I feel the need to rant and vent as I get SO TIRED of PATERNALISM toward the DEAF COMMUNITY!!!!
It's a LONG story and I'm feeling VERY PISSED OFF at a hearing person who is trying to force HIS decisions on the Deaf Community with the attitude that he knows it all and that the Deaf Community should do things HIS way!!!
He and I have argued regarding just about EVERYTHING! He doesn't know the Sign Language system that is used here. What little he's taught himself was from a website on Gestuno, which is a system that is NOT used among the Deaf Community where I live. He has tried to insist that the Deaf Community, in this area, needs to learn HIS system because he knows what is best for them! I tried to explain that the Deaf Community does NOT tolerate paternalism from any hearing individual. I don't think he paid attention to the news when the Deaf President Now protest was occurring in 1988. I was down there in the middle of that protest and supported the four demands of the students! In other words, the old slogan, "We've come a long way, baby!" would apply to the Deaf Community today!
His response to assertive explanations has been to unilaterally decide to cancel EVERYTHING if we don't do things HIS way! I want to bitch-slap him right now!!!!
DAMN!! DAMN!!! DAMN!!!!!
Not surprised you're having trouble sleeping with this going on, who is they guy? Is he providing something to the group that you all need? I've had similar things with my son's autism over the years, people who just won't listen to those who live with the condition and deal with it every day - very annoying! Hope you got some sleep eventually xxx
Thanks, (((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Tupp))))))))))))))))))))))))))).
He's the coordinator for the town he lives in and was assisting in setting up a training session that would involve members of the Deaf community who reside in the area. You're right, Tupp, it is VERY ANNOYING! The planning sessions were going swimmingly until my Deaf friend, who is a member of the planning committee, requested a Certified Interpreter when the coordinator wanted to set up a formal meeting with other Emergency Responders to give a preliminary overview of the objectives, etc. of what we are trying to accomplish. The coordinator sends me a private e-mail ANNOUNCING that I would be the one VOLUNTEERING to interpret at this formal meeting...ignoring the fact that I was supposed to be one of the PRESENTERS! I wrote back that (1) I am no longer a certified interpreter, that I have more or less retired from that due to age-related issues, (2) if I could interpret, that would PREVENT ME FROM BEING A PARTICIPATE AND PRESENTER because I would have to have my sole focus on interpreting....I CANNOT do both! When I responded with my e-mail, I sent a "cc:" to my Deaf friend and she attempted to explain her needs from the perspective of a Deaf person who has been Deaf all her life and why these needs are important.
The coordinator reacted with anger, referred to the Deaf Community as a whole as "SELFISH", (that rang some familiar bells), and canceled everything because we REFUSED to do it HIS way and that the Deaf Community was being "ungrateful" about HIS efforts! (As I'm reading his response to me, I couldn't help but think to myself......'this sounds SO N!') I tried to point out that there is a long history within the Deaf Community that is MUCH BIGGER than he and I. He just wasn't going to hear me and he still continues to think that the Deaf Community should accept whatever HE decides FOR them! (This is the very same attitude that the students at Gallaudet protested against when the Deaf President Now Protest occurred in 1988.) Bottom line, he wants to deny me and the Deaf Community a VOICE! He wants us to remain VOICELESS! NOT GONNA HAPPEN!
Tupp, again, you are right. This is what has impacted my ability to sleep. On top of that, my new doctor has brought to my attention that I have developed pre-hypertension. (Looks like the family genetics is finally kicking in.) Now I have to find better ways to control my blood pressure so it does not get too high or fall too low. YUCK!!!
