Healthy Questions Not Tolerated in the Deaf Community?
I am disturbed by the personal attacks Amy Cohen Efron received for asking a question “Will this Presentation help hearing parents of deaf babies and children understand the situation better?” ‘in her vlog DEAF WORLD AS EYE SEE IT » A Question for DBC and Deaf Community. Several commenters claimed that Ms Efron is engaging in a personal vendetta against one specific organization
Whoa. Wait a minute. What’s wrong with a Deaf person asking a good question and encouraging a healthy and constructive discussion with the Deaf Community? I am dismayed to see the negative reactions.
Newspaper reporters and everyday citizens are constantly asking questions and discussing different views of topics. None of them are penalized for these questions as this is a part of the democratic America. The impression left by some angry commenters in Amy’s vlog indicate that these questions are discouraged and anyone who dares to bring up questions will encounter negative repercussions.
How can we aim for a healthy and democratic Deaf Community if we are not allowed to raise questions and discuss different issues without being attacked? Since when is a topic a ’taboo’? This kind of negative approach promotes unhealthy fear and oppression in the Deaf Community. Is that where we want to head toward? Negative attacks on interested Deaf individuals for asking thoughtful questions should not be condoned.
Last Fall, I was approached by a NAD official who thanked me for my multiple coverage of NAD in my blog. The coverage helped NAD to feel the pulse of the Deaf Community as they needed the feedback, both the positives and negatives. I was pleased with the professionalism of this NAD official. NAD remains professional to this day, even when several people recently raised questions about NAD Law Center and NAD’s priorities. My opinion of NAD and its law center continues to be high to this day, partly due to its professionalism. They encourage its Deaf constituents to reach out and ask questions so we all can work together in Deaf unity.
For many years, Gallaudet discouraged the climate of healthy discourse and democracy. This oppressive atmosphere contributed to two massive protests conducted by its stakeholders, the last one only two years ago. In the latest newspaper articles, Davila emphasizes that transparency and inclusion of Gallaudet Community will be essential to the new presidential search. Davila and Gallaudet University recognize the value of a vibrant and democratic Deaf Community, just like NAD does.
I am hopeful that the Deaf Community will recognize the importance of an open and healthy dialogue without attacks on the individuals.
Please do not go off on a tangent about whether DBC is using the right tactics or not. That’s not the issue here. The issue is the freedom to raise questions and explore topics without being attacked. Any posts not addressing to this particular topic constructively will be deleted. Again if you have questions, my e mail address is mishkazena@aol.com Thanks MZ
I am disturbed by the personal attacks Amy Cohen Efron received for asking a question “Will this Presentation help hearing parents of deaf babies and children understand the situation better?” ‘in her vlog DEAF WORLD AS EYE SEE IT » A Question for DBC and Deaf Community. Several commenters claimed that Ms Efron is engaging in a personal vendetta against one specific organization
Whoa. Wait a minute. What’s wrong with a Deaf person asking a good question and encouraging a healthy and constructive discussion with the Deaf Community? I am dismayed to see the negative reactions.
Newspaper reporters and everyday citizens are constantly asking questions and discussing different views of topics. None of them are penalized for these questions as this is a part of the democratic America. The impression left by some angry commenters in Amy’s vlog indicate that these questions are discouraged and anyone who dares to bring up questions will encounter negative repercussions.
How can we aim for a healthy and democratic Deaf Community if we are not allowed to raise questions and discuss different issues without being attacked? Since when is a topic a ’taboo’? This kind of negative approach promotes unhealthy fear and oppression in the Deaf Community. Is that where we want to head toward? Negative attacks on interested Deaf individuals for asking thoughtful questions should not be condoned.
Last Fall, I was approached by a NAD official who thanked me for my multiple coverage of NAD in my blog. The coverage helped NAD to feel the pulse of the Deaf Community as they needed the feedback, both the positives and negatives. I was pleased with the professionalism of this NAD official. NAD remains professional to this day, even when several people recently raised questions about NAD Law Center and NAD’s priorities. My opinion of NAD and its law center continues to be high to this day, partly due to its professionalism. They encourage its Deaf constituents to reach out and ask questions so we all can work together in Deaf unity.
