All The Young Dudes

MEDIA WATCH: Lessons Of Silence

If I had a dollar, for every time a Hearing person makes the observation that Deaf culture is silent, I would have enough money to take a contract out on all hearing people, and restore peace and prosperity for Deaf people. In fact, I would have more than enough money to buy out the patent rights to the cochlear implant and immediately cease production of the said devices. Instead, we have to be content with being damned with faint praise in articles such as Lessons Of Silence.

“…As I immersed myself in their visual, intensely expressive language, I realized that through their “handicap,” deaf people had developed certain communication skills more thoroughly than most hearing people, which made them uncommonly effective at getting their point across…”

I must admit it does make for a nice change from being called evil, morally repugnant, et al, that pervades hearing discourse about some Deaf issues.

What amazes me, is the amount of knowledge about Deaf people and Deaf culture that a hearing person can glean from surfing a solitary website, Web Sourd a French site that offers online sign language translation services. Then again, I have been able to glean a similar amount of knowledge about hearing people by flushing the toilet and listening intently to the churn as the cistern refills!

Irony moments abound:

“….Thus a radical experiment was born: to work with deaf people as communication consultants for our corporate clients. The idea was not to teach our clients sign language — although some of our deaf trainers remain convinced that such training would resolve many problems — but to help them adopt communication skills from the deaf world that would make them better colleagues and managers…”

This is backhander if there ever was one. We, Deaf people have enough problems trying to live a decent life, with all the access to information and services that hearing people take for granted. When a hearing person comes up with the novel idea of mining Deaf communication skills to show hearing people how to improve theirs, that’s the sound of knuckles scraping the ground and not the eureka moment of two brain cells colliding.

As much as I am proud of my Deafness, Deaf culture and sign language, I hate the pedestal the writer of this article has put us on:

“…When they interact with one another, deaf people act in ways that let them communicate more rapidly and accurately than hearing people…”

As I said, I like irony moments, and this article has them in abundance, in the first two paragraphs of which the following killer line, has been obvious to Deaf and deaf people for quite some time:

“…Some of these behaviors are simple and obvious, but it’s remarkable how often hearing people do the opposite…”

All I can think of when I read this article, is how the hearing world continually denies us, then mines us!

Meanwhile, and I am thinking of setting up a training course teaching people how to lift your knuckles off the ground!

Further Reading:

What The deaf can teach us about listening… | Bruno Kahne

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Deaf Organisations, Deaf People & Information Sharing P2

Further to my previous post, Deaf Organisations, Deaf People & Information Sharing P1, there are too many conflicting issues for an organisation to provide services such as forums: professionalism, bi-partisanship, funding, and control!

To be an advocacy agent, and at the same time, moderate a forum full of rabble rousers, is definitely not a good look. If I were running a business or professional organisation, I would not even volunteer the pretence of promoting dialogue between the organisation and the community via forums such as RNID, Deaf Australia [AAD], or even the World Federation Of the Deaf have done. If not done well, it would be just inviting trouble and tarnish a professional image.

RNID found this out, and was forced into closing their forums, much to the chagrin of rabble rousers who had complained that their rights to post defamatory bile was being infringed upon. It’s something that the Tower Of Babble is well aware of. By and large, Tower Of Babble, runs without incident, and the moderation is very much hands off. Except when there is trouble in paradise, such as with the invasion of the intellectual boors and pretenders to MENSA, with the attendant flatulence, that the moderators are forced into action. And only when the anti-intellectual boors movement complains.

Though it must be said, what is the point of hosting a discussion forum, if the provider is not going to adhere to the spirit of open discussion and debate? Let alone, listen? Are the forums meant to serve as vent pits, where people could simply express their opinions and argue amongst themselves, thereby distracting them from more effective and productive avenues of action? Or are they badges of honour, made from Papier-mâché, that serve as an illustration of the lip service to open discussion and debate that organisations often display?

The salutatory lesson is that you can’t serve two masters.

Of course, as a Deaf person, I get frustrated when the organisations don’t listen [banks anyone], or when discussion and debate is hampered by heavy handed moderation, or when our views and opinions sent by email, disappear into cyberspace [or the Great Wall Of Silence], or when organisations use legal action, or the threat of, to close down debate.

The Great Wall Of Silence, while understandable in many situations, and one that may be a wise course of action at certain junctures, is in general, a protective veneer that does absolutely nothing for one’s professional image. It speaks of cowardice and a refusal to engage or live up to the professed rhetoric of open debate and honest discussion.

