Marlee Matlin Responds to an Ignorant Hearing Blogger
The firestorm was ignited when a hearing blogger wondered aloud:Â Â Â
Mo Wants To Know:
Why Was Marlee Matlin At American Idol Last Night?Â
I mean no disrespect to the Oscar-winning deaf actress. She can go anywhere she damn pleases.
But, the thing is … she’s deaf.
_______________________________________________________________
From few excerpts of his follow up blog:Â
Marlee Matlin Responds To My Blog!
Â
Posted May 25th 2007 2:33PM by Mo Rocca
Filed under: American Idol, Marlee Matlin
The firestorm generated by my post and poll regarding Oscar-winning actress Marlee Matlin’s attendance at Tuesday night’s American Idol has culminated with an insightful and inspiring message from none other than Marlee herself. It all started with a message from her interpreter, Jack Jason.
Here’s what he wrote:
Mo. Try and figure this out. Marlee is deaf but her kids are not and they’re fans. She didn’t want her 11 year old daughter going to the show unaccompanied. …….(click the link below this blog for his complete post)
Then I wrote:
First off, Jack, I thank you for taking the time to write. In fact I don’t know any deaf people. And all the comments, including yours, have filled me in on how much I don’t know.
…….
As for the commenters who’ve labeled me the deaf community’s Imus, they’re overreacting. If what people want is an apology, I’ll grant one under only one condition: that I get to deliver to Marlee in person. (I’m a huge fan!)
Oh, and Jack, if you can get Marlee to comment on my blog, I’ll flip. None of the other aol bloggers have gotten comments from even Oscar nominees.
And then came Comment #1 … from Marlee Matlin. See below.
1. Mo – here’s your dream come true. Marlee asked me to pass along this note to you. Feel free to post it.
Mo,
Thanks for making time for Jack. I agree with you; he made some good points. That’s what I pay him for.
Here’s the short version of my thoughts. If this kind of stuff bothered me, I wouldn’t have ever done shows like “Seinfeld” and “My Name is Earl” where they poked fun at being deaf. But that’s what satire and humor is all about. I don’t mind that people wondered why Marlee Matlin was at American Idol. Kathy Griffin even said it to me. She asked “Why are you here? You’re deaf.” And I deadpanned, “Shhh. Don’t tell anyone. I’ve been faking it all this time.” After a few seconds of silence, we broke out laughing and she said she was going to use it in her act. I loved that.
To read the full article, including Marlee’s kind response, click on http://newsbloggers.aol.com/2007/05/25/marlee-matlins-interpreter-responds/#comments
Commentary: Oh, boy, was this blogger clueless? Not only did he but countless readers got a good education 
I knew Marlee Matlin in 1980’s around the time her first film, The Children of Lesser God, came out. I find her a very articulate and pleasant person with a witty sense of humor. Witnessing the harsh criticism and vitriol the Deaf Community dished out against her, especially when she used her voice during the Oscar Awards, was horrible, like watching a train wreck.  Nevertheless, the disappointment and the betrayal the Deaf Community felt back then was understandable.
With Marlee, her ambition back then and still to this day is an actress first and a representative of the Deaf Community the second. For a deaf actress, Marlee Matlin has been very highly accomplished, being in countless movies and tv series. Heck, her track record would be impressive for a hearing actress, too. I am glad to see the younger generation of Deaf Community giving her the recognition she deserves. Regardless of how we feel about Marlee, she is one of the Deaf acting pioneers, exposing hearing world to Deaf people and helping pave the way for other Deaf actors and actresses in Hollywood. MZ
Email contact: Mishkazena@aol.com
Mishkazena (TM)
The firestorm was ignited when a hearing blogger wondered aloud:Â Â Â
Mo Wants To Know:
Why Was Marlee Matlin At American Idol Last Night?Â
I mean no disrespect to the Oscar-winning deaf actress. She can go anywhere she damn pleases.
But, the thing is … she’s deaf.
_______________________________________________________________
From few excerpts of his follow up blog:Â
Marlee Matlin Responds To My Blog!
Â
Posted May 25th 2007 2:33PM by Mo Rocca
Filed under: American Idol, Marlee Matlin
The firestorm generated by my post and poll regarding Oscar-winning actress Marlee Matlin’s attendance at Tuesday night’s American Idol has culminated with an insightful and inspiring message from none other than Marlee herself. It all started with a message from her interpreter, Jack Jason.
Here’s what he wrote:
Mo. Try and figure this out. Marlee is deaf but her kids are not and they’re fans. She didn’t want her 11 year old daughter going to the show unaccompanied. …….(click the link below this blog for his complete post)
Then I wrote:
First off, Jack, I thank you for taking the time to write. In fact I don’t know any deaf people. And all the comments, including yours, have filled me in on how much I don’t know.
…….
As for the commenters who’ve labeled me the deaf community’s Imus, they’re overreacting. If what people want is an apology, I’ll grant one under only one condition: that I get to deliver to Marlee in person. (I’m a huge fan!)
Oh, and Jack, if you can get Marlee to comment on my blog, I’ll flip. None of the other aol bloggers have gotten comments from even Oscar nominees.