For many years, Gallaudet discouraged the climate of healthy discourse and democracy. This oppressive atmosphere contributed to two massive protests conducted by its stakeholders, the last one only two years ago. In the latest newspaper articles, Davila emphasizes that transparency and inclusion of Gallaudet Community will be essential to the new presidential search. Davila and Gallaudet University recognize the value of a vibrant and democratic Deaf Community, just like NAD does.
I am hopeful that the Deaf Community will recognize the importance of an open and healthy dialogue without attacks on the individuals.
Please do not go off on a tangent about whether DBC is using the right tactics or not. That’s not the issue here. The issue is the freedom to raise questions and explore topics without being attacked. Any posts not addressing to this particular topic constructively will be deleted. Again if you have questions, my e mail address is mishkazena@aol.com Thanks MZ
October 24th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Amy,
I feel sad when I saw your blog/vlog are just basic of spread the words. I know how much it hard on Amy. she is efforting to tell vlog/blog people in deafread.com are very wonderful.
One thing It is not necesssary to attack on blog. It is not necessary to prank or revenage or attack is consider of violent. I am really fond of Amy is one most admired in my touch. Keep her chin.
She simple to educated the blog/vlog. I feel sad about silly or attack is not the healthy way they treated her, In some way in bad or good side.
It need to stop abuse on blog/vlog.
Some of my comment to Ridor I agree with him in some and something other his issues I don’t agree and I dont need to attack him. RESPECT.
Be nice to Amy Cohen Efron. Listen in your heart.
Hugs,
Deaf Pixie
October 24th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
I do not have much time to compose my thoughts on your blog.
i already left my comments on Amy Cohen Efron regarding the DBC’s latest blog statement.
We sometimes need the real controvesty to raise such awareness on any issues, including Dan Roweskeri, CAD president’s presentation.
Sadly, the reality of many journalists often face death or threats and systematic blackballings because they ask tough questions or do the reportings to expose such unpleasant occurrence or incident, etc.
I will write a blog posting on the increasingly attacks and threats against journalists for being courageous and gutsy this weekend if I have some time.
RLM
October 24th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
I forget to add” Thank you, Misha for getting my attention in regard to the ongoing controvesty.
Keep up the good work, Misha Zena!
RLM
October 24th, 2008 at 11:07 pm
PAH MZ!!! About time!!! {seesmic_video:{“url_thumbnail”:{“value”:”http://t.seesmic.com/thumbnail/T9T2i6ejM2_th1.jpg”}”title”:{“value”:”PAH MZ!!! About time!!! ”}”videoUri”:{“value”:”http://www.seesmic.com/video/SDhN5YixsM”}}}
October 24th, 2008 at 11:09 pm
MZ???? {seesmic_video:{“url_thumbnail”:{“value”:”http://t.seesmic.com/thumbnail/94OxrFI9sQ_th1.jpg”}”title”:{“value”:”MZ???? ”}”videoUri”:{“value”:”http://www.seesmic.com/video/tqTRSI38WX”}}}
October 24th, 2008 at 11:20 pm
Oh MZ, I forgot to add something. {seesmic_video:{“url_thumbnail”:{“value”:”http://t.seesmic.com/thumbnail/JfRvjKP13n_th1.jpg”}”title”:{“value”:”Oh MZ, I forgot to add something. ”}”videoUri”:{“value”:”http://www.seesmic.com/video/b2TPs1qM7X”}}}
October 25th, 2008 at 2:26 am
One positive question would not be a problem. What is disturbing is the history of critical negative questioning and subsequent support of all the negativity, including that which, conveniently, comes from you.
This is especially disturbing because ypu and Amy control the major aggregator for the Deaf, so have a responsibility to the community to help build your own constructive organizations, not tear other organizations down.
Why not leave DBC alone? Let it stand or fall on its own? DBC seems to be moving forward now. Amy should move forward, too.
