Mon 17 Dec 2007
In response to the recent debates involving the concept of deficit thinking, I share my understanding of what deficit thinking is and that having rights means increased accountability…especially Deaf bloggers who exhibit deficit thinking in discussing Deaf issues using language that is NOT helping elevate Deafhood discussion.
Basically, my understanding of deficit thinking is that because it is believed that a group of people are missing something, in our situation, “hearing”, deficit thinkers produce NEGATIVE reactions, thinking, analysis and actions against that group …RATHER than having a productive and constructive dialogue on various levels exhibiting deep respect for ourselves and our creations, i.e natural Sign Languages (ASL for example)
IT’s time for bloggers (and yes vloggers too) to take accountability in how we use language to critically examine our Deaf lives and to explore ways to push for a STOP to deficit thinking, and to push for CRITICAL EXAMINATION of the AUDISTIC SYSTEM we need to devote our energies and creativities to topple.
December 17th, 2007 at 4:41 am
Lack of respect only breeds deficit thinking.
December 17th, 2007 at 5:35 am
Yes, 100% agree with you! I must tell you something how I feel between vlogs vs. blogs. I do not feel very comfortable with blogs that can lead critize or insult by language through misundersatnd what their thinking is than what our vlogs are very easy to explain. The vlogs are very easy to open and understand because it is reduce critize and misunderstanding. I still prefer VLOGS to be for me to feeling comfortable and understand in communicating and feeling each other by language than blogs. Blogs can be leading in different ways of different meaning of our language and thoughtful to cause us misunderstand and be hurting on kind of words!
I feel to tell you one more things and notice when a person write on blogs or letter, emails, whatsoever. There is always leading them to jump into comclusion without explaining or determine. i notice every individuals tend to do that on blogs than vlogs!
Many thanks for educating us through 2007!
December 17th, 2007 at 6:15 am
Thank you, Ella Mae
December 17th, 2007 at 6:20 am
Thank you! we need to fix our bridge now.
I am looking forward to better future especially my new Deaf films, entertainments etc.. life is short so not worth it to get upset, mad, worry. Be Happy ensure our lives longer.
hugs
Gary
December 17th, 2007 at 6:21 am
Ella- You looked so pretty. What did you do? Smile. I agree with you. I can see some bloggers continue to feel threatened by Deaf people who are fighting to keep our ASL and culture alive. Interesting. I can see they are not willing to open their mind and understand the message you have been trying to share to the Deaf community. When I see some bloggers who do not support ASL and culture are ones who give parents, individuals and readers mixed messages about us. I always have concern about this for a long time. We need to stop this. I really mean it. I completely understand John Egbert’s concern because I can’t see how Christians and Satanists can share ideas and opinions in the same blogsite. There is no way they can do this. It is healthy to disagree but not to where we disagree ASL and our culture. When I see some who do not respect ASL and our culture are very dangerous people because it makes our group look like we are nothing and we have nothing to offer to the community. That is bad and AGB loves this. This can cause serious division among us. We were in Diaspora for a very long time and it is time for us to unify and stand up and be respected once again. Good for you, Ella!
December 17th, 2007 at 6:29 am
You make many good points. The negative comments and insults that I have read lately on the blogs/vlogs have made me incredibly sad. I do hope that there will be a change of attitude and simple respect when it comes to differing viewpoints.
December 17th, 2007 at 6:32 am
Good discussion. Yes, I agree that negativity against us as whole based on generalizations is getting old and tiresome!
I have become concerned, especially last few months and I have tried to make some dialogues with them, trying to hear them out and offering my perspective. What did they do? They insulted me and twisted around with what I tried to say which just made things worse. I did try to clarify those points, but they just twisted them even more. Finally, I realize that it’s pointless. They did just the same thing to other commenters who said in disagreement with them.
Now, they cannot say that we are excluding them because many of us DID try to come halfway in peace but only to be attacked!
Anyway, back to the point that I have become concerned because, of course the majority of world wide web viewers/readers are hearing and when they read those worthless pieces of work based on fallacies, they WOULD BELIEVE. That’s a dangerous game they are playing.
I don’t have problems with “agreeing to disagree” as long as the discussions are constructive. What they are offering are not very constructive, and are intentionally causing harms on our community and our progress for betterments.
Yes, I completely agree: the right to express thoughts comes with responsibilities.
As always, thank you!
December 17th, 2007 at 6:37 am
YOU SAID IT, ELLA!!! Another powerful and clear vlog from you, dear comrade!
I liked how you pointed our RESPONSIBILITY in addition to RIGHTS. It tears my heart to see some of the bloggers outright attack John Egbert- they do not know John or his intentions. I know John wants the Deaf community to move forward and I admire him like I do you.
Another characteristic of deficit thinking (as discussed in Ladd’s book), is… an obsession with details rather than the Big Picture. For example, the idea of “residual hearing” and amplification as being the most important component(s) of the “hearing impaired” child’s academic day— rather than how s/he is doing academically, language-wise, etc.
That deficit thinking spills over to the Deaf community, influencing us to tear each other down over minor details rather than the Big Picture or big ideas & goals. For example, arguing about what our “approach” was, what was said, how people are reacting, etc. instead of sifting through the emotions and look at the logic and big ideas behind proposals.
Attributing John’s attempt to elevate our discourse to “censorship”, while quoting philosophers to appear smart (as if Deaf people cannot offer anything of intellectual value), and attacking his ideas without even processing or discussing with John in ASL is another example of how deficit thinking has affected our community.
We all should get away from our keyboards and head for the VP or meet in person and address the destructive deficit thinking & discourse that is causing the rift between us. It is NOT our backgrounds, who we hang with, who our parents are, or how well we sign. It’s our attitude (influenced or not by deficit thinking) that either unites or divides us.
Love you, Ella!
DE
December 17th, 2007 at 6:51 am
Hi Ellie Mae,
Thank you for your crystal explanation.
Yes I have seen that kind of situations mostly in blogs. Their attitudes are negative and degrading so many people who are working very hard to promote their values.
The freedom of speech SHOULD NOT BE ABUSED. People claim they can speak whatever they want (even destroying or hurting others in their own pleasure) without any accountability are not good citizens PERIOD! They are destructive and dangerous people.
Freedom of speech is a gift to people as long as we take a good care of it. If we abuse it, we will lose it in the future. For example if we take a good care of a house, it will live for a long long time. If we abuse it, it will not live much.
In Canada, we have Freedom of Speech but we must be accountability to it. We use it reasonable without any harmful to others.
I know it is not easy but we must work together to protect ourselves from those horrendous deficit thinkers and their own selfish interests.
Deafchip
December 17th, 2007 at 6:53 am
SO glad you’re BAAACK!
Happy Holidays!!
Yes, I totally agree with you on deficit thinking. Accountiblity is the reason that we are concerned how we say out there.
You see, deficit thinking equals to a rotting apple in the bushel of apples. They say that once a rotting apple in a bushel of apples, the apples get rotted!
Thank you so much for sharing this with us!
deafk
December 17th, 2007 at 6:58 am
Ella, thank you for taking time to explain what the work “deficit thinkers” means. Appriecated so much. We need to stop that.
December 17th, 2007 at 7:37 am
Deficit thinking imposed on the Deaf community is hurtful. Yes.
Labeling my friends as dysconscious audists are hurtful too.
Am I deficit thinker by giving my son all the options available? My son is Deaf and has a cochlear implant. He is mainstreamed.
He signs ASL to us and my parents. He speaks to his hearing peers. Will you the Deaf community where I was born form label my dear boy a deficit thinker and a dyscnscious audist when he grows up?
We the Deaf community are equally as guilty for labeling those Deaf/deaf for being hearing minded. That divides the Deaf/deaf (let me use the big d and small d, please) community.
We NEED further discourse to bring our people and our variations up to the next level with respect and acceptance. No more I want to see our fellow Deaf vlog about how awful cochlear implants are. My boy has one. I am going to protect him tooth and nail from my OWN people until they quit that paranoia.
Labels are damaging!
Anna S
December 17th, 2007 at 7:38 am
Ella, thank you for sharing with us. I agree with you 100000%. We need to edify (build up) each other to have a strong and good Deaf community.
