mutual respect. Respect. Each camp needs to respect each other.
When CI users start to tell Deaf people what they should do or believe or change, this Deaf group bands together and pulls away and says, “Finish! Leave us alone!” You’re right, LaRonda! It goes the other way as well, like when Deaf people throw out their ideologies about ASL as the only way. Really, it’s about choices.
Now, when it comes to Deaf babies, why is it okay that hearing babies are allowed to sign, but Deaf babies are not being allowed to sign? They are being taught how to speak, and the emphasis is placed on hearing sounds. Signing is not permitted. Puzzling! It doesn’t make sense to me. What’s wrong with both? What about signing? I think a lot of it has to do with language issues. One language that is perceived to be superior over the other. English is perceived to be the right choice, while ASL is too different and awkward.
Sigh.
That.
Left by Amy Cohen Efron on June 4th, 2008
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Left by DeafPulse.com - the one-stop pulse for all Deaf-related news and blogs. on June 4th, 2008
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Left by DeafPulse.com - the one-stop pulse for all Deaf-related news and blogs. on June 4th, 2008
I agree with what both of you have said here, but I still feel so upset. Many of the CI’ers encourage BOTH ASL and speech. Personally, I LOVE ASL and I honestly understand where LaRonda’s coming from. Though I’d love to hear music again, I am frightened by the idea of hearing clearly. Just as LaRonda indentifies with being Deaf, I identify with deafness. It’s who I am. I’m sure if I were fluent in ASL, had a job that didn’t require speaking and a signing husband I would be quite comfortable. But. . . it’s too late to change.
The problem that I have is DeafRead treated a blogger inappropriately without following their very own guidelines. I don’t care WHO the blogger was, DeafRead needs to adhere to its own rules of conduct. I realize she was highly contentious to the Deaf community. At the same time, I also know that those who were SO offended by her never had to read her blog or comment on it. With the recent “custom” changes to DeafRead, people need not have been aware she was even posting. Clearly, they went looking for a fight. So whatever in-fighting there was came from those who went looking for it in her blog. They could have simply ignored her. But they didn’t. Her reaction? She moderated them, of course.
She’s been treated unfairly, which underscores for me a basic truth I’ve known all along– that deaf people can never be treated equally. Not here and not in the hearing world. And that hurts LaRonda. Because I put up with the same daily crap the rest of you have to contend with.
And let me just say one final thing– Tony’s blog is extremely offensive to many deaf people. He’s incredibly sarcastic toward the hearing and deaf alike, yet you won’t see us pulling our hair out over his raging. We simply ignore him.
Left by kim on June 5th, 2008
Like I said in my response to DeafRead, the bottom line of value clashes is language power. It is too easy for a dominant language to take over take a language of minority culture. In the Deaf - Hoh scenario, not everyone has access to spoken language, this is not a choice.
Second, I mentioned about for profit backing and infiltration, is that what we should let this to happen in the Deaf community?
Mike, drink your own bubbly brew. (I even do not bother to read the rest of it anyway)
Anne Marie
Left by Anne Marie on June 5th, 2008
LaRonda,
PERFECT! This vlog says it all! Thank you for doing this.
Ali
Left by Allison Tyler on June 5th, 2008
aww i loved this post… you’re beautiful.
Left by dog food on June 5th, 2008
LaRonda — You are partly correct — it is partly a “philosophical” difference, but more importantly, it is a CULTURAL difference. For the Deaf culture, our VALUES are centered around vision and using ASL. When someone does not rely on these, or minimizes or denigrates their importance, then that person is demonstrating that they don’t SHARE our values. As Amy indicated, Deaf people are in a minority that cherishes their values, just as other minorities (Jews, American Indians, Blacks, etc.) cherish theirs. Minority groups don’t want to be told by the majority that their values are wrong, because they are not — they are just different values. This is part of the reason why Deaf people have animosity towards the Cochlear Implant — the CI, by its very nature is a statement that the Deaf’s values are “wrong”. And, this is why Deaf are so frustrated with CI users — to us, it feels like they have been “co-opted” by the majority’s (Hearing) values, and worse, they are then coming back and trying to impose the majority’s values on us from “within” by talking up why the CI is so great for them and why we should just accept it for ourselves. So, the Deaf community is acting in cultural self-preservation (as any culture would do when sensing an attack from any source) by being vocal and oppositional to the CI, no matter who is using it or has one. To say “OK, there’s nothing wrong with CI” would be tantamount to cultural suicide, since that would mean that the Deaf culture would become a subculture of the Hearing culture, rather than as a cultural group of their own existing within the larger Hearing society. It’s 4 am here so I can’t express my thoughts more coherently, but I think you got the basic gist.