And then came Comment #1 … from Marlee Matlin. See below.
1. Mo – here’s your dream come true. Marlee asked me to pass along this note to you. Feel free to post it.
Mo,
Thanks for making time for Jack. I agree with you; he made some good points. That’s what I pay him for.
Here’s the short version of my thoughts. If this kind of stuff bothered me, I wouldn’t have ever done shows like “Seinfeld” and “My Name is Earl” where they poked fun at being deaf. But that’s what satire and humor is all about. I don’t mind that people wondered why Marlee Matlin was at American Idol. Kathy Griffin even said it to me. She asked “Why are you here? You’re deaf.” And I deadpanned, “Shhh. Don’t tell anyone. I’ve been faking it all this time.” After a few seconds of silence, we broke out laughing and she said she was going to use it in her act. I loved that.
To read the full article, including Marlee’s kind response, click on http://newsbloggers.aol.com/2007/05/25/marlee-matlins-interpreter-responds/#comments
Commentary: Oh, boy, was this blogger clueless? Not only did he but countless readers got a good education
I knew Marlee Matlin in 1980’s around the time her first film, The Children of Lesser God, came out. I find her a very articulate and pleasant person with a witty sense of humor. Witnessing the harsh criticism and vitriol the Deaf Community dished out against her, especially when she used her voice during the Oscar Awards, was horrible, like watching a train wreck.  Nevertheless, the disappointment and the betrayal the Deaf Community felt back then was understandable.
With Marlee, her ambition back then and still to this day is an actress first and a representative of the Deaf Community the second. For a deaf actress, Marlee Matlin has been very highly accomplished, being in countless movies and tv series. Heck, her track record would be impressive for a hearing actress, too. I am glad to see the younger generation of Deaf Community giving her the recognition she deserves. Regardless of how we feel about Marlee, she is one of the Deaf acting pioneers, exposing hearing world to Deaf people and helping pave the way for other Deaf actors and actresses in Hollywood. MZ
Email contact: Mishkazena@aol.com
Mishkazena (TM)
May 29th, 2007 at 9:22 am
You go, Marlee!!
I wonder if she’s a Pearl Jam fan? Come on, you know I had to ask!
I’d love to rock out with her at one of the shows.
And other deafies!!
I hate to be the only deaf PJ fan at a concert.
This coming from one of her not-so-cool bashing fans in the past. I had personal issues that I did not take into consideration until much later in life.
I have gained so much respect for her and I think I really deserve a slap in the face from her as a part of her therapy from some personal attacks in the deaf community over the course of years!
I now completely understand where she’s coming from!
I am still so mad for missing her when she was here for the Extreme Home Makeover for a deaf family here in Michigan… that day I just didn’t feel like driving for 45-1 hour!!
And there was Marlee Matlin!!
One of these days, I’ll meet her and apologize to her in person!
I know she probably doesn’t care, but it sure as hell would make me feel better!
Rock on, Marlee!!!
May 29th, 2007 at 9:29 am
I agree with your assesment. Having her out there, whether or not you agree with everything she does, is showing the hearing world that Deaf folks can do anything we can do. And that IS important, because too often we think they can’t, for the wrong reasons.
Dennis
May 29th, 2007 at 10:03 am
I love to watch any musical! not all deaf love music but I do! Marlee has the right to attend! I don’t care what people think of her! I have always respect her since day one!
Gary
May 29th, 2007 at 10:21 am
Marlee invited him to Vancouver where they film the L-Word! OMG – I am a huge fan of the L-word, Marlee and Jennifer Beals. I was going to book a trip this summer until I found out the security around the filming is so tight, I would never even get close to the action. I’ll fawn at your feet and admire your Oscar all day long, MM. Invite me!
May 29th, 2007 at 10:26 am
Thanks, MZ, for bringing this to our attention!
Marlee, you go, girl! Having milk and cookies with an ignoramus who went public with a classic dumb question! There is no better way for an Oscar-quality actress to spread good stuff into the hearing community! From the ripples that went out, it was a brilliant move. You, too, Jack, thanks!
Now, Marlee, if you were to gather all your TV works and sell them on DVDs, please sign me up for an autographed first edition. I keep missing your shows and kicking myself as a result. Plus, I collect DVDs of my favorite TV series shows and watch them over and over again. You’ll be in great company!
Deaf people take their kids to musicfests–did anyone know? Now they do!
May 29th, 2007 at 10:31 am
Marlee Matlin is a beautiful woman.. WOW.. She has a right to be at IDOL. She can go anywhere. She is not only inspired to Deaf people but to diverse people too which means hearing people as well.
I am Deaf and I love music and dancing.. Music is my life. I go to bands two times a month. I dance all the way when the music starts, and I stop to dance when the music ends. One time, my boss said to me, “I can hear your music from seven miles away from your car. ”
Marlee Matlin, You rock girl!
I only wish Marlee Matlin and Jack would respond to my post about my analysis on MM in the documentary film: through Deaf eyes in my vlog. I hope one of them will respond to your post. Smile!
Aidan
May 29th, 2007 at 11:10 am
Marlee Matlin is a truly talented actress. I greatly appreciate the younger generation of the Deaf community for being more receptive to her.