December 17th, 2007 at 7:52 am
Writing can lead to misinterpret very easily the way the writers express in their own terms which can be a real deficit thinking instead of opening the discussion of anything can benefit to many of us! I agree with Ella’s comments. Freedom often allows us to do what we want but we must take our responsbility to control our action also include how to express in writing in that blogs cautiously!
December 17th, 2007 at 8:52 am
Ella, I applaud you for doing this clip on Deficit Thinking among the Deaf community. It is a sad thing that it exists in our community. I am with you on generating an open-mindedness and appreciation of differences in our people. Those that have a healthy and mature perspective of what having a good discussion (as you would say) are teachable and those that aren’t, sad to say, are not.
I’m a blogger. I am not yet a vlogger because I have not set up my camera to be hooked up to the TV or computer. I would love to make video clippings and join in the forum, but until then, I’ll just have to blog. It’s hard for those bloggers who have no access to vlogs and the only way they can express themselves is through blogging and sometimes their choices of wordings can be misconstrued or misleading when they really meant to say something else. There are some that truly mean exactly what they say and that’s not good.
Good job, Ella.
December 17th, 2007 at 8:59 am
Amen
peace
pdurr
December 17th, 2007 at 9:00 am
I really like this vlog, Ella. You made some good points and I agree. Those of us who write blogs need to be careful of our written words. (Thank goodness for that backspace key! *wink*) But very true, once a deficit thinker has published their thoughts/opinions about other deaf people in a negative way, someone will Google it and will assume that this negative way of thinking applies to ALL deaf people. *grumble*
On another note, the term “hearing loss” is indeed negative. I recall going to the audiologist’s with my Mom when I was in highschool to get a new mold for my hearing aid. The audiologist kept saying “hearing loss, hearing loss, hearing loss.” She never said “deaf” or “hard of hearing”. (This was before I experienced Gallaudet and so I called myself hard of hearing… I had asked the audiologist to call me hard of hearing instead of hearing loss…)
She continued to say hearing loss, being completely DEAF to my request to call me hard of hearing. (How ironic, eh?) Argh. So while I was waiting for the gunk in my ear to be settled into a mold, I caught the audiologist saying “hearing loss” again via lip reading. I was really annoyed but not in the “Hey! I have Deaf rights, you know!” because I didn’t know I had Deaf rights at all.
I spoke up, probably a little too loud since the gunk in my ear made me completely deaf and unable to hear the slightest sound, even the sound of my own voice and said,
“Why do you call it a hearing loss? I was born this way, therefore I never had it to begin with so I’ve never “lost” it. I’m certainly not going to go looking for it, either, because I don’t know how you can
sleep at night, with people flushing the toilet at midnight, traffic roaring by at 2AM and then there’s the snoring going on next door 6 inches away from you… I’m glad to be hard of hearing where I can’t hear anything at night without my hearing aid!”
Well, needless to say the audiologist went very quiet and my Mom was trying not to giggle. Of course, the term “hearing loss” never came up again but neither was I respected and called hard of hearing, either. Hmmm.
If I could go back to that audiologist’s office and make some changes, it would be that I would go in as a Deaf person, not hard of hearing and be more insistent on educating that audiologist.
The deficit thinking needs to end within ourselves first. We all need to learn and understand what deficit thinking is and I thank you for explaining it clearly for everyone. It is much appreciated.
December 17th, 2007 at 9:10 am
Thankyou Ellen..
There is a difference between discussion and debate..
I prefer discussions with open minded ones than see a debate with short answers. Lots of debate were often so rude as turn off other’s thinking or feeling.
You spoke very well.. hope others understood you too.
December 17th, 2007 at 9:12 am
Carrie,
“The deficit thinking needs to end within ourselves first. We all need to learn and understand what deficit thinking is …”
AMEN!!! AMEN!!!! It took me nearly two years before I understood what “deficit thinking” means, and I’m still in the process of removing it from my system!!! I’m still learning!!!
DE
December 17th, 2007 at 9:22 am
Well signed!
Candace
December 17th, 2007 at 9:24 am
Hi Ella,
I still need more clarification on your theory of “deficit thinking”. Can you further explain what deficit thinkers are to you? And what you consider to be constructive criticism?
I had noticed you had been discussing this on blogs since last year, especially when there were controversial issues about CI, so I had figured out that it was you who had initiated this definition of deficit thinkers.
That said, I’d like for you to answer the following questions asked by Deaf Pundit:
Just who, exactly, are the “deficit” thinkers? A Deaf person who has a hearing spouse? A Deaf person who learned ASL at a late age? A Deaf person who wears a Cochlear Implant? A Deaf person who has the nerve to disagree with you about Deafhood and what it means? A Deaf person who disagrees with your groupthink?
December 17th, 2007 at 9:27 am
BIG THANK YOU HUGS, Ella! I wish you are my mom so I can learn so many things closely from you! Of course we are still ALIVE to learn from others feedbacks with their own experiences of life backgrounds! Of course, I wish DE is my dad, too! LOL
Happy Holidays, Ella and DE!
December 17th, 2007 at 9:39 am
Glad my vlog gave some sense of clarification and hope it encourages people to continue to dialogue without any deficit talking about Deaf issues.
Anna S and IAmMine, I will email you both to see if we can talk over the videophone in hopes we can discuss your concerns and share my thoughts…Im only doing this because I feel your pain and struggle…and I also feel the COMMUNITYs pain and struggle for the past 127 years. I think the best thing is to dialogue about this and hopefully a true sense of unity shall emerge.
Questions arised by Anna S and IAmMine are valid and we need to discuss from the perspective of the BIGGER PICTURE and ACCOUNTABILITY to the community and our future Deaf children, not limit ourselves to arguing over one individual’s opinions or even experience.
To be continued….
December 17th, 2007 at 9:43 am
John’s signboard:
I would like to select key quotes that truly addresses the concern over deficit thinking that misses the big picture completely:
Ella’s quote:
“IT’s time for bloggers (and yes vloggers too) to take accountability in how we use language to critically examine our Deaf lives and to explore ways to push for a STOP to deficit thinking, and to push for CRITICAL EXAMINATION of the AUDISTIC SYSTEM we need to devote our energies and creativities to topple.”
My response:
Accountability yes! Audism seeps into our blogs and vlogs with deficit thinking, because in their minds they are always right. We’re looking at the big picture, exploring and studying Deafhood, while deficit thinkers nitpick at the small details like a woodpecker with a stubborn neck that refuses to stop. We are the very focus of the whole world that are watching us. It’s not a tiny platform, but DeafRead is read and watched worldwide. We are willing to be open-minded, to explore and learn, go upwards. Are deficit thinkers opened minded? That is a question the deficit thinkers need to ask themselves.
DE’s quote:
“That deficit thinking spills over to the Deaf community, influencing us to tear each other down over minor details rather than the Big Picture or big ideas and goals.”
My response:
Unfortunately it’s true that deficit thinking spills over to the Deaf community and the fact it can influence us to tear each other down (over minor details) instead of building each other up into the bigger picture at hand.
DE’s quote:
“It is NOT our backgrounds, who we hang with, who our parents are, or how well we sign. It’s our attitude (influenced or not by deficit thinking) that either unites or divides us.”
My response:
That quote says it all and is the bonding part that unites us, our attitude. We can choose to be influenced by deficit thinking or choose not to be influenced. Our attitude will determine whether it unites or divides us. People of different backgrounds but the same thinking can climb into one boat, as long we unite, build each other up, and avoid deficit thinkers, the boat won’t sink.
Let’s close with Jaymie’s quote:
“I am with you (Ella) on generating an open-mindedness and appreciation of differences in our people. Those that have a healthy and mature perspective of what having a good discussion (as you would say) are teachable and those that aren’t, sad to say, are not.”
John’s response:
Deficit thinkers, are you teachable? Or you have already decided in your mind without exploring? Are you ready to take accountability for what is being said?
We represent the Deaf community and it is a huge responsibility. What we say filters back into the Deaf community and even the Deaf youth too. The Deaf youth are not blind to what goes on in this world, there are young Deaf people reading blogs and watching vlogs, and reading comments. Our children!
