Marginalization – …And the Truth Shall Set You Free.

The Last 48 Hours: Deaf Community Marginalized?

February 6, 2019 The Last HiccupLeave a comment

After I watched State of the Union by #45 in 2019 speech, I have to admit that it was a joke. I mean, come on, it would take someone to have a simple common sense to solve math problem in additional formula. Does Donald Trump understand the solution that would fix the sociological problem in the society?—and I am writing about the lack of Deaf sociological problems in America.

All of Trump’s speech tonight, think about how much the language had been showing—language hegemony in the power of hearing privileges, think about Deaf Studies or the people of the eye we live in for time being when we breathe or die. It is a life and death situation. It is amazing how the literature been going through trials of struggle and trying to betray the language of truth. Which was the smallest minority group of all?

DEAF COMMUNITY. The number 45, it was said to be in the mathematical literature that that number would shift major changes in people’s life. That makes sense. Do not let this new norm to rattle and crumble the Deaf community in lower numbers. When I watched #45’s speech, the key merit to recognize the beginning of literature that allows hearing privileges to hold the power, the hate crime is too bullshit to discuss and why we cannot walk away from this social problem and how can we discuss more about hate crime in our own community: Deaf community?

The actual Issac Newton’s Drawing as a Kid.

The wall is a joke. Let’s discuss about the wall of Deaf community. The metaphor by one of my favorite mathematicians: Sir Isaac Newton: “We build too many walls and not enough bridges.”

Exactly. Where is the bridge between Deaf and hearing community? Too many walls! Why cannot hearing community get along with Deaf community when it should not build too many walls and ignore bridges that should have been prevented? For one, I have always believed in the bias against the Deaf. The Deaf bias has managed to weave itself a very haunting reputation that is extremely difficult to catch and comprehend. When it comes to American Sign Language (ASL), the bias would be laid on the table and then allow itself to be examined, thus becoming easily erased and eradicated.

In my most recent lecture, “Fighting the Fire of Hate: Deaf America in Crisis” last October 2018 held at Busboys and Poets in Washington, DC, it has transformed into a model of its own kind, rich with anecdotes and facts from all the Deaf, from all walks of life, and the laws that lacks the protection of Deaf people, has been missing the facts, and it has missing the most from two parts: ASL and counterpart English.

When we are glued to watch through television, it is so powerful that the trick of political language that matters you the most, challenging in the most of truth of all truth that the biases are often invisible against the Deaf. Where is the betterment of all the Deaf?

When Deaf people are heard around the world and the country, it goes by the ballots in the years and years ahead—and it needs your help. Is there a fundamental right for Deaf person to stand and hold democracy in America? Think about this one, after America, there is no place to go in this vast universe. Although Deaf community like myself, had experienced implicit prejudices and discrimination. America is still a great place to be and live.

The last 48 hours had been making Deaf community difficult to breathe and live with the consequence that had been marginalized, and neglected, the Super Bowl 2019 game: “Deaf, Dumb, and Blind” even if it was a lyric that hurts them the most—and less than five seconds of live coverage of Deaf person signing in ASL on national television, and the history of the State of the Union that always lack the discourses of Deaf Studies in people, literature, and history. All in thrice! We should remember that “Deaf” will be always unparalleled force in our politics. Action does show much the difference. Can we find the next generation of DEAF-CENTERED leaders in our movement?

-JT

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Lack of Accessibility for Deaf-Blind Patients

May 4, 2018May 4, 2018 The Last HiccupLeave a comment

This experience should not happen to any Deaf-Blind patients like that. Policies need to make major changes in hospitals. Deaf-Blind patients should not experience severe oppression. We all should be allies to break the cycle of oppression and advocate Deaf-Blind patients more often.

The Power of Positive Leadership

October 4, 2017 The Last Hiccup1 Comment

When President Cordano wrote a statement:

“President Cordano has decided to place the position of Vice President of Student Affairs and Community Engagement on hold. This will give us the space to engage in a deeper dialogue about what is in the best interest of the community. The ultimate decision about this vice president position will be determined, in large part, by the input gathered from the entire community. A campus-wide email message with a vlog will be issued soon.”

As immediately as I saw the statement, the members of Deaf community at Gallaudet University is increasingly tired of being marginalized including Deaf returning citizens. It is true that Foster auditorium was full house; I would like to thank Bobbi to make right decision that Dwight is not the effective person for the position: Vice President of Student Affairs and Community Engagement.

