Appreciate the gifts you're given!

Transcript:

(Showing vase) That was a gift for my wedding. I can't remember who gave it to us, but it was a gift. My wife and I cherish that present. We don't put it carelessly in some place and leave it, we put it in a safe space -- in that china cabinet behind me. A place of honor, where we can look at it and let it bring back memories. My mom tends to say I never learned proper social etiquette. I don't know if she's right or not, but one thing I do understand: When someone gives you a gift, you don't take it and say "This looks cheap. Where did you get it?" "I don't think this is very good" and comment in that vein, or comment about the gift to other people who might report back to the original gift giver. You don't want to hurt that person's feelings, right?

In 1913, George Veditz referred to ASL as "the noblest gift God has given to Deaf people". He was right! ASL IS a gift. Without that gift, I wouldn't be here. I don't know where I would be, but definitely not here, and not successful. It took me a long time to realize that ASL is a gift, and now I appreciate it and treasure it.

But I see people out there who mock and belittle ASL, who say SEE is better, who actively HOPE that SEE signs will spread, and they think that SEE should spread and they encourage that spread. Or worse, they say that SEE IS ASL! What ridiculousness! Or they talk negatively about Deaf people who try to preserve ASL, ridiculing them as "Deaf Culture Police" or "ASL Purists" and the like.

I don't care if you yourself are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or a parent of a Deaf child. When YOU belittle or insult ASL, when YOU promote SEE, or ridicule people who try to support and promote the improvement of ASL, when YOU spread any kind of linguicism against ASL, YOU are spitting in the face of those Deaf people who gave YOU the gift of ASL. And worse, you are spitting in the face of those Deaf people who came before you who cherished, supported, and passed on ASL so YOU could have that gift, too.

ASL IS A GIFT! CHERISH IT!

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People & Blogs

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• ASLGift

[kahless202]

Thank you!!! Thank you!!!

[darthsordus]

Thank you Don G for your passionate defense of our beautiful ASL! Please keep it up!

R

[pdurr]

aw - u keep giving us gifts of great QUOTES and using them in contemporary context - TU

interesting that the first part of the quote from Veditz is "I hope you will cherish and defend our beautiful sign language... "

many folks only pay attention to the last part which is very affirming but not the FULL sentence which i have always interpreted as a rally call. we cant just say its great and kiss-fist it - we must CHERISH, HONOR and DEFEND IT. ya know like the oppose 2072 folks!

peace

p

[Banerika]

Right on!