And Ella is right, people will google us and find disparaging remarks that reeks of deficit thinking, and wonder. ASL students (of all ages), Deaf Studies majors, Deaf Education majors, mental health administrators, Deaf community leaders, Deaf elementary, middle and high schoolers (as they find their way into controversies), and other professionals, even the state people who run the Deaf schools. We are on a microscope.
Deficit thinkers are like a people who run into a stadium of 140,000 people with stadium lights turned off. Everybody is quiet, and when the stadium lights are turned on with 140,000 people jeering at them, it’s like “Whoa! What did we just say?”
December 17th, 2007 at 9:44 am
Thank you Ella–it was a pleasure seeing you, DE, and Genie Gertz in Seattle a few weeks ago and getting all caught in the snowstorm but it was worth the drive from Oregon.
Deficit thinking–there’s plenty of that everywhere. For me, it’s synonymous with the Crab Theory.
Whilst many of us have experienced the oppression and abuse, the lot of us is uneducated on the inner workings of our psyche–namely how our spirits handle the pains of oppression and audism.
When Deaf individuals experience an instance of oppression, it’s too easy to get mad & angry and we want our oppressors to know that. I see many Deaf folks reacting harshly, in anger and rage. Further, having experienced oppression and audism for many YEARS builds up a simmering pot of boiling anger deep within the wells of our spirit and it doesn’t take much to spark a nuclear explosion. Why does this happen? That’s because we can only suppress our feelings for so long. Our spirits and bodies together is like a bottle. You can put things in it, but they have to come out the way they came in. The bottle can only hold so much until it breaks or forces the content back out, to regurgitate.
All in all, the mentality that forms is, “I’m right, they’re wrong!” And with that in mind, we set out to right the wrongs. Often, we don’t think of forgiveness. Perhaps then, we don’t realize that we as well are wrong–we are wrong in how we react.
My mission, as it is slowly becoming crystallized, is to help others learn how to react the right way, the constructive way so that both parties can walk away having felt like they learned something. Rather than being hurt and burned by someone who exploded like a nuclear bomb. How we react, is instrumental to how the nature of our relationship with the “Hearing” world will exist.
If we hurt the “hearing” folks back, we will always be divided. If we forgive and educate, we come closer together.
I don’t mean to post a long one on your blog but I’m sure folks will take a look at this and chew on it, and think about how to redirect their energy into something positive for all of us.
Mahalo nui loa (thank you very much),
BF
December 17th, 2007 at 9:46 am
An Audiologist had to comment publicly about “Historically with hearing losses the ears kept sound from getting in the brain to develop critical auditory centers.”
I had experienced and wore hearing aids as a child. Both ears were 20 db with hearing aids. Sometimes I happened receive headaches and with my eyes and caused me lots of distractions, such as peripheral visual distraction where as hearing person just consider noise distraction.
My mother and I never discussed an audiologist together as I had nothing right to tell the audiologist as a child in Michigan. Who made the decision?
I am very lucky that in Florida, an audiologist said “You are DEAF but you are able to hear a little.” I was very joyful that I am in fact Deaf because some Deaf thought I was hard of hearing.
December 17th, 2007 at 10:02 am
IamMine,
Hi good to “see” you again. You commented, “That said, I’d like for you to answer the following questions asked by Deaf Pundit: Just who, exactly, are the “deficit” thinkers? A Deaf person who has a hearing spouse? A Deaf person who learned ASL at a late age? A Deaf person who wears a Cochlear Implant? A Deaf person who has the nerve to disagree with you about Deafhood and what it means? A Deaf person who disagrees with your groupthink?”
My response: I think the above question is not the right nor appropriate one to ask. That question is all about WHO, WHO, WHO, WHO. Like I said earlier in this section, it isn’t WHO we hang around with, WHO our parents, or even WHO we are.
It is the WHAT- our attitude that unites or divides us. The WHAT, deficit thinking, is WHAT divides us.
I’d like to see discussion pertaining to the topic of deficit thinking shift to WHAT it is all about, WHAT typical behaviors & comments are, WHAT we can do to combat deficit thinking, etc. Zeroing on WHO is tantamount to deficit thinking itself.
Hope I’m clear?
December 17th, 2007 at 10:20 am
I’d like to share what my father said about this topic:
*******************
“Good Morning, Deficit Thinker. There is a universal need among humans to conceptualize life as “Us, vs. Them”. Since it is universal, I know I have been guilty of such behavior. And the best way to distinguish the good guys , “Us” from the bad guys, “Them” is to use an emotionally laden word or name. It simplifies complex issues. Name calling just feels so good, makes us feel so superior to the “Them”. Actually, deficit thinker, is one of the least offensive names I have ever seen. It is human nature to keep the rebel, the free thinker, the outsider, the nonconformist out of the “Us” group so not to contaminate the “Us” with dangerous thoughts. You see it in every walk of life. Must say I found Ella Mae Lentz’s comments clear and concise. As you said, it would be healthy for both sides to agree not to agree. I am sure the name calling helps to keep your blood pressure perking. Have fun. Love, Dad”
December 17th, 2007 at 10:26 am
I learned new something about “deficit” thinking, it is very interesting. I like to know more about that. Thank you for educate us about that.
December 17th, 2007 at 10:28 am
We need a new identity to classified who we are.
December 17th, 2007 at 10:50 am
Ella,
I have to credit Joey Baer for leading me to your website/vlog. Indeed, I learned a few things from you. I’m one of these people who continues to struggle with these “deficit thinkers” on various issues, specifically the advocate issues.
You just earned a new subscriber to your vlogs.
I look forward to fruitful discussions with you in near future.
-Sean
December 17th, 2007 at 10:55 am
Handwaves. When sheep sees a pole, it thinks it sees a fence. There is no reasoning with it unless you drag it to the other side where the grass is greener. Otherwise, just leave it alone to its own bleatin’ miserable demise. I’ll go where the grass is thriving and green.
December 17th, 2007 at 10:58 am
Aslpride,
I don’t think we need a new identity. *smile* I’ve already embraced Deafhood and I think that’s perfect for *me*.
DE, excellent answer! It’s not the WHO, it’s the WHAT. I believe we are allll deficit thinkers, myself included. Now before we all faint in shock or strike out in anger/defense, let me explain from my experiences.
Growing up, I had NO identity as a deaf/Deaf person. The only identity I had was “I-wear-a-hearing-aid-so-I-can-hear-you-better. I-am-sorry-I-did-not-hear-you-can-you-please-repeat-that?”
*groan* I grew up with this, always apologizing for not being able to hear and trying my best to lipread and follow along with all the mumbo jumbo and try to make sense of it all. I was told it was not good to be deaf so I never labeled myself as deaf. I wanted to be “normal” so I didn’t think I could learn ASL or any sign language because it wasn’t “normal”.
Then I went to Gallaudet and had the greatest epiphany about deaf people and being deaf myself. It took me a while and I was quite a deficit thinker. I still am, at times. “I can’t because… Oh shoot! Stop the negative thinking… think positive! I can! I will!”
It’s hard but when it rains all you can see are the gloomy clouds in the sky. If you look beyond the clouds in your mind, you will know the sun is ALWAYS shining, even behind the clouds!
Think POSITIVE, not NEGATIVE.
December 17th, 2007 at 11:03 am
THANK YOU FOR EMPHAZING ON THE DEFICIT THINKING! I completly agree with you on this subject because we are accountablilty with our actions in both deaf and hearing worlds. Positive approach with open dialogue would lead much better enivornment and help the hearing world to understand our deaf rights or deaf culture.
I am just new at my own vlogging. Been too busy but will start new vlog in the year 2008 with several subjects with positive thinking and be open to anyone to discuss and solve it to help the deaf community better in the long run.
You did really opened our eyes and made us to think twice before saying anything. High Five.
December 17th, 2007 at 11:09 am
Another thing, Ella.. Or DE for the matter..
Could you clarify for us all what is meant by “Critical Examination of the Audistic System”? I’m not sure if more than half of us clearly understand what that means. Perhaps with your clarification we can understand better how to pick apart the inner workings of Audism and show us the path where we can better direct our energies.
BF
December 17th, 2007 at 11:40 am
Hi Ella!
