*CLARIFICATION: I'm not talking about DBC conference itself.*
I was appalled that Patti Durr would make a comment about the DBC core members that NONE of them disagree with the idea of CI and oralism.
She stated, "I have had a great deal of contact with the core members of DBC and I have NEVER seen any of them pronounce radical views. How does one discuss why bilingualism is not accepted in Deaf education today when it was the foundation of Deaf education in 1817 without discussing oralism, audism and CI. This is not to say having oral / aural skills are bad or that having CIs is bad – no one in DBC is saying that. Their opposition is to oral / aural only methods."
Patti's statement would hurt the relationship between the Deaf community and DBC. Her statement will not strengthen DBC's mission. Her statement will bring our integrity into question. Many of us know that some core members of DBC do disagree with the idea of CI and oralism. However... DBC is not here to focus on CI or Oralism.
I believe that DBC should state that they are not here to debate whether CI or the oral approach are right. DBC is here to make sure the parents have access to information about ASL.
I notice that some organizations and leaders, for example, NAD, are not striving toward integrity. NAD is supposed to let everyone know about upcoming elections. However there was no aggressively PR about possible candidates for the NAD Presidency in compete against President Bobbie Scoggins who is now in her second term as President, from 2008 to 2010. There was a small paragraph on NAD's website seeking candidates for President and Vice President. Many people overlooked it. NAD is stuck in a comfort zone where they want to keep Bobbie Scoggins, entrenched as the NAD President, for the next two years.
I am sick and tired of some leaders from different organizations not striving toward integrity. Deaf babies and children are the ones who will get HURT the most.
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23 comments:
I was surprised to see Patti's comments, too.
Integrity is essential if we want to gain the trust of both hearing and Deaf people.
Hi Aidan,
You and I have had our disagreements, but I am totally with you on this one - honesty is the key.
Yes, I knew that some DBC members were against CI/Oralism.
I do not have problems with that because that is how they really feel.
However, like you said, being honest with the Deaf Community - and especially the parents seeking information - and not hiding will do them great services. Yes, some folks will not be happy but at least they would know where they stand.
You have been outspoken and they have not. I think they are afraid of being bashed for what they believe in.
With me personally, though, the impression I got was that Ella wanted to talk more than the benefits of ASL for babies. It is clear to me and others that she wanted to include deafhood and audism but people are stating otherwise.
Why are they fighting so hard to deny this? It is that obvious.
Even though I personally do not agree that those should be included within DBC, but if that’s what they want to do then they need to be clear about that. Like you said, people will appreciate their honesty.
But yes you are right, being honest will solve a lot of problems.
You look great as usual and good luck with your script.
Hi Aida-
It is good to see you again. I love how you look on your video. Very artistic looking.
By the way- I was thinking about all comments, vlogs and blogs this morning. I think some people have taken out of proportion about DBC. I do not wish to speak for the core leaders but I believe most of them are against CI just like you and I do. I do not see any harm for them to express their own moral beliefs or values but when they come together in front of the public eye then they need to make a statement: Let all Deaf children sign…to have a mission by providing access to all Deaf children.
For example, at the AA meeting which I learned from a friend of mine few years ago that all attendees have their own individual moral beliefs/values…some say it is okay to attend parties where drinks are provided…some say it is okay to drink one glass of alcohol…and some say it is okay to drink once in a while regardless he/she is an alcoholic. But when they come together to AA meeting or activities then they have a mission…”No Drinks Allowed” and they must come to term that they have a disease too. In their own homes…they can do or believe whatever they want. I see the same parallel with DBC leaders and members.
Some core leaders have told me personally that they do not agree CI on deaf children and etc. Sure and why not? They did not lie and I am sure they have shared with many other people too. When it comes to DBC event then we need to put aside about CI on Deaf children. If parents really want to know the truth and ask one of us or DBC leaders about CI then I am positive sure that we will be honest with them what we truly think of CI just like Patti did with one of the parents.
