Reflection Essay #1
I am unsure if it was the intention of taking American Sign Language courses to change my worldview on particular subject matters, but here we are. I feel it is a good thing to learn new things, especially about the world around us. That isn’t to say that having opinions is a bad thing or anything like that, but just because an individual may have an opinion doesn’t make it right. While watching this film it may seem easy to pick a side when faced with the dilemma of what to do for Libby’s schooling. Perspective is heavily emphasized, showing us what it is like in the shoes of our Deaf protagonist instead of her hearing family. Her family all seems to be very accomplished and busy people who just simply don't have time for a deaf child because it doesn’t fit within their lifestyle. It would make sense to want to be able to communicate orally when it is the most effective way to do so in your family's current circumstance. However, from Libby herself, she has no real way to show how she is feeling to her family. They don't understand her in the way she wants to express herself, instead of forcing her to communicate in a way that makes no sense to Libby. It should be the parent's responsibility to effectively communicate and provide for their child.
I do think that sign language should be more enforced in schools, or at least offered as a second language earlier on in the schooling system. When children are young, that is the best time to introduce them to new languages because the brain is still developing and is more capable of becoming fluent in languages. Even if it is the most basic signs like "Hello, how are you?" "Where is the bathroom?" "My name is______" would still make a big difference when interacting with deaf peer/adults. Knowing that there is some chance of communicating does wonders for a person’s mental health and view of themselves. Knowing that what you are doing and acting on is actually making a difference in the world, that you aren’t just some outcast who doesn’t fit in anywhere is all it takes to completely change a person’s life
It would be easy to say that I would act differently if I was in this family’s shoes, that I would adamantly stand up for her and want to send her to a deaf school. The present me would agree 100%, but I can’t say the same for who I was before learning about ASL. I guarantee that I would have reacted the same way that Libby’s family did, wanting her to be in a mainstream school so she would fit in with everyone else. What has changed is the information that I have learned. My perspective has been permanently altered and I think that is what needs to happen to other hearing people, especially those with deaf relatives. If I was in this family's situation, I would take a step back to see what has worked and what hasn't considering Libby's communication learning. She doesn't speak verbally unless it is in distress or annoyance but does very good at responding to a physical stimulus like going to places and interacting with the environment, Form this, I would see that a more hands-on/tactile approach has been more effective as a way of communication. Placing more emphasis on what she seems to thrive on would be the best course of action to take to ensure that Libby gets the best chance at communication.
I do think that sign language should be more enforced in schools, or at least offered as a second language earlier on in the schooling system. When children are young, that is the best time to introduce them to new languages because the brain is still developing and is more capable of becoming fluent in languages. Even if it is the most basic signs like "Hello, how are you?" "Where is the bathroom?" "My name is______" would still make a big difference when interacting with deaf peer/adults. Knowing that there is some chance of communicating does wonders for a person’s mental health and view of themselves. Knowing that what you are doing and acting on is actually making a difference in the world, that you aren’t just some outcast who doesn’t fit in anywhere is all it takes to completely change a person’s life
It would be easy to say that I would act differently if I was in this family’s shoes, that I would adamantly stand up for her and want to send her to a deaf school. The present me would agree 100%, but I can’t say the same for who I was before learning about ASL. I guarantee that I would have reacted the same way that Libby’s family did, wanting her to be in a mainstream school so she would fit in with everyone else. What has changed is the information that I have learned. My perspective has been permanently altered and I think that is what needs to happen to other hearing people, especially those with deaf relatives. If I was in this family's situation, I would take a step back to see what has worked and what hasn't considering Libby's communication learning. She doesn't speak verbally unless it is in distress or annoyance but does very good at responding to a physical stimulus like going to places and interacting with the environment, Form this, I would see that a more hands-on/tactile approach has been more effective as a way of communication. Placing more emphasis on what she seems to thrive on would be the best course of action to take to ensure that Libby gets the best chance at communication.