Move on, please. Not just Amy, but you, too.
October 25th, 2008 at 9:32 am
Good morning MZ and DeafDeaf!!!! {seesmic_video:{“url_thumbnail”:{“value”:”http://t.seesmic.com/thumbnail/8d5UVw2brr_th1.jpg”}”title”:{“value”:”Good morning MZ and DeafDeaf!!!! ”}”videoUri”:{“value”:”http://www.seesmic.com/video/zv5h6BMErL”}}}
October 25th, 2008 at 10:05 am
There seems to be some confusion here. Apparently some people confuse healthy questions as critical questions. I’ve asked for clarifications last summer and was promptly attacked, much to my amazement. The second request for clarifications resulted in more negative attacks on me. That’s when I started to detect a pattern. Anybody who brings up questions that the organization doesn’t welcome will be attacked and their character maligned. I have no problem with any organization as long as they are transparent with their Deaf stakeholders. This organization finally acknowledged the role of deafhood and I thanked them.
It puzzles me to see an organization feeling threatened by healthy questions and healthy debates, perceiving them critical. Any organization is subjected to public comments. A smart organization would keep an active and healthy dialogue with its community. Gallaudet, NTID/RIT, NAD and other organizations face healthy questions routinely and they don’t attack others who raise questions, but it appears that this organization wants to be different, not welcoming any questions. Again this points out one big question: Does this organization want a healthy community or not?
I’ve been a blogger long before I became a DeafRead editor and I keep my hats completely separated. All bloggers and vloggers, deaf and Deaf, oral, ASL, cued, c.i., strong Deaf, moderate Deaf, are treated equally while I am wearing the DeafRead editor, with no personal bias coming from me. I am actually very particular about bloggers and vloggers receiving same responses, following the guidelines of DR strictly, since I am an strong believer in freedom of press and speech.
However, when I am a blogger, I wear a different hat. These two hats do not overlap at all. For many people, it’s not an easy task. With me, I have no problem juggling as I am used to wearing different hats.
Again I am sorry some sees healthy questions as ‘negative’ or ‘critical’. Healthy questions promote analysis and exploration of different angles of specific topics within its community, especially as diverse as Deaf Community. There will be healthy agreements and disagreements. These are not destructive, contrary to what you may think, unless the organization doesn’t want a healthy discussion at all. Since last summer I do get the distinct impression this organization discourages its community from asking constructive questions and discussing ideas, etc. If so, that’s very unfortunate. I sincerely hope my impression is wrong.
Personally I think this organization has a lot of potential, which I’ve always acknowledged from the beginning. The original concept is wonderful and it grew explosively the first year, which is downright impressive. I would recommend this organization not to see questions as threats, but good opportunities to educate the community and share its views. It is normal to encounter different opinions, but that doesn’t indicate that people want to see this organization go down the tubes, except those who are against the use of ASL with deaf babies and children, like AGB and some audists. As far as I know, everybody here support the use of ASL with deaf babies and children.
October 25th, 2008 at 10:46 am
Hi Shawn
You are the very first one to use the video comment
I don’t know how to include plugins, hence the reason why there were none in the past, even though I wanted video comments. However, with the new wordpress revision, the plugin can be added with only one link, something I can do easily. Presto! Now I feel better.
October 25th, 2008 at 11:32 am
A healthy question is one to which you do not already “know” the answer.
Do you think that Amy’s answer to her own question even MIGHT be “yes”?
Or is this just a literary device to soften another statement of her own opinion?
You and she share a history of disagreeing with the DBC’s way of doing things to the point of having publically quit and gone on to repeatedly denounce their leadership, often by asking questions to which you already “know” the answer.
Criticisms now, even those disguised as questions are unlikely ever again to be taken as intended to be helpful, given the source.
Move on.
October 25th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
MZ,
So, you’re saying that people are actually taking some questions to be critical questions? Healthy questions and critical questions? Ya, know, questions are mean to make people think and there is no such thing that a question would be healthy for all and critical for all, because we all take questions to mean differently. What may be healthy for one might not be healthy for another.
pfft…please.
