MTVU Gally: Culturally Deaf Students Excluded?
Here is the link to the first episode of MTVU’s Gally mini series! The show is pretty short, but overall it seems a very positive episode. Now the public understands a little better how some deaf students feel in hearing schools and their frustrations with limitations of oral communication and attitudinal barriers. They get to see for themselves why so many deaf students love Gallaudet: a sense of belonging and a place where there are no or minimal communication barriers. The glows in the cast members’ eyes and contentednesses in their faces are evident. Gallaudet and the Deaf Community always need positive coverage of deaf people. As of now, MTVU is providing that. This is a big plus for Gallaudet, increasing interest in Gallaudet, Deaf Culture, and ASL. Very likely this will help increase the enrollment rates in the incoming years.
But. A big but. I would prefer at least one or two, preferably at least two, culturally Deaf ASL-using students be a part of the cast, though. This way the viewers can see a fair representation of Gallaudet. Even though I had a similar background like some of these students, having gone to hearing schools and not learning sign language until I went to Gallaudet, I feel it isn’t right that no culturally Deaf ASL-using students (those having spent the majority of their education at deaf schools or/and from deaf families) are selected, seeing that Gally has a good number of culturally deaf students. This is one of Gallaudet’s highest selling points. Many students are attracted to Gallaudet due to its unique basition of ASL and Deaf Culture. I feel bad that the traditionally culturally deaf students are excluded. This is my honest feeling.
http://www.mtvu.com/shows/shows-featured-content/quiet-campus-episode-1/
Here is the link to the first episode of MTVU’s Gally mini series! The show is pretty short, but overall it seems a very positive episode. Now the public understands a little better how some deaf students feel in hearing schools and their frustrations with limitations of oral communication and attitudinal barriers. They get to see for themselves why so many deaf students love Gallaudet: a sense of belonging and a place where there are no or minimal communication barriers. The glows in the cast members’ eyes and contentednesses in their faces are evident. Gallaudet and the Deaf Community always need positive coverage of deaf people. As of now, MTVU is providing that. This is a big plus for Gallaudet, increasing interest in Gallaudet, Deaf Culture, and ASL. Very likely this will help increase the enrollment rates in the incoming years.
But. A big but. I would prefer at least one or two, preferably at least two, culturally Deaf ASL-using students be a part of the cast, though. This way the viewers can see a fair representation of Gallaudet. Even though I had a similar background like some of these students, having gone to hearing schools and not learning sign language until I went to Gallaudet, I feel it isn’t right that no culturally Deaf ASL-using students (those having spent the majority of their education at deaf schools or/and from deaf families) are selected, seeing that Gally has a good number of culturally deaf students. This is one of Gallaudet’s highest selling points. Many students are attracted to Gallaudet due to its unique basition of ASL and Deaf Culture. I feel bad that the traditionally culturally deaf students are excluded. This is my honest feeling.
http://www.mtvu.com/shows/show
October 24th, 2011 at 1:22 pm
After watching that video, that made me go “HUH??” All of them had gone to mainstream schools, not even a single true Deaf who went to Deaf School. When that girl (forgot her name) has already turned me off completely because she said she’s deaf BUT with splashes of hearing. WTF is that term?!? UGH! Her attitude reeks of superior or something like that. I like two guys, black guy and gay guy. That white jock guy….too common and run of mill product of mainstream kid. Bleh….
I agree that we should have at least TWO culturally Deaf kids in there.
Misha
October 24th, 2011 at 4:11 pm
I agree. This was a thought that came to me as I watched it as well.
October 24th, 2011 at 5:29 pm
You said it all, for I, too, found something missing in the video. It is the balance of diversity that is sorely lacking.
October 24th, 2011 at 6:41 pm
many thanks for this! stole this
October 24th, 2011 at 8:01 pm
It’s unfortunately true that most of the Gallaudet student body aren’t from schools for the deaf, nor are classically “cultural Deaf”. That is the way of the future, but let’s not forget the message these four students give.
It is this: “When I came here to this campus, it was like the world opened up.” “I felt as if I came home.” I’m sure this kind of message will be repeated throughout the series.
Yes, there should be at least one or two culturally Deaf students in this series for balance and for illustration of how having a Deaf family from birth or from school can add strength to a student’s self-concept and the community sense of solidarity. Perhaps later in the season?
October 25th, 2011 at 4:50 am
Hm… is this series following 4 students all the way, not including more students from different backgrounds (like culturally Deaf kids)? You are right, the MTVU should show more variety.
Anyway, my son who’s 14 watched it with me and he got a “good feeling” about this video, considering he’s seriously considering going to MSSD in the near future.
October 25th, 2011 at 9:14 am
FYI: ABC’s noon newscaster reported today that the MTVU series will on TV’s Reality Show some time next week.