Reflection Essay #2
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As I’ve said before, as I learn more information on the history and culture of the Deaf-World and ASL I have grown deeper respect and curiosity for it. It’s touching to see so many people coming together to support and maintain the community that they have created. Through diversity and hard times, the Deaf community has stuck it through. When adversity and mainstream prejudice comes along, the people are there to spit in its face and fight back. Watching the stories that several generations of signers and how each grouping has had similar, yet completely unique struggles really resonated with me.
Being alone, or otherwise feeling like you are, has such an effect on the way you perceive yourself. Typically, there are two ways you can come out of being isolated. One is you lose what self-confidence and esteem you’ve held for yourself, seeing it wash away like chalk off the pavement. The other is you gain so much self-respect and perseverance you could knock walls down with a simple glare and upturned nose. I would like to say that the latter is more often the case, but sadly it just isn’t. But that doesn’t mean you are stuck in this emotional turmoil forever. Reaching out to those who understand your struggles, your people, your culture, and feeling a sense of belonging is such a beautiful and overwhelming thing. I’m sure those students who first went to Gallaudet and saw they were not the only deaf person in the world felt an overwhelming sense of relief, maybe some anxiety as well.
In any setting, having a place you belong is integral to social and developmental skills. Personality, values, stories, even humor is shared and passed among peers and perhaps even generations. Knowing that you exist, and others have acknowledged you is comforting. It makes sense why there was such a panic when school began to be shut down and the community was moving away. Everyone needs a support system no matter how tough or how much of a “lone wolf” you are. Humans are, on a primal level, pack animals who rely upon and thrive off of one another. The sad thing is how much we’ve forgotten that as a race. Destroying a unique and beautiful thing culture because “it is costing us too much money” or “they can integrate into our mainstream” pisses off the anthropologist in me.
Being different is what makes us strong. For lack of a better example, look at dog breeding for a moment. Purebred dogs such as pugs or bulldogs suffer from body deformities because of their selective breeding, causing other aspects of their bodies to fall apart and suffer. On the flip side, you take a mixed mutt of a dog and will have one of the healthiest, and happiest breeds out there. Culture is like these dogs. Try to maintain the same system for too long (selective breeding) and eventually it will cause issues with other parts of the culture. If you add a different culture to the mix, not only will you get the best of both worlds (dogs, in this case) but you will then have an entirely new experience never seen before to learn from and thrive in.
Being alone, or otherwise feeling like you are, has such an effect on the way you perceive yourself. Typically, there are two ways you can come out of being isolated. One is you lose what self-confidence and esteem you’ve held for yourself, seeing it wash away like chalk off the pavement. The other is you gain so much self-respect and perseverance you could knock walls down with a simple glare and upturned nose. I would like to say that the latter is more often the case, but sadly it just isn’t. But that doesn’t mean you are stuck in this emotional turmoil forever. Reaching out to those who understand your struggles, your people, your culture, and feeling a sense of belonging is such a beautiful and overwhelming thing. I’m sure those students who first went to Gallaudet and saw they were not the only deaf person in the world felt an overwhelming sense of relief, maybe some anxiety as well.
In any setting, having a place you belong is integral to social and developmental skills. Personality, values, stories, even humor is shared and passed among peers and perhaps even generations. Knowing that you exist, and others have acknowledged you is comforting. It makes sense why there was such a panic when school began to be shut down and the community was moving away. Everyone needs a support system no matter how tough or how much of a “lone wolf” you are. Humans are, on a primal level, pack animals who rely upon and thrive off of one another. The sad thing is how much we’ve forgotten that as a race. Destroying a unique and beautiful thing culture because “it is costing us too much money” or “they can integrate into our mainstream” pisses off the anthropologist in me.
Being different is what makes us strong. For lack of a better example, look at dog breeding for a moment. Purebred dogs such as pugs or bulldogs suffer from body deformities because of their selective breeding, causing other aspects of their bodies to fall apart and suffer. On the flip side, you take a mixed mutt of a dog and will have one of the healthiest, and happiest breeds out there. Culture is like these dogs. Try to maintain the same system for too long (selective breeding) and eventually it will cause issues with other parts of the culture. If you add a different culture to the mix, not only will you get the best of both worlds (dogs, in this case) but you will then have an entirely new experience never seen before to learn from and thrive in.