The mindset of many deaf people and trust me, it happens a lot out there in the mainstream as well is lack of the ability to hold a discussion cordially.
Too many demands made by those who want to control a community. Come’on…let the questions flow and let the discussions be intelligent!
As with DBC and the discussions surrounding it, the reason why it is still HOT is because many of the questions many had last summer was never answered. I mean, DBC was quiet. And, when they did talk about it at their blog, there was no room for feedbacks. It’s like, here it is and say no more. Take our word for it and shoo away.
So, for Amy to have posed that question, was good. I don’t care if it’s fighting fire with fire.
October 25th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Mishka…
Everytime anybody who made a vlog or blog to ask the questions or tell what is going on with DBC, DBC and/or DBC defenders would get back at them in harsh way without answering any questions. It is not a good move on their part. I’m deeply disappointed in them. Also, I’m angry as well. They haven’t learned anything how to approach with civilized manners. If they answer the questions with civilized manners, things would have gone into other direction differently in the positive way.
To RLM….
Please try to spell Mishka’s name correctly since you mistyped her name, Misha which really belongs to me. Or you can type MZ, either way is ok. I tend to answer to my nickname, Misha quickly, LOL! I was thisclose to reply but realized that you meant Mishka, not me.
Misha
October 25th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
Candy, thank you. It boggles my mind that discussions are not ‘permitted’, too.
October 25th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
“A healthy question is one to which you do not already “know” the answer.”
Really? I am sure countless teachers, lawyers, and countless others disagree with you. It’s a very common practice to raise questions to encourage an audience to discuss and explore issues. The more information the person has, the better and easier the discussions flow.
By the way, you provided erroneous information which I need to correct. I resigned from DBC last fall. Regardless, I’ve remained on good terms with the core leaders afterwards until I raised questions regarding specific issues mentioned during the national conference last June. My questions were legitimate, as these issues weren’t covered in their website nor in their mission statement. That’s when the attacks began as they apparently didn’t appreciate the questions I asked. I still wonder to this day why they brought up these issues in the first place if they didn’t want to discuss them. I would think they will be more than happy to expand on these issues. The whole thing continues to be so bizarre
If our discussions are insignificant, why are we being attacked, right and left? I am sorry to see an organization condoning attacks on people who would like to explore different views and topics.
Remember, the whole world is watching our words and conduct here on the Internet. They can see for themselves how oppressive an organization is, using attacks and intimidation to stifle healthy and constructive discourse in the Deaf Community. Is that what hearing parents want for their Deaf children and babies? You decide.
I would hope that the organization reconsiders its approach regarding the value of healthy and constructive dialogues within the Deaf Community instead of assuming everybody has an ulterior motive or agenda to destroy its organization. How can we move on and focus on advocacy and empowerment of Deaf people, including educating hearing parents of deaf babies/children the value of ASL?
Have a great weekend.
October 25th, 2008 at 8:09 pm
Misha, I agree. It’s very unfortunate that discussions of diverse ideas aren’t tolerated by some people. I myself enjoy reading about different perspectives. Otherwise how do we learn from each other?
October 26th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
no need to continue whining.
no need to continue behaving like a victim.
move on and grow up.
October 26th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Like I said on Amy’s blog, everything has its beauty but not everyone sees it. Off target it went when Amy asked DBC and the Deaf community. It was done in a course that the commenters took Ray’s moving presentation into a tone not intended. I was clarifying the situation when Ray signed on behalf of the CAD during the Day of ASL Celebration.
It is sad to see how it has come to this level. This is not about specific individuals, but how some (or should I say most) commenters have no understanding about why DBC serves as the front for the majority of hearing parents and hearing people in general. We need to understand there are many, many, many people who do not see the beauty side of how ASL will improve the ability to learn English language far better than other communication choices. These people (even some Deaf people who have no conception of ASL) are doing more harm than good to parents who do not know all the facts about ASL and Deaf education. They are being misguided which ruins the beauty of making the best decisions for Deaf babies. Bilingualism is not yet well publicized. Clinical programs are on the rise. Great deals of misleading intervention materials are leading parents on. Answers to such question provide insights into what we understand, and what we do not understand. Implants for Deaf children are fast becoming commonplace, if not the norm, as they have been demonstrated consistently to contribute to language development and academic achievement. DBC shares the findings of the benefits of bilingualism, and to encourage parents and members of the public to learn more about the truth.