I personally feel that some commenters wanted to find something so they could make DBC leaders villains. Commenters betrayed DBC leaders simply because they were being themselves and share their moral and beliefs with them. Now commenters want to use this to tell the whole world that they are liars and have hidden agendas. That is not fair and that is not right too.
Oops! Not Aida...what was I thinking?...sorry...Aidan. :-)
The name of the newly-founded coalition "Deaf Bilingual Coalition" is crystal clear. It means its focus is on bilingualism and nothing else. Pure and simple!
By the way, it is really good to see you back at your vlog. You look splendid and well-relaxed.
HI Aidan!
good to see you again! I am really excited that you are working on your next film! much looking forward to it!
do you still have my email addy? if yes please contact me because someone want to get in touch with you with future film festival ok? I didn't want to mention his/her name on this you know me? :)
humm speaking of Patti Durr, I understand your point of view, what I see Patti Durr, she is just trying to explain that DBC are good people, they are there to support ASL. Patti is more of person who want to bring positive aspect within our community. I could be wrong but I know Patti has wonderful caring heart just like you do. It is ok to give feedback and exchange share knowledge what the best for our Deaf children.
ok keep in touch Aidan
:) Gary Brooks
Aidan -
What? What? What?
when and where did i say DBC team is not against CI and oralism???????
this is what u signed in ur vlog
im totally puzzled
maybe u misunderstood me?
I did see a DBC media rep tell the reporter that DBC is not about protesting CI it is about bilingualism
is that where u got confused?
is it because in the comment section i said i have never seen any DBC core member take a radical position?
what what what is your issue with what i signed or wrote?
i know all of us have different opinions about ASL, CI, oralism, audism - i think it is fine to hold personal opinions and beliefs about these topics. I was stating the truth that i have NEVER seen any DBC core member promote radical ideas while wearing their DBC hat and even when their DBC hat was off I have simply seen them share their pov and thoughts on different matters.
re: integrity - it is very very very important to me so i take your accusation quite seriously
look forward to u offering more clarification
re: ur script and film process - BEST BEST wishes. very excited for ya
peace
patti durr
I agree with Patti.
During the convention, I had not seen any of DBC core member spoke against CI. They put away their own personal beliefs behind and promote one belief that we all share is Bilingualism.
When I wear an organization hat, I should not share my personal belief with anyone on behalf of the organization. This is what I call code of conduct.
Yes we know some of their personal beliefs. They did not impost their personal beliefs on DBC's mission.
We do not need to discuss about their personal beliefs that I know are irrelevant to DBC.
Deafchip
I think some of the commenters are missing the point of the vlog Aidan made. The whole point of her arugument is "honesty."
Some of you are in shock that she would call DBC core members out on their game. I think it's deserved. Her point was DBC are saying "We are not against it."
But the people saying it are against it. It invalidates your arugument. It destroys your credibility.
Voltaire once wrote "I do not agree with what you wrote but I will die defending your right to write it."
Aidan is expecting honesty, like most of us. One cannot stand up with a front (DBC) having another agenda (pushing ASL) in place. That is sneaky and merits disrespect.
DBC is starting to lose credibility before the organization takes hold. We all KNOW AGB is against ASL. AGB makes no secret of that. AGB will NOT advocate ASL.
that much is clear.
How about DBC? I agree with Aidan here, honesty please?
-Ben
Yup, Der Sankt, you said it so well. There's too much denial going on.
It's the one thing that turned me off about DBC is seeing so many conflicting messages.
I think more people are questioning things and seeing the conflict, which is good.
I appriciated opinion of "iammine". "being honest with the Deaf Community - and especially the parents seeking information - and not hiding will do them great services." I join deaf community site mydeafmatch.com, and I met some parents with deaf children. Some of them are hearing, they often ask for advice from some deaf/hoh members.