Left by Don Grushkin on June 5th, 2008
Hello LaRonda and Amy,
First of all, I really enjoy both your ongoing vlogs ever since i first saw them a while back. Relating to the issue of two groups, I agree with both of you - philosophy and language issues. I feel the bottom line are babies and their rights - Deaf community want to make sure Deaf babies have access while Deaf CI feel choices are important. that is an ongoing battle. also the Deaf CI has more power, because they get affirmation from majority, while the Deaf Community have been fighting agains oppression for so many years. I am repeating what you all already know - so my point is I agree with LaRonda, and i feel Amy has really pointed out the hot issue that is causing great conflict for everyone. I love signing - it is my life. anyway, I agree about needing respect for both groups and better communication and understanding.
I think since Deaf hood has been published we have been growing a lot and becoming more confident in ourselves. Wow.
Noni
Left by Noni Warner on June 5th, 2008
Now that you have mentioned two groups, audiology focused group and linguistic-cultural group having their own philosophy, but please may I add is that it is a matter of attitude and respect. The word HATE may be coming on too strong as I would use the word dislike when talking about their values and for what they believe in.
Also, there are reversed groups…those who hear rather well are part of linguistic-cultural group and those who hear a little are part of audiology focused group.
In my nutshell, I would just say, “ok, that is what they want for themselves and it is not for me to tell them what to do.” All I can is to share the aspects of linguistic-cultural life and research based documents stating that Deaf children practicing bilingual approach that involves bicultural experience are well being children. There are success stories for them like it is some for the other group.
I think there are claims that put us in a doubtful state especially when research statements clash into each other. My conclusion? What works for the child works. If it doesn’t, then change the strategies and/or methods. In the meantime, more and more data are showing more positive outcomes for bilingual Deaf children.
I realize that for you, it is a rarity for an once-hearing-person not wanting to hear again. Thanks for taking the time to explain your reasons. When you mentioned that you have accepted your deafness, I wonder if it has to do with location that makes you accept more knowing that you are surrounded by respected Deaf cultural people. Imagine that you live in a rural area surrounded by hearing people, would it be different for you?
Left by Barb DiGi on June 5th, 2008
Im floored! Your VLOG sent out so powerful, beautiful and positive message. True, the bottom line for that is desiring to hear or continue wanting to enjoy see things and that is it! Attitudes makes difference. \|,,|
Left by deafKathy on June 5th, 2008
To an outsider, it seems very similar to how bisexual people are sometimes regarded in terms of gay and lesbian rights and how biracial people are also sometimes regarded.
I meant that I don’t just see CI users wandering around clueless saying, “Why don’t thee like us?” They seem to get that. The issue for them seems to be that if they have CIs, culturally Deaf people demand that they identify as Deaf and prove that they are “one of us,” and when they do try to become part of the community, they are then rejected and told, “How dare you call yourselves one of us?” It’s really a lose-lose situation all around. I don’t know what the solution is.
Left by Janis on June 5th, 2008
Kudos Laronda!! You’ve said it all. Love you….
Left by Linda on June 5th, 2008
LaRonda - As a Bilateral CI user - all I can is “WELL SAID!”
It is so obvious that it’s your decision that you do not want to hear, and that’s okay. I want to hear because I grew up “hearing” things, and music. If I became involved with the silent world, I just can’t do it.
I thank you so much for sharing this, and you made it so clear of the Whys.
