What is "Deaf"?

Some people want to remove the term of "Deaf" and replace it with a new word. I disagree. The term - Deaf - is an essential term to describe who we are.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Oralism
• Alexander
• Graham
• Bell
• Linguicism
• George
• Veditz
• Paddy
• Ladd
• Deafhood
• Culture
• Language
• ASL
• medical
• audism

[deafchipmunk]

Part two: There are many people out there have no understanding about us and we would say we are culturally Deaf with an explanation of "D"eaf. People will gradually understand the difference. Remember Deafhood presentation I made about media power in Deafhood.us (first vlog) I made. Paddy recommended that we should make the same and consistent messages to the public.

[deafchipmunk]

Jenny, thanks for the video, yes that is part of our critical thinking! Yes it is difficult for hearing people to understand the difference between "d"eaf and "D"eaf due to battle between medical and cultural concepts. If hearing people know about "D"eaf, we will not have to worry about that.

[DeafJennyWitty]

David - good vlog. I like how you presented the info. Now question - how does CODA (Deaf heart, Deaf Mind) fit in with Deaf definition: Are they 'Deaf'?

[deafchipmunk]

@DeafJennyWitty Always challenge me positively! ;) In my opinion, yes they are. Why? they are born in Deaf Society and Deaf Family, their first language is ASL, they sleep, eat, breathe, laugh, cry, chat, love DEAF. Remember medical deaf does not apply to them unfortunately the medical term (deafness) imposts on us. That is my view. Deaf is based on Culture not medical or disability.

[jokerjeb]

Great Vlog!! I enjoy watching it very much, thanks!

[jpviews]

I agree and I have been thinking about that a lot. I agree that the reason why it's a negative word is that it's defined by them, not us. We keep the word but with our own definition.

[mishkazena]

what you said makes a lot of sense. thanks for bringing up the first two quotes, especially AGBell's. That quote is actually a delusion. how can we forget we are deaf if we are already deaf to start with? talk about a complete invalidation of reality.

[ASLeslie]

That is why I sometimes get frustrated because it seems to me that all you want to is T A L K or express your thoughts - COME ON - I KNOW that we need ASL MOVEMENT NOW ---- COME ON!! 2/2

[ASLeslie]

I feel that it is so sad to discuss what Deaf means? Some of you still have no clue or idea of what being deaf is all about. WOW!! Know what I mean? To me, we have NOT made any progress to push to the NEXT phase, but it looks like our movement goes wry or zigzag. I don't want any TALK, TALK, TALK, and T A L K - I DO want MOVEMENT now!! GET IT???? 1/2

[Msdeafbutterfly]

I love your video! :)

[DeafJennyWitty]

@deafchipmunk WITH THAT answer- I can see 'Deaf' as being good as it is. I would love - honestly - to bring back 'Deaf World' as a term - it's wholistic.

[TheStralie]

 You have my support!