The Great Wall Of Silence was erected by an Australian Deaf organisation a few years back, that was the target of much criticism. This action led to Deaf Australia closing its forums the first time. Whether this Great Wall of Silence was justified or not, I cannot say, because the information was scant, and the organisation themselves did nothing [to my knowledge] to quell the strident criticisms. Nor did they release a statement defending their position or dispelling rumours.

In the interim, nothing was resolved. The issues re-emerged under a difference guise. This time it was satirical songs about CEO’s [Chief Executive Officers] and conferences abroad. Lord knows the RNID are everybody’s favourite butt in the UK. Incidentally, here’s their new logo:

I firmly believe that commentary, discussion and debate should be done on an independent platform. Independent to those provided by professional organisations. This would keep speech free, debate open and discussion more honest. In a word, fair dinkum!

Further Reading:

The Pursuit of Truth
Deaf Organisations, Deaf People & Information Sharing P1

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Deaf Organisations, Deaf People & Information Sharing P1

Free speech is the cornerstone of democracy and is what makes Australia what it is today. Why should this be any different for the Deaf and Hearing impaired? That’s the question The Rebuttal is asking in its latest posting, “The Pursuit of Truth‘.

A question that I agree with. Why should it be any different for us?

What prompted this post by The Rebuttal, and my post, is that the Australian Association of The Deaf [AAD], now called Deaf Australia, has removed its members forums for the second time. The first time the forums were closed, some members posted some rather incendiary remarks critiquing certain Australian Deaf Organistion. This exposed AAD to potential defamation action by the targetted Deaf Association.

After an interminable period of time, Deaf Australia [AAD] re-opened the forums, with some provisos. You know the usual no swearing, no this, no that, and respect other people’s views. After a slow start, ever mindful of getting on the wrong side of the moderators [and other respectable Deaf organisations] things got a bit more interesting.

As usual, some posters took it upon themselves to push the envelope, to which I unwittingly helped to do [that is, without thinking of the consequences, and seeking an opportunity to crack some jokes]. If you follow this blog, you will have notice some satirical songs [links below], some which were cross posted onto the Deaf Australia [AAD] forum in response to other posters setting the pace.

Among other things, Deaf Australia [AAD] has decided to close their forums to the public. It is now a member’s only forum. The Deaf Australia [AAD] President posted the following message to the forum:

Fellow Discussion Page Contributors…

It is with sincere regret that closing the discussion page to non-members has become inevitable.

The Board of Deaf Australia has time and again discussed at great length the issue of the Discussion Page and over time, we have refrained from taking drastic action such as this. While we acknowledge the value of contributors to the Discussion Page, members and non-members who provide simulating discussions on issues we hold close to us, at times boundaries are being tested and on several occasions, we have had to remove discussion threads because of potential slandering and defamation in which Deaf Australia does not wish to participate. Lately, there has been an increase of inappropriate messages and postings which has prompted us to re-assess the openness of our Discussion Page.

Discussion Page is now closed to non-members. Members may still use the members only pages.

Deaf Australia members are still able to contribute to the Discussion Page. We encourage members to be mindful of our disclaimer and to respect the views and feelings of other people who read the Discussion Page.

If you are not a member of Deaf Australia, it is a good time to join and be able to continue with your contributions. We offer you a new on-line membership registration - go to www.auslanshop.com.au and click on ‘membership’ and follow the prompt.

I have no truck with Deaf Australia [AAD], but it’s just as well that they closed its forums. I don’t think they should be in the game of hosting forums. For the simple fact that their advocacy work is going to conflict with the laissez-faire nature of forums, and the internet. The heated and pointed discussions is going to be at odds with the “diplomacy” of dealing with Deaf organisations and their constituents. Their are voices that will not be constrained.

The other aspect of Deaf Australia’s [AAD] decision, is that it raises the question of the relationship between Deaf/deaf people, Deaf/deaf organisations, technology, and information sharing. How both camps engage with technology to facilitate communication, and more pertinently, how they they share information.

I’m not convinced that Deaf/deaf organisations, both professional and amateur, are doing that credible a job of harnessing the power of the internet to communicate and share information. A good example, is my membership with Deaf Australia [AAD] which allows me automatic membership of the state branch, New South Wales Association Of The Deaf [NSWAD]. I get regular postings from the national body, Deaf Australia [AAD], but next to nowt from the state body, NSWAD.

I do understand that the resources are not always available. Too often the internet is used to bolster long standing hierarchal power structures. Harnessing email lists, public forums, member only forums, et al, as walled gardens to reign in the sharing of information, reinforcing the idea of exclusive clubs.

Of course, the internet, makes it easier for Deaf and deaf people to share information, independently of organisations. This gives Deaf and deaf people, a measure of control they previously lacked. However, engaging with organisations, is still as problematic as it ever was. Satirical and inflammatory postings not withstanding, credible postings were ignored by organisations.