Now, I have a question - how do you feel about children being implanted and their parents not doing the full toolbox. Basically, they just teach their child how to speak, but not ASL or the Deaf Culture. I’m waiting to see the thousands of children that was implanted during the last couple years, when they become teens and adults. I wonder if they ever would feel so isolated.
I haven’t had one person say to me, “Why did you get the CI surgery? You do not belong in the Deaf Community.” I think it’s because I was never really involved to begin with. Sure, I can sign fluently, but it’s not the same.
Again, I applaud you for getting the message clear, and your personal beliefs were not one sided.
Left by Cyborg Queen on June 5th, 2008
love your asl-wave signatures.
nice that you brought perspective that people are different and to watch our behavior. attitude is 90% reaction. you really brought a narrowed focus on a big problem.
woo hoo!
Left by todoslavie on June 5th, 2008
Janis,
You got it. It’s not only about CI people either, it’s all people with hearing loss, who for whatever reason — late-deafened, or were raised orally, etc.– aren’t fluent in ASL. Even when we try to learn ASL, we’re set apart because our ASL isn’t good enough, or we’re “bothering” them by asking how to sign things. I know so many people who have literally been ignored by Deaf people. Backs were turned against them!! Other Deaf will make excuses. “Oh well that person is angry because her hearing parents treated her badly, so she’s just taking it out on you. . .blah, blah,blah.” Does it occur to any of you that HH and late-deaf people have ALSO been treated badly by hearing people???
I know several late-deaf women whose hearing husbands have left when they lost their hearing. I know quite a few HH and late-deaf people who have lost jobs because they couldn’t hear. We have to pay out of pocket for our hearing aids too, just like you. We also have to deal with the daily reminders that we are different wherever we go. We can’t use phones, we can’t hear announcements, we can’t go to the movies with our families because they aren’t captioned. . . The list is endless. We’re NOT hearing. Deaf people don’t have the corner market on suffering.
Then — after all this rejection from the Hearing, we get the same treatment from the Deaf.
Left by kim on June 5th, 2008
LaRonda, that was beautiful! It also brought out a healthy and stimulating discussion!
Left by Rox on June 5th, 2008
LaRonda and Amy, you hit the nail right on the head. So did many of the commenters. After all the acrimony of the latest issue re:the removal of a blogger from DR, it was really like a balm to view your vlog and see the positive comments.
I agree that it’s not ok to exhibit hostility on either sides of the chasm between cultural-linguistic camp and the auditory-oriented camp. The cultural self-preservation instinct (for want of a better term) has really kicked in big time lately especially when we encounter attitudes that disrespects the value of ASL and Deaf culture. We are most definitely seeing the clashes in DeafRead. We need to learn to channel that cultural self-preservation instinct into positive ways despite pain and anger that result from years of oppression and encountering attitudes of the majority.
Attitude is such a powerful thing that can bridge the gap which is at times a chasm. Your attitude is an excellent example, for one. Ditto for the other commenters here.
Mutual respect between the two camps will go a long way towards becoming united. Right now, we are too divided. This is where DBC comes in… a very good start to begin building bridges and educating people that Deaf babies deserve the BEST start in life. The That is definitely a cause worth uniting behind.
Excellent vlog…straight from the heart!
Shelley
Left by Shelley Potma on June 5th, 2008
Beautifully Superb
Left by Deb Ann on June 5th, 2008
LaRonda,
Beauté! Chacun à son goût!
Jean
Left by Jean Boutcher on June 5th, 2008
Hello LaRonda,
Very nice vlog!! You sign beautifully!!
I am amazed at your ability as a late-deafened adult! 
I was thinking of what you said about the CI and deaf ASL-users issue. My opinion of the reason that the CI users/late-deafened ppl tend to be rejected by the ASL users is they’re afraid that if they accept the CI/late-deafened group and respect their perspective and choices in life, then perhaps later, eventually, the late-deafened ppl will slowly take over the control of the whole group simply because they could hear before and “understand” the hearing world better than them, could speak better to “fight” against the hearing world but risk going over their side instead of the deaf side, etc. Maybe that’s the very reason for their utmost fear.
Nita
Left by Nita on June 6th, 2008