ASL Poem - To A Hearing Mother

My contribution to Maria Shriver's April Poetry Month - a poem originally created in ASL, translated and subtitled in English.

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People & Blogs

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• ToAHearingMother

[TheMorningWord]

This is one of my favorite poems.. I often used that poem in my Social Justice and ICC classes at School for International Training... Thank you Ella fo rsharing...

Anne

[ASLElla]

@TheMorningWord awww. Glad you are making good use of this poem. Where is the School for International Training, I am curious?

[DeafPoet2]

Awesome poem!!

I wanted you to know that you have my support after Kelsey's hateful vlog! You're a GREAT person as is Judy! Stand up tall, stand strong and do what's right in your heart as you have been doing...you've humbled yourself, which is admirable (not many wud do that!) Here's my hugs of love n support!

[ASLElla]

@DeafPoet2 Thanks! It's indeed sad to see Kelsey and others doing those hateful vlogs and realizing that some people simply refuse to see the TRUTH about how amazing and full of gifts Deaf people have - our signed languages, our patience, our wisdom, our years of experience and humility under oppression of audism and Oralism, our ability to band together into a viable community...just amazing...and to see those folks denying that is hard.

[TeachESL]

I don't understand. If a child is born - or becomes - blind. Does he/she belong to some sort of 'blind culture????' Or is born missing a limb. Is there a 'culture' for limbless people??? Why should being deaf become some sort of culture???? They have to be able to function in the world and knowing only sign language keeps them from being able to do everything they can.

[ASLElla]

@TeachESL Yes evidently you still dont get it. I hope someday you will. First, do you believe that American Sign Language is a language of EQUAL quality as spoken English? This is something you MUST understand first of all. Then, scientifically, we realize that a natural language MUST have a culture to thrive in. Blind people IF I UNDERSTAND RIGHT (I dont), do not have their own language therefore they dont really have a culture. They share certain EXPERIENCES. Different, see?

[M1M1M1nty]

I am not deaf but I love watching asl poetry! Thank you for posting this

[123nickiv]

Is this originally your poem? I would love to use it, but I only if I could rightfully give credit to the poet and avoid copyright/plagiarism.

[ThisIsMyCuteChannel]

Beautiful! I thoroughly enjoyed the poem! Even the bit before the poem started I was so mesmorized by the beauty that... comes from your hands, your facial expressions, everything! Wow, I could never understand what it's like to be deaf, at least, as long as I'm hearing. But at least I can appreciate the rich culture that you have shared with us hearing people. So great, favourited and liked!

[sarahmagradcsulb]

Very beautiful. When I first started learning ASL, I watched your poems, and Clayton Valli's, over and over... and over again. Thank you. <3

[thedustybuskers]

I was lucky enough to study ASL with Ella at Vista Community College (now Berkeley City College) in the '90s. She was a great teacher! Now I work in the field at the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf & Blind. We love our Deaf students! Thanks Ella :)

[kathyelda]

HI! I am lucky to get to take ASL 4 quarters at Clark College. We saw the Signing Naturally older version of the poem. You have have practiced it well over the years...it is far more moving now. In my class, my teacher showed this version, and I tried hard to not cry. I failed.

It appears I will not get to go to class again the rest of the year because of class time conflict.

If ok, I want to sign your poem for my class this Tuesday. I won't be as fluid, but just as sincere.

[xxpowwowbluexx]

WOW! This is so touching. I see that another viewer almost cried. My eyes were watering as I watched it. I did not expect that to happen! I learned ASL from an older Deaf gentleman who opened up a whole new world to me and immersed me into his. Now it is my world too, part of who I am—even though I am hearing. Thank you so much for this poem!

[cadaeibg]

This is so fantastic. Your recitation of it (is that the right term?) seems so much more nuanced and expressive than spoken poetry. It really makes me want to learn ASL, if only I didn't have too many other things to learn already!

Thanks for sharing this with us.

[watching656]

Thank you for your wonderful poem... It almost made me cried. I am a deaf person too, and I can definitely relate to what you are saying. It also reminded me of when I was little and current things too. Again, thank you. Maybe that's what I wanted to see. Someone that understands our culture, experiences, and deepest feelings.