I would like to express my deep gratification to you for your clear explanation! I hope it can make a big difference for our community!
Traci
December 17th, 2007 at 11:51 am
Hello Ella
CLICK HERE
December 17th, 2007 at 12:11 pm
deficit thinkers are just about anyone who views someone else or group who is less than perfect or lacks something. Easy sample would be school staff treats kids from single parent homes in a negative way than kids from home that has a two parent. Or, say, kids from certain class (poor) vs (middle). That is a very very common deficit thinking going on these days. So, if we are to apply it to deaf, you get the picture. Even deaf who view hoh in negative way can be deficit thinkers!
The only way to avoid being deficit thinkers is to treat everyone with respect regarless of who, what, where, etc…they are or they came from. Just because someone is lacking one thing that makes them different from you does not mean that person is beneath you!
That is my perspective on deficit thinking.
If you google deficit thinking in education, religion, etc. you will see many examples.
Staying positive, believe that anyone can be anything they want to be, respecting other’s views, can go a long way. Yet, we are all human and have inner issues. We need to also keep that in mind and not let deficit thinkers get to us.
December 17th, 2007 at 1:48 pm
Hi Ella,
I appreciate that you took the time to blog your vlog for me. Since I am late-deafened I don’t understand ASL well enough to get it when people vlog. When I blog I try hard to use simpler language and more pictures because I understand many Deaf use English as a second language.
I hope we all may continue to talk peacefully, so that we will reach an understanding on this Deafhood issue. It sounds like many Deaf feel hurt by some of the comments made by Mike and Paotie and others in the past several weeks. I can assure you many deaf have been hurt by Deaf as well in the past.
We must realize not ALL Deaf dislike deaf, and not ALL deaf feel superior to Deaf. We need to learn to get along. This is a good and much needed dialogue.
December 17th, 2007 at 1:54 pm
Having done the exegsis on all blogs and comments in regard to “Deficit Thinking”, I have come into a conclusion that those who have thrown stones at John Egbert have misunderstood the essence of John’s message.
More often than not have I read that hearing
people admit that they have misspoken — or miswritten, for that matter. Unquestionably,
those who have castigated John must have misused maybe more words in their lifetimes.
Is criticising John the way to purify themselves? Only Jova knows.
Albeit making himself clear every now and then that he is the paragon of AGB, those who criticise him actually hide their heads in the sand. Nowhere has John condemned CI, oralism, Cued. Very matter-of-factly, he still exercises the speech. Stay with me.
What John objects to in all of his blogs is AGB’s comdemnation of the use of sign language.
Is this objection reasonable? Verily! Look at ADL (Anti-Defamation League) and NAACP. An objection would raise should anyone ever make a racist slur against the Jewish people and the black people. They righteously do so. What happened when Mel Gibson expressed his negative thoughts regarding Jewish people? ADL objected! What happened when Don Imus did the same thing insulting the black cheerleaders. NAACP objected.
Why do some people forbid culturally Deaf people to object when hearies discourage sign language?
John is deaf. He was forced to learn a second language without learning his NATURAL sign language which is verily his birthright.
Not for a nanasecond do I believe that John really means when he said to censor. Back to square one, hearing people are sometimes stuck or search for a right word or are at a total loss with words and eventually use a wrong word. Even foreigners who can read and write in English are still stuck with a right word in a second language and would ask me, “How do you say it?” When consulted,
they would begin to realise that they did not mean what they initially said. Train go sorry? Forever? Ostracising John forever? Non! Non! Deaf people would be apt to ask if a blogger would care to clarify or elaborate and would, thereafter, quickly and readily understand deaf people who are stuck with words in a second language. What John really meant in his blog (12/16/07) was that he wants AGB to fully accept sign language as the birthright of deaf people.
In the closing, it is quite taxing to see
some people accuse culturally Deaf people
as “deaf fanatics.” Au contraïre, they are
not. They merely treasure, value, and defend
Deaf culture and ASL. Are the French unreasonable for objecting when American-
English businessmen attempt to colonise or
bastardise the French language by advertizing “Le Car” instead of “La voiture”? Certainly not. Therefore, the
French Minister of Culture righteously
defended the French language by fining an
American businssman. The same can be said
about deaf people.
December 17th, 2007 at 2:00 pm
Thanks for the great vlog and clarification of deficit thinkers, Ella!
December 17th, 2007 at 2:01 pm
Hi DE!
Thanks for replying and I apologize for the delay – I read your comment in response to my comment, then after doing my errands I laid down to try figure what you meant, but I fell asleep!
I told Ella I could not VP ‘cause it has not been working for MONTHS and also thought it would benefit others who needed clarification on the definition of “deficit thinkers”.
I thank you for replying, but I am still not clear.
You said it’s the WHAT that unities or divides us, and that those people with the WHAT thinking that divides us, are the ones who are deficit thinkers.
I am still unclear on the definition of deficit thinkers based on that.
Can you explain what is your “WHAT”?
December 17th, 2007 at 2:19 pm
Perfecto! What a graceful and logical presentation about us taking a hard look at ourselves, especially vloggers and bloggers!
How true about many deaf people intentionally take cheap shots at someone else to inflate hir own standings (to make others look bad at their own expense, etc.)
Making assumption/misassumption is a real enemy of our own humanity without finding out first or understand what is really going on.
I did listen to many deaf individuals coming to me about my blogs. Many deaf grassroot individuals expressed their frustration about me using big words beyond high school level. I agreed with them!
That’s why I really try hard to write a blog posting which every of us could read my blog writings without any difficulties.
Ever many deaf people ask me how come I did not post the vlog presentation. I do want to, but I have to get myself a new laptop computer with built-in camera. I do not use VRS at this moment.
I am with you, Ella Lentz about the troublesome trends within the deaf blogsphere. Some deaf bloggers think that they could get away with their saracasm or undermine someone else.
Every writers are responsible to their own audience and make sure that there are not any kind of destructive intents, etc.
Our U.S. Constitution’s “freedom of speech and the press” protection already made a clear emphasis on people taking responsibility of their own actions like not able to scream “fire” in the movie theatre without any existing facts (fire, etc) to support their justification in saying “fire” in the first place.
Robert L. Mason (RLM)
RLMDEAF blog
December 17th, 2007 at 2:22 pm
Karen Mayes,
Please don’t put out classic examples of deficit thinking on other blogs just because I approved your comment later than others. First of all, it is MY vlogsite and as others say, the owner of a blogsite has the final decision to do whatever s/he wants with it. Right?
I simply held off your comment because I wanted to make sure I respond to it thoughtfully. It’s only been a few hours.
Nevertheless, here’s my response.
I was a bit concerned that you asked your father, which I assume is hearing, what he thought. I believe Indianapolis where you live has one of the largest group of most intelligent, deep, and caring thinkers in America and it would have been honorable if you recognized this important gift of Deaf people and discoursed this topic with them before responding.
Your father however made a comment that I saw as reasonable.
I just hope you look inward and breathe deeply for a good while as I do everytime I read a blood curling comment or post. I keep telling myself, OK , OK , OK it’s not that person’s doing in its entirity. It’s the mentality that audism (and AGBell) has so cleverly planted in many of us. Sometimes, I ignore them with sadness..sometimes in anger…but I try to transform the anger into something productive and that pushes us ALL further in our Deafhood journey. NOT EASY, MIND YOU!
Anyway, I look forward to continuing this discussion….and please check your language and actions and instead of defending them, evaluate if they are anti-Deaf which is bascially the deficit thinking here in DeafRead or challenging discussion?
December 17th, 2007 at 2:23 pm
IamMine (and DE),
Allow me to interrupt here…
I think the “WHAT” means the way of thinking… the negative thinking that causes one to become a deficit thinker. It’s the negative mindset and negative attitude, not the person. But we, as a person or as a group of people need to change that attitude, that way of thinking to something more positive.
That is what the “WHAT” is that DE was trying to say. Right, DE. Forgive me, but I am not trying to put words in your mouth or signs in your hands (wink) but gosh, I couldn’t wait any longer before you finally replied, DE!
But do please clarify for IamMine from your own perspective and feel free to correct me if I am wrong.
Many thanks!