Again, I ask for the sake of Deaf babies and children, preserving ASL and our visual/manual communication world, we get to the task of exposing ourselves as staunch advocates ensuring that all Deaf babies and children do succeed and thrive though early and strong acquisition of ASL. Give our Deaf babies/children the value of ASL – the very right of a language.
October 27th, 2008 at 9:52 am
It is sad that discussions of diverse ideas are not tolerated by some people. As far as I am concerned,..different perspectives DO make the world go round!! My only gripe against those,..who view the world with a different prospective than mine,..is when those folks don’t stop and consider the fact that any question which will improve services to the Hearing parents of deaf children…is a service to all Deaf and deaf people. there is a little thing called learning a language and placing the tools necessary in a child’s mind to learn a language and placing those tools EARLY enough in a child’s mind so that the child can become fleunt or semi-fleunt in both English and just about any form of signed language. A Deaf or deaf child has to bridge two different worlds and NEEDS language skills to make the necessary jumps in life between the Deaf World and the Hearing World..successfully!! My advice?
….”Don’t question the questions. Question the problems!!”
And uninformed Hearing Parents are STILL producing linguistically challenged deaf children in this day and age,..thirty years after it became illegal to place Deaf and deaf children in mental institutions for the mentally retarded and mentally challenged..just because those children were deaf!
Stanelle ares at the human bites on the backs of my hands that were placed there by deaf children,..who didn’t even know that they had a name.
I used to teach such children and the only infighting involved in that was teaching the child to sit still long enough so that you could show said child how to make a sign and give that sign meaning..before the kid took a chunk out of you with his or her teeth!!
Fighting over quibly little things won’t keep the “big bad wolf” of hearing ignorance about the Deaf and deaf at bay!! There are still hearing out there who call ME a DUMMY because of their ignorance..just because I can’t hear,…and I do public speaking vocally and do it quite well!!!!
October 27th, 2008 at 9:55 am
To Anonymous, when you have something constructive to comment, I’ll print it. However, I want to show others an example of your tactic:
“A teacher? A lawyer? Is that how you see yourself and your role in this v/blog? Somehow over us and instructing us by asking leading questions?”
Please do indicate where in this post I said I am above you and instructing you? Oh, that’s right. You won’t because I never said that.
This kind of questions may reflect the insecurity you may be experiencing. This may explain why this organization cannot handle the healthy discussions of the Deaf Community, feeling threatened by the questions and different POVs of a richly diverse community.
How do you like when I use your tactic on you? This is not productive and I am not interested in playing your game.
October 27th, 2008 at 10:11 am
Tina Jo, Your feedback is constructive, unlike Anonymous. Sherri explained to Amy that the written transcript didn’t do the ASL version any justice. This kind of feedback is productive and we learn from each other. If we don’t explore the issues from different POVs, how can we learn?
What’s being done with the hearing parents of deaf babies/children is a serious travesty. I agree with you that the beauty of ASL is unrecognized by the majority of hearing parents and maligned unfairly by the oral deaf educators, speech therapists, audiologists, and the majority of doctors, at the expense of most deaf kids. I think it will make a great story for the reporters to cover: the long history of deception by the oral deaf education.
October 28th, 2008 at 1:18 am
> “A healthy question is one to which you do
> not already “know” the answer.”
> Really? I am sure countless teachers, lawyers,
> and countless others disagree with you. It’s
> a very common practice to raise questions to
> encourage an audience to discuss and explore
> issues.