The first time Deaf Australia [AAD] closed its forums, the organisation that was being criticised, did not respond publicly [to my knowledge] to the criticisms posted on the Deaf Australia [AAD] forums. When, the thread critiquing CEO’s in Deaf organisations was started, again, the same wall of silence. The closure of the forums, only has a dampening affect, and the criticisms will not go away. They will simply resurface elsewhere. This second closure, again, will not achieve anything, other than drive people away to other sites that will allow them freedom of expression.

Hence the establishment of The Rebuttal, and why I blog. This is a better option for Deaf and deaf people. It allows us a measure of independence and control.

Then again, maybe it’s the simple fact, that Deaf and deaf people are surpassing the organisations themselves, in harnessing the power of technology and the internet to communicate and share information.

Meditate on that mantra!

The Funny Pages:

SATIRE: 2 Songs - FUNDRAISING MACHINE & GIMME, GIMME, GIMME
SATIRE: Another Gentle Ribbing [It's Gentle. Honest!]
SATIRE: Don’t Cry For Me Deaf Society
SATIRE: A Gentle Ribbing [Seriously]
Celebrating Neurological Devastation Week
Deafening Silence [Ode To Neurological Devastation]
Royal National Institute of Hearing: Imagine a World Without Money
The Sickness of Deaf Awareness Week: Imagine A World Without Sound

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On Being Me: No Matter Where You Go, There You Are P3

I want to share a song that has had a great impact on me when I first heard it. I am working on trying to translate it for sign singing it.

It is called No Matter Where You Go, There You Are, by the Irish folk-rock singer-songwriter, Luka Bloom.

No Matter Where You Go, There You Are is a political song about a Muslim man who had to leave his country, to avoid being drafted into the army. It details his flight, wandering, homelessness and subsequent befriending of another homesick man.

Even though the song details a specific experience, about a specific person, there is plenty of detail, that it be can read as a metaphor of how one can never really run from themselves.

The kicker is its chorus:

You must go, follow your star
No matter where you go, there you are
No matter where you go, there are you
So don’t let go of what you know to be true

Listening:

Innocence

Further Reading:

On Being Me [But A Mask Is All You'll Ever See] P2
On Being Me [But A Mask Is All You'll Ever See]
What’s This Choice, That People Speak Of?
DEFINITION: Poison Person/ People
ASSASSINATING ALISON BRYAN - The Foaming Jaws Of The Poison People: The Prequel
ASSASSINATING ALISON BRYAN - The Foaming Jaws Of The Poison People: The Sequel To The Prequel.

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On Being Me [But A Mask Is All You'll Ever See] P2

My last post,On Being Me [But A Mask Is All You'll Ever See], invoked a long forgotten memory of mine.

I can’t remember the year, but it was the early 1980’s, and I had signed up to do the summer school, with the Australian Theatre of The Deaf. It was an enjoyable experience, and while it was one aspect of my foray into the arts, it really was one step along the road towards finding Deaf community.

One exercise stands out however. One that taught me alot about me, only that it wasn’t obvious at the time. It involved the use of masks.

A selection of different masks were provided. The exercise was to choose a mask that attracted us. We were to pick up the mask, look at it for a few moments, before putting it on. The idea was to allow the character of the mask into yourself, and you were to interact with the rest of the group as that character.

I didn’t last very long before I took off that mask. I felt I was being taken over, and my real self being suppresed. My instinct [as always] was to fight it. I wasn’t receptive at the time to any analysis of acting and how the actor is supposed to use that, not be consumed by that feeling.

Another exercise, that I wasn’t aware of its significance, but I found more enjoyable, was creating short, postcard style scenes - think stills -, which had to communicate a theme, action or situation. We were divided into teams of three. I ended up as the director/ creator. This exercise was far more satisfying than the masks.

Fast Forward to 1994, the UK, Leadership Training Parts 1 and 2, with Friends For The Young Deaf [FYD - now sadly defunct, swallowed up by the National Deaf Children's Society, much to everyone's relief, where it sank into obscurity]. One of the oft repeated comments was how I didn’t like authority.

It’s true. I still don’t. Especially positions of authority occupied by boors.

Further Reading:

On Being Me [But A Mask Is All You'll Ever See]
What’s This Choice, That People Speak Of?
DEFINITION: Poison Person/ People
ASSASSINATING ALISON BRYAN - The Foaming Jaws Of The Poison People: The Prequel
ASSASSINATING ALISON BRYAN - The Foaming Jaws Of The Poison People: The Sequel To The Prequel.

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