December 17th, 2007 at 2:28 pm
“Trend carefully – feelings are everywhere”
this is something i try to remember each time i post
i think deficit thinking applies both ways – Elite Deaf Subalterns may say strong ASL users r deficient in English and ASL/Big D zealots
and
Deaf Elite Subalterns may say strong English users r deficient in ASL and Deafhood
this is like Goya’s painting “Saturn Devouring his son” – this is divide and conquer at work
we r all really part of the human family – i have seen blogs / vlogs that do not make me proud of the human race. i have seen blogs / vlogs that i personally object to but at the same time i can appreciate the delivery and wit (in English or ASL). i shift them over in my mind trying to find some gems and wisdom if any exist
it is essential to remember that there are far more Deaf/Hard of Hearing/and Hearing people of goodwill out there on the WWW then there are of ill-will
lets keep our eyes on the prize
“type carefully – feelings are everywhere”
peace
patti durr
December 17th, 2007 at 2:44 pm
how can we move to additive thinking
looking at what the individual and/or group can bring to the table that can help us all shine?
if some prefer not to come to the table but rather hurl stones at it? move out of the way
i am learning not to click vlogs / blogs that i know are designed to antagonize me
there is alot of baiting going on – luring us into sites for surprise attacks etc
one quote says “if u r tried of getting walked all over – move out of the way”
some folks will need to stomp around and cause havoc – just move out of the way – their actions and words will speak volumes
return to looking at systematic oppression, how to examine and combat it and the game plan – dont get distracted by the folks throwing sticks and stones
ella – i want to thank u for generating this vlog – its a great examination of the topic and calls EACH of us – myself especially – to examine our choices and to be accountable
peace
p
December 17th, 2007 at 3:08 pm
Thank you for speaking about this negative ideal that so many people seem to have. We need to get rid of negative labels and start being more positive!
December 17th, 2007 at 4:00 pm
Guys,
Keeping your arguement is a selfish desire!!
December 17th, 2007 at 4:10 pm
Ella,
Thank you so much for this vlog. I know it might be a long explanation but could you respond to the comment #35? I am interested in this too.
I really enjoyed reading so many positive comments from your readers:)
December 17th, 2007 at 4:53 pm
Ella- I hear ye!
(pun intended)
Such a thought provoking, meaningful message from a caring, graceful signer.
You go girl!
Edna
December 17th, 2007 at 4:55 pm
Ella,
I am appreciating that you were announcing those one to Vlog/Blog as I noticed that there have lot of negative and not understand each other in USA than other countries anyway I agreed with DeafChip as I live in Canada and we like to help them but …. Well
Thank you Ella
December 17th, 2007 at 5:09 pm
Hey Ella,
Thumbs up!!!!
Wow! Your comments are very good. I am interest in the various stories on your Vlog.
Thanks for your comment!
Bobby Lopez
December 17th, 2007 at 5:38 pm
Hi Ella,
I watched your vlog. Yes, I agree with you!
Merry Christmas to you and Judy as well as your entire family.
Thank you for a clear goal!
December 17th, 2007 at 5:53 pm
**********Hands Waving************
*****Thumbs up*******
THANK you so MUCH for clarfying!!!
You Go Girl!!! Keep Vlogging, I have learned SO much from you!
December 17th, 2007 at 6:02 pm
i wonder why nobody even thought that maybe ella’s comments may very well be a degree of paternalism. It’s really too bad.
December 17th, 2007 at 6:45 pm
Hearing Mom and Raining in the Northwest….
Critically examining the audistic system should be THE focus for discussion among DeafRead and responsible Deaf v/bloggers (and allies) NOW!
I do have thoughts and ideas….but I don’t have the exact answers YET….especially when the community continues to be divided by internalized deficit thinking about Deaf people…
A project all of us could take up is to RECORD and/or DESCRIBE various examples of audism (defiict thinking) and bring to the table to dissect and explore and figure how that fits in the bigger picture and seek the fastest route to dismantle the audism in the system and among us.
I believe I saw some time ago some v/bloggers starting this “collection”… I want to make this collection and analysis more formalized like a curriculum or lesson plans to be taught first to Deaf people, especially our Deaf youth…and also to our ASL students to prepare them to become the best allies possible.
I know this doesn’t really answer your questions… but most definitely we need to talk about this more…
December 17th, 2007 at 6:50 pm
Ella,
loved your vlog. My mom always taught me, “Your attitude determines your altitude.” Hey, I think that quote can connect/relate to this current inner and external battle of “deficient thinking” vs. positive affirmations and aspirations. I have viewed the feedback, and if I may comment…DE (I think you are the often shown guest “vlogger” on Joey’s vlog site)? If I am correct, I appreciate your comments about the WHAT instead of WHO. It’s not the outer person we should judge or discredit (hearing, beginner ASL, etc) but instead embrace WHAT is in the heart and mind of individuals-sharing similar desires and goals towards the success of the Deaf community regardless of background. Ella and DE, well done!!!
December 17th, 2007 at 6:51 pm
Hello!
The world of deaf vlogging/blogging is still relatively new. So it is undeniably natural that there will be bumps along the journey when deaf blogging/vlogging become mature with more experience & wisdom. At least, it proves us the opportunities to analyze things in great depth & become better persons as a result! I don’t care if things become chaotic from time to time among deaf vloggers/bloggers because it is a learning experience. Mistakes are the best teacher we can learn from! Who cares if some people get upset? We all are survivors & can adjust no matter how life treats us!
To me, deafhood is still a distant term. Hoping to read the book when I have time, it is crucial that the deaf community gets educated what deafhood truly means to see if it would be worthy to embrace it completely or use only a few instances. Nothing wrong if we choose different avenues that the author may not have thought of in the first place. Deafhood may be a rough draft of what will impact the deaf community for years to come! We may choose a different name or simply stay w/ the name “deaf”. Of course, many people have reservations about deafhood because it doesn’t sound familiar. So I only hope deafhood would not be rammed down our throats against our wishes if we choose to disregard it for some reasons. There is no deadline regarding deafhood so we should feel at ease at analyzing circumstances surrounding the deaf culture. And let’s not forget to have discussions take place in many deaf communities nationwide where deafies of all walks of life can have their feedback that would contribute greatly to improve our deaf culture so we all can feel great about being deaf!
Being deaf my whole life & having deaf relatives, I can observe firsthand how the deaf culture has changed over in the last few decades for the better (technology) & yes, worse in some aspects. But the deaf culture will always have a special place in my heart no matter how much it may have changed. God has blessed us with the wonderful gift of having ASL so we can freely communicate effortlessly. So I give full credit to God for providing us with sign language when speaking orally would not be to our benefit! Things haven’t been always easy for deafies historically but we have a lot to thank God for while many others have it much worse than us around the world! It can be easy sometimes to lose focus on why we should be grateful. Therefore, we should not give up no matter what. Even if we may feel the world is against us, God is & will always be at our sides encouraging us to continue despite the barriers placed in our paths by the world! Anyway, I pray that our beloved deaf culture will enjoy glory where deafies are in harmony!
Thank you!
December 17th, 2007 at 7:34 pm
>I don’t know how you can
>sleep at night, with people flushing the
>toilet at midnight, traffic roaring by at 2AM
>and then there’s the snoring going on next
>door 6 inches away from you…
#17 Carrie,
You are absolutely right. There are positive (desirable) aspects of one’s brain not being bombarded with sounds. That shows that the fundamental issue involved is mental and abstract, not audiological and concrete.
I think it was Rachel Berman that said audiologists should use the term “hearing level,” instead of “hearing loss.” I agree 100%.
Varying hearing levels are simply a fact of life without any meaning in and of themselves. The question of desirability or undesirability is completely a question of context. I think eventually society will understand this, but it is going to take time. In the meantime, it seems that Deaf people are the last people on earth to be misunderstood to the extent that anti-Deaf bigots do not realize even realize that they harbor bigoted views.
December 17th, 2007 at 8:41 pm
Ella,
You hit the nail on the head about a doctor’s or anyone’s mentioning “hearing loss” as the reflection of his or her deficit thinking. It reminds me of a story my friend had told me about the parents she knew several years ago. The doctor told the parents, “You have a baby boy.” The parents were joyous. Then the doctor shifted their mood by saying, “But your baby has no language.” Bewildered, the parents asked him what he meant by that. He told them that the baby was deaf and recommended them to see the cochlear implant doctor.
