Mairian wrote in response to Phyllis
Perhaps another question might be why the disability
>movement is so intent on promoting the 'Deaf' ideal at the expense of
>'other' deaf people, in the light of Phyllis' observation, and why when
>this subject is raised on the listserve, it falls like a damp squib? I have
>my own answers to these questions, and personally, I think this is yet
>another 'difficult' area that we are skirting.
>
>Best wishes
>
>Mairian
>
Personally, i would like to hear more about this debate. Its fascinatingly
complex it seems. I don't know whether I can contribute to it because I
don't have much knowledge in this area but I am finding this a good place
to learn.
What I have noticed which promted me to reply, is that it *does* seem to be
the Deaf people are held with high regard for the appropriation of their
own cultural identity by way of reversing the discourse on hearing
hegemony. It has struck me that denial of disability though, can also be
viewed as a slap in the face to people who have a disability including deaf
people. I am reminded of how heterosexual men use gay men and women as a
yardstick for masculinity but then so do gay men. There exists a hideous
phrase which many gay men (or men who have sex with men) use to describe
themselves: "Straight-acting" (meaning not gay acting = effeminate). You
can see this for yourself. Look in the 'personal' columns in a gay paper.
Gay men and straight men also use terms such as "don't be such a girl" I
can't quite work out whats so bad about 'girls' yet? The other thing i am
reminded of is when I hear a person with a physical disability speak of the
reactions of the public with comments such as: "just because I'm in a
wheelchair doesn't mean I have some sort of mental problem you know". My
thoughts are yes but so many other people do and what's a wheelchair got to
do with that?...(actually I realise why it is said..I just don't like it)
Anyway for someone with not much to say i feel I have said a lot.
With best regards
Laurence Bathurst
University of Sydney
School of Occupation and Leisure Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
East Street (P.O. Box 170)
Lidcombe NSW 1825
Australia
Ph+ 61 2 9351 9509
Fax+ 61 2 9351 9166
E-mail [log in to unmask]
Note: This is the e-mail address for my home as well
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There is not one shred of evidence that supports the notion that life is
serious.
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