Let me try again…
Teachers may ask questions to promote discussion, but the questions that ACTUALLY promote discussion are those to which the answer is not already known. Since Amy asked a yes/no question, let’s look at two statements here:
ACE agrees that Richard Ray’s Presentation will help hearing parents of deaf babies and children understand the situation better.
and
ACE DISagrees that Richard Ray’s Presentation will help hearing parents of deaf babies and children understand the situation better.
Which do you think is true?
Pretty much narrows the scope of inquiry to a decision process of whether or not what the DBC did was right, no?
As for lawyers, well there, such a leading question is appropriate! Of course lawyers want to STOP anything but inquiry along their favored lines! As such, this question is quite effective.
No attacks intended here. HONEST inquiry happening here. How SHOULD Amy’s motivation be evaluated? Based on past dealings with the DBC? That would favor the “lawyer-like” leading question interpretation of her motivation, right?
I guess I can understand your defending your friend, but still feel that she is “guilty” here of her own worst criticism of the DBC. That they suffer from REALLY poor marketing.
October 28th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Anonymous, thank you for trying again. I appreciate it.
Your question is valid. However, unlike you, I see it differently. A yes/no approach doesn’t still elicit an one-sided answer as this question was directed toward DBC and Deaf Community, meaning people could have responded affirmatively, too. People who agrees with the tactic can explain, so others can understand better. Some people may not agree, but that’s ok. There will always be disagreements in a community as diverse as ours, but the most important thing is to understand the rationales. For myself, I like hearing different perspectives of an issue, to help me gain better understanding. Like everybody else, I am still learning. This analogy is something some people in the Deaf Community feels strongly which I can understand.
It’s not a matter of wanting to defend my friend or not. It’s about the freedom of exploring different topics without being attacked or criticized at a personal level. I would feel the same way with other Deaf or deaf b/vloggers, regardless of my personal feelings for them.
I would recommend that this organization keep an open mind about questions and address to the topic rather than the person. Instead of assuming the questions are designed to disintegrate the organization, seize the questions as wonderful opportunities to educate the Deaf Community. Sheri explained that the transcript version didn’t do the ASL version justice. That was very helpful. I wish there is a vlog showing Ray with that presentation as I would love to see the ASL version.
I would also gently suggest to the organization to develop a thick skin. There will always be questions, agreements, and disagreements. The members, including the leaders, are encouraged to stand strong for their beliefs and explain their positions, while respecting the diversity of the Deaf Community. Keep the big picture in mind, but refrain from personal attacks as that doesn’t reflect well on the organization and its members. Feel free to take my suggestions or not. We all are different and can learn from each other. We may not agree with all, but it helps us to understand better and also look at some things differently.
Peace
October 29th, 2008 at 4:27 am
I think Amy really asked a healthy question. She has rights to ask it but nobody has rights to attack. It gets too old with those personal attacks in the blogs and vlogs already… when will they ever learn to stop?
I dare say that Richard rather used poor or inappropriate comparison (9/11). He (and core members) need to realize that DBC needs to improve their better marketing approach/practice in order to be more effective reaching hearing parents of deaf children to understand why visual language should be their “automatic” language, name it ASL given available in the USA.
Amy and MZ happened to be the few ones leaving DBC on their terms. Did they support ASL for the babies despite leaving DBC? Yes, they do in case those attackers didn’t realize or overlooked! They just disagreed with their strategies, and that I agreed with their reasons. Yet please believe that most of them including me hope that DBC needs to realize big time especially on their marketing approach and the same for those DBC supporters need to increase their perspectives, too.
At last, healthy questions are good for its own reasons, like it or not. That is what debates are for. Attacking never solves, imo!
October 31st, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Alexa, acting like a victim? On the contrary, I refused to be victimized. This is the reason I’m covering this as I don’t tolerate attacks on people who want to bring up different topics for the Deaf Community to discuss. Apparently you have no problem with an oppressive Deaf organization trying to silence others by attacking them. If so, that says a lot about you. What’s wrong with healthy discussions? We don’t live in a Communist country, for heaven’s sake!
Perhaps you should think about why a Deaf organization is afraid of healthy questions and dialogues?