Quote:
Originally Posted by Cheri
I somewhat agrees and I somewhat disagree with his message, don't get me wrong, I do understand where he's coming from and what's he's trying to say, while social events are for the Deaf community usually get together having a good time and chatting their way with their hands in sign language, without having ASL students disturbing them, asking questions about their signs, or the deaf culture.
While I don't have a problem with ASL students come and learn about us (deaf people) because we are the reason for them to learn sign language, because they want to learn to communicate with us, they're interesting in us (deaf people) I don't feel right in my opinion to shut them out and think of myself by having fun with other deaf people. I'm so grateful that they're learning signs and they're so curious about our culture, and it does means so much to me, and that I feel that I owe them their time for questions.
When I go up to Starbucks, there's a get together for the deaf community, I have seen many ASL students there sitting on one and another tables together, I feel bad you know because I feel like the group of deaf people are ignoring them, I don't want to make it look like deaf people are somewhat stuck up, because we are not, we are better than that. Don't you agree? I know what is it like to be left out, and I don't want to put other people in that very same situation. That's just me.
|
I think that it is great that you have the attitude of caring whether others are feeling left out because you have experienced it and know how bad it can make you feel. It shows what a kind heart you have.
I think an informal gathering like a coffee meeting at Starbuck's is a good place for ASL students to attend. Not only is it a public place, but there will be many other hearies around. The thing is, these ASL students, rather than asking the Deaf/deaf patrons for lessons in ASL and Deaf Culture, should simply walk up and introduce themselves and have a conversation with the deaf person. If their ASL skills are not up to par, they will get better by having a conversation, and if they need to be shown a sign, it can be done through informal conversation. When I was first learning, I never asked a Deaf person to show me the sign for anything, but if they noticed me struggling to come up with a sign, or if I fingerspelled something that had a formal sign, they would just show me, and then we could continue the conversation. In that way, the hearing person gets to know the Deaf person one on one, and that is what helps to change the perspective of the deaf person as being different than hearing people in some fundamental way. That way, the students get an advantage they cannot get in the classtoom. They can learn signs and Deaf culture in the classroom to a great extent. But they can only make Deaf/deaf friends by interacting with deaf people. And it is the friendships that develop between deaf and hearing that is the biggest benefit to all. JMO.