It is not true that deaf babies have no language. American Sign Language (ASL) is a language of the deaf. ASL meets Linguist Structurally and synataxically, ASL meets the requirements prescribed in Noam Chomsky’s “Universal Rules of Grammar” (1957).
December 17th, 2007 at 8:59 pm
Carrie,
You have my FULL permission to put words/signs in my mouth/hands because I trust you to have the best interests of the Deaf community at heart!!!!
Amy Bowers,
Thank you.
Raining in the northwest,
I contributed a bit to “defining” deficit thinking in my latest vlog, http://www.deafread.com/go/34410.
Patti Durr,
How do we move to additive thinking? Just do it! You are one of my current heroes- always being able to look beyond personal issues and at the big picture! You have the ability to attract people to a positive, Deaf-centered thinking!
Down with deficit thinking! Upwards with Deaf-centered thinking!
DE
December 17th, 2007 at 9:46 pm
Ella, you’ve raised a valid point where we all need to stop and think for a sec on where we are now. We’ve been barking at the wrong tree where the focus should be on the system that FAILED us. Yet, it continues to produce failures and it won’t change until action takes place. 127 years is a LONG time. Go figure!
December 18th, 2007 at 5:24 am
I have mediated on your vlogs since yesterday and popped up in my mind. I started to realize the way hearing people’s reaction toward the deaf people. Yes, in fact, it is deficit thinking because hearing people always get misunderstanding of the language the way Deaf people speak and caused to think too negative on them. Even deaf people have deficit thinking toward hearing people too. Both deaf and hearing people will ALWAYS have problem in communicating functions! There will NOT have any peace in this world till it will be end! Well, it makes me sense on topic, “deficit thinking” I hope deaf people can take a patience to communicate with the hearing people; therefore, the hearing people ALSO take patience, too! It won’t be taking easy to do!
December 18th, 2007 at 6:07 am
Allow me to add a different perspective here by drawing an analogy. Bear with me:
For years I started my morning with the daily newspaper. I literally could not go on with my day if I didn’t have my daily newspaper and coffee first.
My partner at the time also read the papers with me. After we broke up, she went on her way and I went on my way. Every so often we would check in with each other “hi, how are ya, what’s new? did you see that in the news about ……..(whatever)…?” After a few years, she would say, hey, I don’t read the papers anymore. I don’t follow the news. I don’t care for the right wing propaganda that’s projected at us via our daily paper, our daily TV, our daily news, etc.” At the time I thought, wow, she’s really isolationist… how could ANYONE go by a day without watching the news or reading the newspaper??? But then I started taking a new look at WHAT I was reading/watching/filling my head with everyday that I called “news”— wow, I just accepted whatever the editors, journalists, tv newspeople, etc, whatever they said, I accepted as “news”. That started me thinking. So, in a very scary moment, I decided to CANCEL my newspaper subscription. (WOW, never realized how addicting it is to hold a newspaper in your hand!) I started deciding WHAT I will read/watch. Pretty soon I started to see that my ex was right… the American mainstream “news” system is very right-wing.
And then there’s the supermarket tabloids. Puhleeze! I can’t believe people actually read that stuff (who cares if Brad Pitt was caught in the arms of someone else? he’s an actor fercryingoutloud!!!) But you know what? People grab those and read it. That’s the American way. Freedom of the press.
So my analogy is this… there’s a lot of “us” who are trying to stay current with deaf news, and with the explosion of blogs and vlogs, we are like immigrants to a new country… wow, lemme see lemme have lemme want want want. Little do we know that WE need to be responsible for WHAT we want. WE need to be our own thinkers and editors. Just because someone writes it or puts it on the internet doesn’t mean it’s absolute.
I have not read the blogs that people are alluding to here. I don’t care to. I LOVE Ella’s Flashlight. I pick and choose what I read about deafhood and audism.
So, carry on, Ella. Your flashlight is VERY illuminating.
\|”/
December 18th, 2007 at 7:36 am
Hi Ella,
Please delete my first comment due to misspelling.
Yes, I agree with you 100 percent because it is absolute true! Thanks for your vlog.
Merry Christmas to you and Happy New Year 2008!
Deaf Farmer
December 18th, 2007 at 9:09 am
Say! Ella,
Very good topic…but still SAME OLD STORY, know you…(SMILE)
Bob Dillman SDSD class of 1957 & G-64
December 18th, 2007 at 9:41 am
BB,
Amen! to your analogy of being responsible for our choices and thinking
Longo,
indeed! we been barking up the wrong tree when we attack Deaf people and defend ourselves against Deaf gifts such as ASL and wisdom from our past and our small community….and we gotta get together, challenge and support each other in our Deafhood journeys and get together to bark up the RIGHT tree which is the AUDISTIC SYSTEM.
Robin,
At first I disagreed about Deaf people having deficit thinking about hearing people because we do not see them as “missing” something…quite the opposite. We tend to look at them as having some “super power or super knowledge”… however, I realized that in terms of ASL, we tend to believe that hearing people CANT learn ASL well so we lower our expectations for their skills, giving them excessive praises or grades higher than they really deserve… but then… where did we learn that thinking? FROM OUR STINKY ORALISM-RULED EDUCATION AND BRAINWASHING (even at Deaf schools with more than a few Deaf teachers)?
We should continue this discussion and come up with better and clearer understanding of where we are..and where we SHOULD be going…
December 18th, 2007 at 9:50 am
Ella,
I agree with your comment about disagree with my second ones because I try to understand the system between hearing and deaf till I get clarify from you about hearing world controlling over deafies’ life through oralism’s ruling on education and brainwashing. That is good point! Yes, I see that hearing people can’t learn ASL therefore can’t understand us.
Many thanks for advise!
ROBIN
December 18th, 2007 at 10:30 am
Hoooaaarrry What a way to speak up!!! I’m with Ella all the way..Ella used to be one of my Gally classmates (Class of 74) however it has nothing to do with Gally itself! I have received some emailsw/vlogs & blogs I can see different in sign language in these blogs & vlogs.. What else for I’m so fed up see “negative & criticizing of using ASL.. Just leave us alone if you dont like us!
December 18th, 2007 at 10:56 am
Isaw one comment “many hearing teachers and few deaf teachers at school for deaf??”
I can clarify this for it does happen at my alumni mater (Ark School for the Deaf) it really sadden and at same time makes me mad but there is nothing we “DEAF” in Ark can do for it is required to have teaching certification by state law… Ark Assoc of the Deaf is still working on this issue with hope the State Legislature will accept or just waive for deaf teachers to resume their jobs without certification…
I know it sounds so unfair but that’s part of life!! What we “DEAF” can do is to continue speak up and fight for our rights!
In my previous comment to Ella’s discussion, I sincerely hope you can ignore my misspelling words for it’s hard for me to type while the keyboard is on my lap SMILE….
December 18th, 2007 at 11:30 am
Ella, you look great. My hands are waving to you and bravo! Deficit thinking is really impacted on me. I honestly admitted that I tend to criticize on others. What I do is to stop it by myself. Thank you for your great blog. Smile….Linda
December 18th, 2007 at 12:44 pm
Hi Ella & DE –
Thank you for your time and commitment to educating the world about interesting topics that concern the Deaf community!
Listening to you both has opened my mind and eyes to WHAT is really happening among us all. It does not really matter WHO or WHERE we are at this current moment, but WHAT we all are exposed to.
I will be the first one to admit that I always say “I want/need to run away from all of this (deficit thinking).” But, again, I’ll be the first one to admit that deficit thinking follows me everywhere… I finally realize that the deficit thinking needs to end within ME first. I need to learn and understand what deficit thinking is … just like what was discussed on this vlog/blog site. KUDOS!
Your passion and concern for what is happening within this world is inspirational. You both sure did inspire me
Thanks again for the time you have dedicated to this communication.
Have a wonderful holiday season!!!
Cara
December 18th, 2007 at 12:55 pm
One more thing… Maybe we all should start thinking and talking about ABUNDANCE THINKING rather than deifict thinking?
Cheers!
