A Culture In Silence
(Rourke, 2010)
Before sign language was considered a language, deaf individuals had to pull together to communicate with one another. When hearing individuals wouldn’t give them the chance, they had to find a way to support each other. Homemade signs were invented before ASL ever came around, as a form of communication and endearment. These deaf individuals soon created a close knit community where they could talk to one another about the hardships they faced. In the deaf community individuals come together as one and create a unique society of people who truly care for one another (Christensen & Delgado, 1993).
Unlike our hearing culture where individuality is respected, group identity is more important in deaf culture. Deaf individuals don’t need to be “unique” to one another, because they are already considered unique to the rest of the world. The community they create is one in which they respect one another and pass on a sense of self pride instead of self-pity (Bienvenu, 1994).
In the deaf community, deafness is not considered a disability, instead it is looked upon as a way of learning and living and transmitting a culture (Christensen & Delgado, 1993). Deaf parents teach their deaf children about this way of life. Deaf students reach out to other deaf students and invite them into this community. It is filled with humor and enjoyment of life, with no mention of disability except in the form of a joke (Bienvenu, 1994)
The most important aspect of deaf community is that everyone fits in and is accepting. There are no outsiders who don’t understand the “deaf way” instead everyone knows the trials and tribulations of being deaf because they have all lived it. They teach us a message about accepting what is given to you in life and making the most of it. Being deaf is NOT a disability, in fact to some in this community, it’s even a blessing. The ability to live amongst others who truly love you and respect you is one most peoples greatest wishes. According to Bienvenu, “Deafness is a complete culture, where one’s decibel loss is much less important than one’s allegiance to the Deaf community” (1994, p. 19)
Unlike our hearing culture where individuality is respected, group identity is more important in deaf culture. Deaf individuals don’t need to be “unique” to one another, because they are already considered unique to the rest of the world. The community they create is one in which they respect one another and pass on a sense of self pride instead of self-pity (Bienvenu, 1994).
In the deaf community, deafness is not considered a disability, instead it is looked upon as a way of learning and living and transmitting a culture (Christensen & Delgado, 1993). Deaf parents teach their deaf children about this way of life. Deaf students reach out to other deaf students and invite them into this community. It is filled with humor and enjoyment of life, with no mention of disability except in the form of a joke (Bienvenu, 1994)
The most important aspect of deaf community is that everyone fits in and is accepting. There are no outsiders who don’t understand the “deaf way” instead everyone knows the trials and tribulations of being deaf because they have all lived it. They teach us a message about accepting what is given to you in life and making the most of it. Being deaf is NOT a disability, in fact to some in this community, it’s even a blessing. The ability to live amongst others who truly love you and respect you is one most peoples greatest wishes. According to Bienvenu, “Deafness is a complete culture, where one’s decibel loss is much less important than one’s allegiance to the Deaf community” (1994, p. 19)