Deafhood: Helen Keller "Blindness separates us from things; deafness separates us from people"

Helen Keller did not mean Blind people are separated from things and Deaf people from people. In my belief that she emphasized that deafness/medical (oralism) and blindness/medical have separated us from reality. She emphasizes on vision that we can expand our life fully. Helen Keller learned water through feeling (not through seeing) and through sign language (not through auditory-verbal) to open the door for her to realize the vision!

It appeared that Helen understood the concept of Deafhood. I know the Deafhood term was not existed during her time. Paddy Ladd invented the name of Deafhood only. He does not invent the concept of Deafhood. The concept of Deafhood is as old as the human race because Deaf people are part of the human race.

Additional comment (not included in the vlog) that I am aware of her being involved in oralism. However, she was put in oralism with no choice due to A. G. Bell. I believe Helen had her own views deep inside her that expressed her ideas (quotes). I think that we have to look into her for her reasons that appeared being conflicted with other comments about her. We need to look into that.

Helen Keller's Quotes:




"Once I knew only darkness and stillness... my life was without past or future... but a little word from the fingers of another fell into my hand that clutched at emptiness, and my heart leaped to the rapture of living."




"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much."




"It is for us to pray not for tasks equal to our powers, but for powers equal to our tasks, to go forward with a great desire forever beating at the door of our hearts as we travel toward our distant goal."




"Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood. "




"Many people know so little about what is beyond their short range of experience. They look within themselves - and find nothing! Therefore they conclude that there is nothing outside themselves either. "

"The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision."

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Deafhood

[NorthBraveheart]

Hi! I'm not sure that Helen Keller had written this citation. Where did you get this? Her book? Dairy?

[deafchipmunk]

@NorthBraveheart Hi there, I have found some quotes in two different books, "The Story of My Life" and "Helen Keller: A Life". I am trying to put the website. This comment box won't accept it. I don't know why. I will try to find a way.

[deafchipmunk]

@NorthBraveheart Only way is to type Helen Keller quotes in googles, you will see the website - brainyquote.

[ASLeslie]

I don't know if I would agree with you this time because Helen Keller did claim that she wished to be blind rather than being deaf. Now this quote, I think she meant by deafness separates us from people is communicate. That is the truth. That is why many ignorant hearing people still expect us to learn how to speak, why is that? For your info, I don't respect her as a role model for our community, but I do respect her as a woman.

[deafchipmunk]

@ASLeslie I understand clearly. However, there are some conflicts in her comments and quotes that got my attention. It is not confirmed everything but some of her quotes that are related to the concept of Deafhood. I want to know why and need to look into that. Perhaps I am wrong or perhaps I am not. I feel that all her life, Helen Keller was oppressed and surrounded by oralists/audists but her quotes might be her secret or subconscious messages. We need to look into that.

[DeafSweetMind]

Thank you! DeafChimpmuck :) It s more of our Deaf thinking as appropriate of being deaf the way we are dealing with our natural abilities. That s the way it goes for us and our feelings/seeing. No need to interfere by AGBell s hearing view to change us into a Shadow hearing that is not really necessay for them to conform us for their sakes.

[deafchipmunk]

@DeafSweetMind Hi there! Yep, we need to look at the whole picture rather than a dot or narrow picture. It is important for us to see another side of any human being who has been oppressed by the oralism. I feel that Helen Keller was influenced by corrupt A. G. Bell and his filthy people who surrounded Kelly and poisoned her thinkings toward not only Deaf people but also Blind people. I just found out that some Blind people criticized her. I believe she was victim of ableism and audism.

[ASLeslie]

@deafchipmunk After watching Msdeafbutterfly's video, she could be right - the question is how did HK become rich? By promoting AGB's work, she is under influenced. A good idea is to take a look - smile. Actually, I did not know her that much.

[DeafSweetMind]

@deafchipmunk Oh yes AGBELL ad his fifthy people misused her.. Believe it or not! it was not for sign language that Helen Keller wouldnt be able to communicate or learn to write or understand anything without ASL. I strongly believe she was under control by them badly. I strongly believe Blind people wasnt pleased with her as far as I dont blame them for a good reason.

[deafchipmunk]

@DrDonGCSUS Originally, I was disappointed in her for her oralism publicity and her relationship with AGBell. However, her quotes and other documents got my attention. I realize most of her quotes are similar to the Deafhood concept. For an example, she prefers being blind rather than deaf. But her quote states, "of all senses, sight must be the most delightful." Her quotes might be her hidden messages that she hoped people would find. Was she victimized by pro oralists? We should look into it.

[DrDonGCSUS]

Not sure I agree with your analysis. Why? Because HK advocated for oralism and was friends with AGB. She WANTED to talk because she thought it made her more like "other people" or the person she was "supposed to be" if she had not become Deaf. So I think she did see being Deaf as a calamity and separating from people.