Part 5 of 6 video clips taken in Sacramento on the day of International Celebration of Sign Languages. 9/27/08. In this clip, Ella Mae Lentz, David Eberwein, David Reynolds and other members of the Deaf Bilingual Coalition share their support in celebration of ASL for Deaf children. Note: I missed Barb Digi’s part because my tape ran out during her presentation. Grrrr… Let it be known, I adore Barb and this was simply a tech glitch. I missed her piece. But you can find part of it on her post by clicking here: (Transcript below)

Transcript:

Ella: I want to share with you a few things about this day. Last year, we started discussing this idea among ourselves. Then, one person named Penny Browning, from San Jose, contacted our government officials and tried to reserve this spot here at the capital for this event. She went round and round and came back to discuss more with us in our group. Then, David Reynolds, the guy in the blue shirt there, and Kevin Clark got together more to try to figure our how we could do this. We decided to set th is up for the following year.

Then, Kevin Clark went back to the CAD board members and proposed that CAD host this event, the International Day of Sign Languages here in Sacramento because he had reserved this space and wanted to move ahead with this dream. And, the CAD board, which of course is a wonderful board, passed this motion with a big YES! Then they found Sheri Farinha to act as the event Chairperson, and with NorCal here, and a lot of hard work and planning, things began to emerge. Now, we are here at last! A big round of THANKS to everyone out there who took part in making this event on this day happen! Thank you! Thank you Sheri! (Cheering)

Now, I am also here as one of the core members of the Deaf Bilingual Coalition (DBC). I’m very inspired to have these DBC core members here with us today, however, two are missing. John Egbert and Tami Hossler. John is the oldest member our of this core group, but I am second. So I guess this passes on to me today. I welcome these younger members today who have the energy and charisma to inspire you. (Actually, I’m wrong. I think David Reynolds and I are about the same age. Ha ha. Ah, you’re still younger than me.) Ok, anyway…

How many of you went to the Milwaukie rally? A few of you… How many of you went to Milpitas? Several or you… some… Great!

Now, I want to introduce David Eberwein who works as the High School Principal at the Deaf school in Fremont.

David E.: Hello! Whoo! This is an exciting celebration! The DBC, Deaf Bilingual Coalition was founded one year ago. Let me share a few things. First, why was DBC founded? You know that today, the popularity of teaching hearing babies to sign is spreading. Right? Pretty cool! The hearing babies are signing. They are being taught signs like milk, mother, etc., and they are happy babies, right? It’s do cute to watch their language develop, so we support this, right? You support this, don’t you? Is so, wave your hands. It’s good for them to sign.

Yet, all over America, are Deaf babies being taught to sign? NO! What?! Huh?! In fact, 70% of all Deaf babies in America are living with families who do not sign. (Scratches head) Hmmm?

In schools all over America, 80% do not teach Deaf children using ASL. So, because this is so puzzling, the DBC questions, “Is this right?” It’s confusing and does not make sense. If ASL is good for hearing babies, it should therefore be good for Deaf babies, RIGHT?! What’s this about?!

So the DBC put our heads together and set up to goals. We will push the use of ASL for ALL babies, Deaf and hearing alike. All babies should be exposed to signs from birth. Push means that we urge parents and teachers everywhere to sign for babies! This is so important.

Secondly, the DBC is against false statements and lies about ASL. You know, there are people who still say, “You can’t use ASL with Deaf babies because it will prevent them from developing good English.” I ask you, is this true?! Noooooo! ASL actually helps with the development of English!

Kristin: The community vibes, cultural vibes, the language vibes…. whoo! That makes us a proud people. It’s what makes us stand here today and represent what we cherish!

David R.: Will you all follow and copy me in this chant? Ready?

“Let ALL Children Sign!”
“Let ALL Children Sign!”
“Let ALL Children Sign!”
“Let ALL Children Sign!”

(Hands waving) Yeah! ILY!

Ella: Me say something? You want me to say something? I already said plenty! Ha. Well, it’s been a nice day. Wow. Just perfect. There are more people here than we expected. It has just swelled. Different people from different locations and a variety of presenters – whoo! It’s been a job well done! The committee was super! (Hand waves)

Posted by LaRonda on Saturday, October 11th, 2008 at 6:53 pm.