I think I just happened to come along and read Aidan's vlog very shortly after she posted it and I admit that I was confounded to the point that I thought it was wiser to hold back my initial response, Now that it has fleshed out to something clearer, especially Der Sank's take on this, I now have a moral/ethical question: If honesty is such an issue to the point where those core members of DBC who are, in reality, very opposed to CI's, a belief NOT included in DBC's mission statement, then what are these core members to do? Resign? If Aidan and others hold the view of integrity to the point that a core member cannot hold a view against CI's while wearing the DBC mantle, then it would appear that they should not be part of the shakers and movers within DBC (sheep in wolves' clothing, so to speak)??? Me, I don't know; it is a tough call.......
DT
Ben, show me where did you find that DBC members who are against CI announce that they are not against CI?
David and some others, I think we understand your posts but please re-read what Aidan really means. I posted a question above about that, hoping to clear it up a little.
To represent an organization and have views/beliefs that conflict with the organization's main mission and to be mum about beliefs you have that conflict, EVEN IF you don't mention them, to me, is a tough act to follow, especially over time; it is fraught with pitfalls. Just my two centavos worth....
DT
Patti,
If you go through my older entries in my blog--you will find that Ella spoke against CI.
That contradicts what you said, patti. I would be a bit more careful about assuming someone else's position on an issue.
You quoted here: "DBC core member take a radical position?"
Apparently you don't know your crew as well as you think. Ella brought up a radical idea a few times before, take "deaf-mute" for example.
You can't honestly say that none of the DBC team never took a radical position.
-Ben
Aidan,
Wish you all the success with your film production.
Some people like to make a molehill out of nothing. Just go on with life as it is no big deal.
Nobody is perfect! At least, DBC learn something new about how to do the damage control, etc.
Robert L. Mason (RLM)
Some of you are WRONG!
Watch the vlogs of the DBC conference. You'll see at least two featured presenters who poetically ranted about children put on the assembly line to get CIs.
That's what makes DBC not pure in it's mission!!!
Patty did her best as she could. There are no right and wrong here. Personally I oppose the CI but it is not the issue here. I will mention this to the parents if they ask me however I will emphasize on the Bilingual Approach. The DBC is so new .. Give it a time please.
Aiden, A great vlog. I understand you cherish the DBC and Bilingual Approach.
Break down the wall -- slowly! It will take time.
An Ex-Deaf Oralist and A Proud Deaf ASL-er, Diane
Please clarify what you mean by "integrity"
Aidan,
I know you will do great with your film project on this fall. Of course, I wish you all the success with your film production. =)
I absolutely agree with iammine's comment. Honesty is the best image!
Please keep us posted about DBC situation.
~ RAY =)
I am truly appalled at some of the commenters here basically disregarding what Aidan said and others who supports her...
It's not a mountain out of a molehill. There are doctors, parents, professionals, and so many more in AGBell conventions...their impression of Deaf people now are protesters who stalks them at every convention they make...That reflects on me, Aidan and many others who feel this might be a bit dishonest.
Should we sit and say nothing? Let you misrepresent us? Make you NOT accountable for your behavior?
Be real.
-Der Sankt
my response to Aidan's call for integrity
http://blog.deafread.com/pote/2008/07/08/clarification-and-integrity/
I just viewed the interview with AG Bell President, Jay at http://deafanthology.blogspot.com/2008/07/da-vlog-interview-with-ag-bell.html and was surprised to see that most if not all Barb’s hot air (questions) never made it to the interview. Barb demonstrated so much hyper on the stage but in reality the interview was moderately managed. An interesting point to make. Jay with AG Bell said that DBC has never prepared a formal letter or seek formal meeting to introduce itself and seek dialogue with the organization. In short, DBC jumped the gun and prepared a costly rally ($35,000 or more) without allowing for due process first. All that expensive rally have in Milwaukee been done in vain. Deaf people who paid their expenses to attend did it in vain because DBC misled them. A simple formal letter of introduction to AG Bell would have led us to healthy dialogue with AG Bell and seek solutions. Now, how did it not happen and why?
Simple answers. Deafhood. Deafhood is more interested in making hearing people and AG Bell look bad in order to validate itself and to empower its movement. Second reason. Ella, John and their DBC Core Group only understand intimidation tactics because that is what Deafhood promotes. Evidently it backfired. This is an embarrassment.
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