December 18th, 2007 at 4:28 pm
“prelingual deafness” is part of deficit thinking !! bec they assumed that ASL is not a language
this has to stop NOW
because it is very very old thinking
need new words in Deaf viewpoint…any ideas ?
December 18th, 2007 at 4:38 pm
The blogs did reminds me of the medical/pathological view points as opposed to the cultural viewpoints I learned ages ago and now I can see what the “deficit thinking” on our part can do to us culturally wise … Thanks for the timely enlightenment in your vlog Ella.
Paul
December 18th, 2007 at 11:36 pm
I’m in same boat as Anna S on the #12. One of my 3 deaf childen has CI. All children are at public school while deaf school is just 5 mintues away from my house.
Does it mean that I’m deficiant thinker? Does it mean that I am not totally in deafhood? My children are one of 85% children at the public school in USA. They are in wonderful D/HH program with the awesome teachers. I keep very close eye on their progress and so far, I’m pleased.
And, of course, I’m hoping for the best in my kids’ future .. I hope they will be accepted in Deaf adult world regardless of their school background. They should be entitled to be in Deaf world because they are Deaf first of all, and having us their Deaf parents who are Gally alumni, deaf schools graduate..
I’m very tired of the vloggers/bloggers being so obsessed about CI. CI surgeries on the Vlogs .. it became a tiresome view! It’s similar to any other kind of surgeries – breast implants, facelifts, heart pacemaker, and many more. All surgeries are gross and bloody. Why are we so obsessed with CI surgeries? I watched many surgeries on the Discovery health channel. Abortion is the most horrible sight for me to view – full body fetus/baby being ripped apart, destroyed.. It’s beyond horrible than CI surgery itself.
CI is just a tool for my child to benefit – it does NOT make her a hearing.. hearing-minded person.
Deafhood is a huge and heavy topic for all of us the deaf people – I’m in favor of this concept, however I do have some scary feelings that it’s going to be like an exclusive thinking group – we the ASL Deaf people are not that many in numbers.. With other deaf people who can sign and feel positive of their deaf identity help increasing the numbers in this collective group. I really don’t know what the future outcome of this.. It appears to be healthy life journey as long as the person is able to montior his own critical thinking abilities.
Education is the best tool for all of us to embrace with open-minded and appropriate manner.
CI is here, and it will be here for next 50+ years. Let’s get over with it – We need to move on and view CI just like an hearing aid. We need to focus on our enegry working on adding ASL to all deaf babies & children.
Thanks
December 19th, 2007 at 1:24 am
Kim,
All of us have absorbed deficit thinking. Some of us are starting to recognize the patterns and make progress to rid of deficit thinking from our mind, actions and talk. You will need to look into your own mind and determine for yourself after seeing all the discussion on that subject recently as well as doing your own research.
You said you are tired of people being obsessed with CIs. Would you say the same about AGBell and their huge influence everywhere around us, including heavy dealings with CI corporations? If you look into all the literature related to Deaf people, i.e. books, articles, TV programs, movies, etc etc. I could bet you that a huge huge majority of them have AGBell’s deficit thinking about Deaf people.
Compare that amount to the amount of CI dissenters… its really very sad at the small amount and YET those dissenters are being bombarded by other Deaf people for speaking up against the audism in CIs despite our right to express our ideas.
However, rest assured, knowing the Deaf people like I do, your Deaf children and yourself will NEVER be “rejected” as Deaf persons…that is if the Deaf community still carries the same values that I grew up with…
IT all depends on the attitude your children and you have about being Deaf, about being able to hear better than others, about thinking less of Deaf people who chose to attend residential schools, about thinking and acting that speaking and proper English is more important than fluency in ASL….that will determine how others will feel about them.
It’s my belief that when a Deaf person–no matter their educational backgrounds, their using CI or hearing aid, their ASL/English skills–CHOOSES to stand in solidarity with other Deaf people against all forms of audism and deficit thinking inside themselves and in people who have influence on our lives, i.e. professionals …they will be respected deeply that if they express a new or different ideas that may be “scary” to the Deaf community, because of their choosing the solidarity against audism, they will be “heard” without question….
and once their attitude is positive towards other Deaf people, they will be able to tolerate all kinds of challenging comments and questions that may seem like criticism or insults. After all, my hearing ASL students have exclaimed to me that they realize that straight talk are becoming more appealing to them than the famous vague talk of hearing people.
Let’s talk more.
December 19th, 2007 at 4:26 am
Not just this vlog but I’ve seen many of your vlogs, blogs as well as other articles and publications, I have a simple message for you: we do need someone like you to represent our deaf community and to be an authority on deaf issues. You certainly know how to say the right things for us, deaf people.
The simple answer is, of course, the NAD president or perhaps the NAD executive director.
December 19th, 2007 at 5:02 am
Ella, your vlog discussion of deficit thinking caused me to look forward to seeing you in New Orleans next month. I have been sidetracked to the extent that I did not follow you for such a long time. Your comment on deficit thinking reminded me of an example I often used in my retreat talks and homilies. The example is a blank sheet of paper with three holes in it. I would hold it up before an audience and ask them what they were seeing. The usual reply was the holes. After receiving it, I would continue to ask if that was all they saw. Eventually they realized that there was more to the description of the paper: color, size, and quality. Parallelwise, we easily notice something missing and dwell on it. In the meantime, we overlook assets.
Meeting an angry person can throw me off guard. Consequently, I become insensitive and fail to listen to the cries of the pain in the person. Our call is to empower him or her to be educated about the assets of his or her culture and celebrate.
I am looking forward to educating myself about the assets of deafhood even at my current age. It has been good to feel renewed and refreshed. It is a miracle in a way.
December 19th, 2007 at 10:22 am
Ella
Please help me to understand about we will choose deficit thinking and possibility thinking. What is possibility thinking?
December 19th, 2007 at 12:12 pm
Hmmm – now what about credit/surplus/excess thinking….. – only this side of the coin is debated as enthusiastically as that for deficit thinking??? Human nature or what?
Seriously though – I am bordering on deficit thinking here but it is interesting to see who was the first to response to this vlog……
December 20th, 2007 at 7:47 am
I think you really made me think harder. I realized that I have deficit thinking in my own personal perception. I, being a deaf coda had deficit thinkings on many issues such as deaf people stereotying other deaf people and using signed english as opposed to ASL. Now I have to review many issues with open mind, really listen to other deaf people and try to understand them without arguing back.
Thank you so very much. I agree with someone saying that you are lovely. Smile
December 20th, 2007 at 6:05 pm
I notice many people are getting tired of the “Deficit Thinking” theme. But I disagree with those that want to “move on.” It is a critical issue at hand which affects the Deaf community. It is an issue to be explored, to be examined, and dissected surgically. Deficit thinking is like a cancer that unknown to us, is eating away the healthy cells and replacing them with cancerous cells. When one has cancer, what does one do? Attack it right away and seek treatment for it. That is essentially what we are doing right now, attacking it and treating it as a problem, in identifying it and educating people about it, to bring more awareness in critically examining how the audist system poses as a threat to our ASL birthright.
If we don’t treat it, the audist system will flow into our young ones’ veins. As they like to treat us medically, let’s treat them back with the same verbiage, “medically.”
Only that we give higher doses.
December 20th, 2007 at 6:49 pm
Keep in mind…
According to Pro blogger, internet marketer, or any kind of expert in that kind of field has subscribe to the number 1/10/100.
It is a percentage of read/viewship. 1% is who blog/vlog frequently. 10% is who blog/vlog occasionally. 100% is those who just view and read. We may holds those 10% accountable but don’t forget how this powerful internet estate will influence the 100% who may decide to not make inkling. Then what are our benchmark and responsibilities?
December 23rd, 2007 at 6:06 am
Ella,
As usual, your views promotes the art that enables trusted, context-rich conversations among the appropriate members of communities about things the Deaf community is passionate about. For this, I am forever grateful to you.
Our work in promoting Deaf bilingual education over the years has continued to suggest that efforts to reform most, if not all, Deaf schools in the United States, often fail because of educators’ unwillingness to examine the root causes of underachievement and of failure among Deaf students and because of their tendency to locate the problem within students, families, and communities.