My belief holds it that my identity is as follows:
First, I am Jean. Second, I am deaf — while the identity of some deaf people of the older generation is: “First, I am deaf. Second, I am
John.” That is why I greatly admire the younger
deaf generation (known as “Deaf Generation X”).
May 29th, 2007 at 11:35 am
She’s such an excellent actor, but … when you’re the only one of your kind, you end up having to be all things to all people. Not only is that exhausting, but it’s impossible. And it’s not at all her fault.
There are a lot of brilliant Deaf actors and filmmakers and performers of all stripes. It’s just tough when she has to represent not only herself and her own work, but when people expect her to represent an entire segment of society. No one can do that successfully.
I think it’s the same with all minorities — when there’s more than one, that’s when people can be seen as simply themselves.
Classy, perspicacious woman, all around.
May 29th, 2007 at 12:34 pm
It is obvious that hearing people have respect for Marlee. Also having Jack Jason is a big asset for Marlee, I wonder how people feel when they hear a man’s voice interpreting for Marlee, I just wonder, I also wonder if Jack has a very powerful and articulate voice so they work together very well, his voice and Marlee’s acting. I think this is what makes Marlee a very successful actress.
May 29th, 2007 at 12:56 pm
I adore Marlee…..and I knew her back then before Children came out.
She IS articulate, filled with humor and a warm caring individual. She also loves her Pizza…ha! Am I wrong, Marlee?
Keep it trucking, Girl! You are faboo and you are a good actress, never mind you are deaf.
Love you mucho! xoxo
May 29th, 2007 at 2:01 pm
I have always dream to meet Marlee in person someday. I watched the Children of lesser God (Correct title? I hope so)…
First of all, When I watched this movie when I was a child – I was not sure what it was about until I got older and watch it again, understood what it was all about.
Will I meet Marlee? I’ll put it on my wishlist
May 29th, 2007 at 3:23 pm
I can’t say enough good things about how wonderful an actress Marlee Matlin is!! For goodness sakes,..she can go where ever she wants to go for her own reasons!!
Mo,..the blogger,..ought to come to my house when my son has a party!! The whole place quakes and shakes with what he and his friends call..”music” and his dad and I just love it!!
Son explains to his hearing friends that my husband and I can hear the music through our feet! We roll back the rugs on our wooden floors and “shake,..rattle,..and roll” right along with the kids!!
May 29th, 2007 at 6:31 pm
Go Marlee…:) Heck, I’m Deaf and I LOVE American Idol.
May 29th, 2007 at 7:36 pm
Believe it or not, I’ve seen very few deaf people who go to rock concerts!
I’m deaf, I once had an interviewed with a rock star who formed *NSYNC about his new band and watched his show. Awesome night.
I used to watch American Idol in early days but have stopped watched it nowdays.
May 29th, 2007 at 10:08 pm
Sigh, people can be so ignorant! I am glad that Marlee and Jack Jason was able to educate this person and he seemed open minded and receptive.
Remember the movie, Mr. Holland’s Opus where he realizes that deaf can enjoy music and he finds ways to make music more visual, isn’t that right? I haven’t seen that movie in years.
May 29th, 2007 at 10:32 pm
Mo is so naive I guess. He has alot to learn! I watched the American Idol once with my Deaf friends. Not bad but It is not my thing. Deaf and HH can enjoy watching the show if they like to!
May 29th, 2007 at 11:45 pm
I’m deaf and have been an American Idol fan from the beginning. I was jumping up and down when I saw Marlee and her interpreter behind the judges on the final night! It was soooo cool! It was like by being there she validated that deaf people can enjoy all kinds of entertainment. I loved her humorous response to that other person who asked her at the theater why she was there if she couldn’t hear. She teased that she was “just faking it” (being deaf). She has a great sense of humor.
~ LaRonda
~ LaRonda
May 30th, 2007 at 12:18 am
Its simple. Mo Rocca is an asshole.
May 30th, 2007 at 8:54 am
MZ, thank you for the interesting blog about that talented MM.
I completely agree with you that the Deaf community should be more supportive of talented deaf people.
Deaf people should learn to praise talented deaf people no matter what background they came from.
Well, crab theory is too powerful in the Deaf community and will stay for a long time, sad.
Thank you again, MZ.
May 30th, 2007 at 8:59 am
For me this is a tough evaluation and takes considerable courage on my part,..but I agree with Conor,..who has the courage to say what i’ve been feeling all along.
May 30th, 2007 at 3:32 pm
I think Mo was truly ignorant. In my opinion, he didn’t come across as arrogant, condescending, or anything like that, but more like puzzled. But, yes, I can understand why some people weren’t pleased with him cuz those comments he made were idiotic.
May 31st, 2007 at 8:24 am
Ignorance: The condition of being uneducated, unaware, or uninformed.===
How many would have thought that, but not asked, and therefore not have learned?
June 7th, 2007 at 6:55 am
Ignorant! Nothing else to say to this person.
In Italy we using say: “La madre degli ignoranti è sempre incinta” in English it can be translate: “The mother of ignorant people is always pregnant” …