SimplyMints
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- Sep 4, 2008
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I have a hard time saying this. My mom told me yesterday that she hopes I don't turn out like "other deaf people."
I probably sat there for a long time before I finally thought of something to say. I questioned what she meant by it, and she'd seen a TV show where some deaf people were pro ASL to the point where they came across as anti-hearing. In her view, these people were hateful and disrespectful of American culture, trying to promote a "Deaf culture" separate and uninvolved with American culture.
I had a hard time figuring out how to respond. I was appauled. I finally just told her I'd never become hateful, but she has to understand, it would be easier to be around deaf people, and I admitted that I do plan to learn ASL, but it will not make me hateful. I was born hearing, and there's nothing that can be done to change that fact. I became deaf through no fault of my own, but have accepted it and am happy with the world I've found since losing my hearing. I find nothing hateful about it. Sure there are some hateful deaf people, just as there are hateful people of every kind. It doesn't mean all deaf people are hateful.
I wanted to share this with you so you know how my mom and probably others view us. I was hurt by it because I really love my mother, but I didn't know she was capable of singling me out like that and comparing me with "other deaf people" as if all deaf people are hateful and mean. I didn't know what else to do.
I probably sat there for a long time before I finally thought of something to say. I questioned what she meant by it, and she'd seen a TV show where some deaf people were pro ASL to the point where they came across as anti-hearing. In her view, these people were hateful and disrespectful of American culture, trying to promote a "Deaf culture" separate and uninvolved with American culture.
I had a hard time figuring out how to respond. I was appauled. I finally just told her I'd never become hateful, but she has to understand, it would be easier to be around deaf people, and I admitted that I do plan to learn ASL, but it will not make me hateful. I was born hearing, and there's nothing that can be done to change that fact. I became deaf through no fault of my own, but have accepted it and am happy with the world I've found since losing my hearing. I find nothing hateful about it. Sure there are some hateful deaf people, just as there are hateful people of every kind. It doesn't mean all deaf people are hateful.
I wanted to share this with you so you know how my mom and probably others view us. I was hurt by it because I really love my mother, but I didn't know she was capable of singling me out like that and comparing me with "other deaf people" as if all deaf people are hateful and mean. I didn't know what else to do.