However, I became puzzled the fact that Dwight Benedict has not been let go of the campus. When Bobbi said in her presentation, “I recognize a lot of pain.”—Where did the “pain” actually come from? Dwight’s policies are so oppressive that he would not able to give someone a chance to breathe for some air. Also, Bobbi’s signed,

Dwight Benedict is a victim of the system”

Hello? How can it be irresponsible excuse? Why did Bobbi need to say that? What’s up with that? Political cover-up? Lack of admitting systematic racism? Lack of institutional racism? Educational oppression?

Whose responsibility is it from the administration system? Should we believe that Dwight is a victim of the administration system? Where is the apology from Dwight himself on the stage what he had done to many survivors? Someone informed me that person has confronted Dwight sitting next to Bobbi in office this morning what he had done, Dwight admitted to the fact he did. Yes, he actually did. What does it mean to you?

Whoa, that was fast! Rome did not built overnight. It takes a lot of unpacking, I mean, the size of the Great Wall of China is so big that would stretch from Washington, D.C. to Wichita, Kansas. That is where Dwight needs to unpack his privileges that much for the last 37 years.

Was it good enough? Will Dwight ever “man up” or own it up what he had done to underprivileged Deaf people of color, Deaf people, and Deaf returning citizens?

I also asked the person if Dwight would happy to start unpacking his white privileges. Dwight gives the surprising answer—you need to guess the answer. If Dwight ever owns up and demand the apology from Gallaudet community, alumnus, and alumni through video without written script, but his own sincere apology, will it ever happen? The motto for state of Kansas: Ad Astra per Aspera which means in Latin, “To the Stars through Difficulties” and the motto for Washington, D.C.: Justia Omnibus which means in Latin, “Justice for All”

Where is the JUSTICE for ALL Deaf survivors who experienced Dwight’s power of oppression? I am asking for his apology including the fact that he did not quickly complete his civil duty when an alumnus faces a life and death situation last November 2016. The silence continues to understand the stars through difficulties for those people. We need to break down the great wall of silence. Not only the apology for I seek for, the apology goes to the survivors for the last 30+ years. Overstayed, overpriced, and overconfident is long due.

All we are asking for a fresh change at Gallaudet in the healthiest environment as possible. We need Justia Ombinus. Positive Leadership. That is the kind of Community Engagement we are looking for.

-JT

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The Rising Tide of EPHPHATHA

February 6, 2017March 6, 2017 The Last HiccupLeave a comment

David Call’s Ephphatha. EPHPHATHA! EPHPHATHAAAA! 2017.

After writing countless blogs about EPHPHATHA for years, I realized that it is also part of hate speech. “Excuse me? What did you say?” Yes, hate speech. The long struggle to give meaning about hate speech has established that freedom of speech and of the press is a fundamental value in American democracy. Do you agree that EPHPHATHA is a paramount value supporting religious bigotry and hate speech at Gallaudet University?

Deaf students have the right to have full protection away from religious violence demanding them that they shall be no longer Deaf is hateful speech. The safeguard of students comes first–not only that, but also the violation of their privacy, too. The case of EPHPHATHA was a ruthless exposure of pursuit of happiness to erase Deaf students’ character. Gallaudet University has no right to publicly scorn, ridicule and contempt as in injuring them at all.

The United States Constitution in the First Amendment, section one, “Freedom of Religion” may be one of the greatest trickery of all time within 14 words, Congress shall make no law…abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press–what does it mean when it comes to EPHPHATHA at Gallaudet University?

Since National Deaf-Mute College created in 1864, EPHPHATHA has been blossomed the invisible mode as a way to connect the world of religious bigotry. But, at the same time, the “welcome” of Deaf students entering into Gallaudet University, has sadly allowed it to become a powerful and virulent problem targeting the pursuit of happiness for Deaf students whom have the right to be Deaf. The word, virulent means a disease of a poison.

The form of hate speech that are directly linked to religious bigotry to create the marginalization and targeting them, to the spread of falsehoods that threaten the generation of Deaf people today and tomorrow. Is that a political polarization, no? Is this a real-world religious bigotry, no? Is it hate speech, no? I could go on…….

PROTECTED CATEGORY= Gallaudet University.

ATTACK=DEAF people.

HATE SPEECH=EPHPHATHA.

EPHPHATHA attempting to make Deaf people hear again, but it is also mocking them–enough! Gallaudet University needs to remove the term of EPHPHATHA–no longer as the gatekeeper of hate speech.

-JT

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