Needless to add, to continue such deficit thinking poses an even greater danger to our Deaf children. Its insidious in nature and has the potential to damage our children’s still developing psyches and prevent them from moving forward into the future.
In my opinion, such deficit thinking smacks of a variety of “-isms” — none of which are at all morally or ethically acceptable in a multi-cultural, global environment.
Like you have tried to explain, we need to deconstruct such deficit thinking. Drawing on some of the research studies (”Social Darwinism,” “Deficit Theory,” “Cultural Deficit Theory,” “Cultural Difference Theory,” “Cultural Ecology,” “Culture of Poverty,” to name a few), I like to present that we come up with a conceptual framework for the deconstruction of deficit thinking through staff development. Next, we can discuss and address assumptions and beliefs about culturally diverse Deaf students and families that they have encountered in low performing Deaf schools, and they illustrate how such beliefs may be successfully challenged and reframed.
Thomas Jefferson has said back in 1776 in his opening of the Declaration of Independence, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.”
Let’s begin deconstructing!
December 23rd, 2007 at 2:20 pm
I hope one day Deficit Thinking will be removed and make Deaf community grow and get better BETTER! Deficit Thinking (they) has no heart because they were attending their religious but their heart is stink! Do they understand their own religious? My answer is NO! Because “religious” is open mind and open heart to another, and helping another. Therefore they should open mind to listen Deaf community. If they won’t then that mean their religious is FAKE and deficit thinking too. God judge deficit thinking. God bless Deaf community!
What do u you think?
December 26th, 2007 at 5:51 pm
Well said.. loud and clear… to the point – thanks Ella. Thank you for speaking out what I believe the deficit thinking has absolutely hurt our Deaf community … into the eyes of others…
We need to learn to change our negative thoughts into an optimistic thinking.
Its easy to be negative – but so hard to be positive. Sad … but true…
Thanks again Ella… have a good year!
December 31st, 2007 at 12:50 pm
it is natural that lot of deaf people are jealousy and think negatively. it is basically protected within themselves.
December 31st, 2007 at 3:54 pm
Very POSITIVE and well spoken! There is Frances Parsons who is a good example of this deficiet thinking about ASL.
Tara
January 7th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Yup, keep videoing! Way to go, Ella!
It may not be related to Deficit Thinking but I am curious and would like your opinion. Does the term word “hearing impaired” bother you? I never like it. One day my Deaf friend and I met my hearing friend who worked with one HH and two CI students at mainstream school. She was so easy to lipread. She had a few friends with her. She introduced me to her friends, speaking “This is Dora. She’s hearing impaired.” I introduced her to my Deaf friend, speaking and signing “This is Erin. She’s hand impaired.” My hearing friend felt offended by my comment and wanted to know why. I told her that she did not know sign language and that was an impair. It was same thing to her that my hearing was an impair. I told her if she called me Deaf, I would call her hearing. She said that her students hated being called “hearing impaired”, too. Yessss! I wonder if any of you feel that way, too. Is that okay I asked, Ella?
January 8th, 2008 at 10:42 am
Hi Ella, (ASL) long time no talk with you VP
Like to chat again future…OK? I see no wrong in “hearing loss” It is a kind of medical wording to measure degree of hearing capacity.
My reply to #91-Dora, It seem that it is defective thinking in your response after your friend introduced you as hearing impaired, according to Ella’s vlog… To me it do not bother me at all if any one call me as “HI” or “Deaf” or “disabled”… If you really not like to be called “HI” then you better start writing to our government to stop using ” hearing impaired” in many laws,form,and etc…
January 8th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
#91-deafmutearthur,
Thanks for the response. Aah, you are one of them who would say that.
That’s cool.
Hi Ella, hope you are fine.
Dora
January 8th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
Hi Dora and deafmutearthur,
First, yes I am fine, smile.
And, Arthur, yes it would be great to talk with you again on VP. Been a long time. Hope life been good to you.
Dora, I loved how you handled your friend’s bad choice of words, i.e hearing impaired. Although you friend was upset according to you, I am sure it WOKE HER UP BIG TIME!! And you did the “unity” thing and advocated for her students who she evidently wasn’t listening to very well. Thank you.
January 20th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
[...] as others have said in numerous ways and times, are ultimately the ones responsible and accountable for our own words and actions. If we do not like how DR is growing up – its up to us to generate [...]
March 2nd, 2008 at 10:31 am
YES DEFINITELY! I’m glad you bought up this issue relates with vblogs. I think it helps us to “think before we say something” in vblogs.
Perfect vblog!
March 6th, 2008 at 6:00 am
Well said, Ella! Hey, I would like to mention hearing loss. I’ve seen the term more frequently since vlog become more popular. I would like to see it change because not every one of us experience hearing loss as some of us was born deaf without losing hearing. I feel it is inappropiate term to classify or label us, deaf folks, as people with hearing loss. The only time and reason we can use the term is for certain individual or group, who experienced hearing loss. I was born deaf and do not know what it is like to lose hearing. Feedback on my opinion is welcome, but with positive one!
Thank you
March 6th, 2008 at 10:10 am
Hi Texanman,
I think same as you that “hearing loss” is an inappropriate term to label us. I know people who use that term are trying to put us all together using a term that includes us all, but in reality, it denies the wholesomeness,the people, the ancestors, the visual and performing arts, the power and beauty of our language that whatever “hearing loss”tries to categorize.
It pitifully and inappropriately restricts and narrows us down to the haircells and the tinest bones in our bodies. And WHY? I ask.
It all comes to WHICH DIMENSION (the view of reality) the person has about Deaf people.
You, me, and more and more of us as well as our hearing allies (parents, siblings, children, students, teachers, friends, spouses)need to take a stand and constantly look critically at our words, thinking, and actions to recognize and remove audism AND keep challenging others as well.
Keep up your thinking and courage.
March 6th, 2008 at 10:36 am
Dearest Ella Mae Lentz , I agree with you 100%. I love that your explains very clearly and strong positive!!!!
Keep up your strong thinking and good impress words…….
March 19th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
Dearest Ella Mae,
I agree with you 100%. You explain very clear and strong thinking.
I was born deaf, hearing impaired, disabled, hearing loss, I don’t care what you calling me. I am thinking positive. I grew up in oral school. I learned how to speak, lipread, and voice but not my EARS without using ASL until age 20 years old. I found myself I am DEAF not HEARING. I am not confused myself which one I choose deaf or hearing world. I know I am deaf person myself. My oral friends invited me to join to the deaf clubs, deaf culture, deaf community, deaf world, and deaf school with ASL. My heart is blasted. We are involved in deaf world. They taught us sign language in ESL and ASL..I figured it out myself what is ESL and ASL. I learned something with deaf culture. I never discussed with deaf people about oral are the best school in the whole world. I have seen many deaf people have negative thinking against oral, CI, hearing aids blah blah same ole stories. They were bulled against me because I was oral. ohhhhh please STOP bully against me because I am DEAF person. I am supporting ASL all of my life. I am proud of myself as deaf person with good thinking positive. We are not different world. Deaf world is only one world included ASL, oral, CI, hearing aids. We must support each other no matter what. We must discuss how we feel about oral and ASL and CI. I know ASL is very powerful for many years. It is good history for ASL. I am proud of them.
I am very strong thinking just like you Etta Mae. Thank you so much for explaining to us as Deaf World.
May 15th, 2008 at 6:19 am
wowo thats wonderful its very clearly explain. Thank you KH
November 24th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
This is an old post, so I don’t know if you will read my comment! I am confused by the deficit thinking concept as pertains to deaf people. I think I understand the Deafhood type of deficit thinking: “silent world,” “isolation,” “missing out,” etc. But I am struggling with learning about Audism and oppression and how to keep hope. For example, when I think about and experience these things, sometimes I feel like “the world is oppressive to me,” “hearing people will be ignorant of my needs and I have to work any time I need an interpreter to educate them,” and “I am unable to access things my hearing peers are; they have ‘privilege’ that I resent.” I do have those thoughts sometimes, and right now it seems like those things are true. But is that also deficit thinking?
On a different note, what if we say that deaf children who are raised without a deaf identity (oralism, CI, etc.) are missing something important…is that deficit thinking too?