ASL 3350 ePortfolio
American Deaf Arts and Literature
Autumn 2023 - Audrey Ruscak
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About Me
About Me
Hello! My name is Audrey Ruscak, and I am fourth-year Neuroscience student with a minor in American Sign Language Studies. I was born and raised in Akron, Ohio. I love running, swimming, cooking, and napping with my cats. My career goal is to attend medical school and become a pediatrician.
Here is a picture of me with my family (minus my brother). I am second from the left!
Goals and Expectations
My interest in taking this American Deaf Arts & Literature course was to expand my knowledge on a subculture of American society. I had taken four, previous introductory American Sign Language (ASL) courses, yet this course primarily focused on the history of d/Deaf culture and the contributions d/Deaf artists and authors have made to preserve their culture. I hope to one day use my knowledge of ASL with my patients, as well as educate my fellow medical professionals on d/Deaf culture. The more knowledge we possess, the more inclusive our environments become. By taking the time to analyze artworks and literary pieces, we learn about experiences unlike our own that expand our perspective on the world as a whole.
When asked at the beginning of this course, my initial definition of deafness in America came from what I learned in ASL 1101-1103 and the many d/Deaf creators on TikTok. They show how the image of deafness in America is misplaced. Deafness or hearing loss is not a burden, but rather a difference that should be celebrated. The two TikTok accounts @cargo_pants_dad and @deal_family show the daily lives of two young Deaf girls. They educate their viewers on the proper manners when interacting with d/Deaf individuals. This course helped to refine my definition of being d/Deaf in America as we explored artwork, poems, plays, and literature throughout the past two-hundred years.
Daddy-Daughter duo (TJ and Kylee) share their daily lives and various skits to share the true d/Deaf experience!
This family shares their daily life and show common tips for their daughter with hearing loss! (flickering lights to grab attention)
Three Main Take-Aways
One - Deaf Gain
Deaf Gain refers to the reclaiming of the medical term "hearing loss," and spinning it into a positive outlook for deaf and hard-of-hearing people. Deafness is not a deficiency, and the term "Deaf Gain" helps to push back against the narrow mindedness of the hearing majority. Furthermore, by promoting Deaf Gain, d/Deaf individuals may view their deafness as a strength and find pride in their d/Deaf identities.
As an ally, my role is to believe in Deaf Gain and help educate those around me on the movement.
Two - Audism still exists today.
Historically, the d/Deaf community has faced a form of oppression called audism. Audism stems from the 1800s religious belief that the deaf and mute were sinful and evil. Today, audism may appear as a mother teaching her hearing child sign language, but a deaf child's mother wanting her child to lip-read.
As an ally, I must recognize audist beliefs in myself and others and continue my education of d/Deaf culture.
Three - Deaf Characters need to be three-dimensional.
Often in literature and media, deaf and hard-of-hearing characters lack personality traits beyond the fact they have hearing loss. Worse, the character may fall into the deaf-and-dumb category of being helpless. The lack of true representation in the media can negatively impact self-confidence. d/Deaf authors, playwrights, poets, actors, and filmmakers are at the forefront of providing the world with three-dimensional characters that happen to also be deaf.
As an ally, I can share good representation of Deaf characters to my friends and family. I can explain when a character is doing more harm than good in the deaf community.
References:
“BGM/CB Tribute 2018-2019 Wonderism.” De’VIA Curriculum, Word Press, 16 May 2020, deviacurr.wordpress.com/bgm-cb-tribute-2018-2019/.
DiMarco, Nyle, and Siebert, Robert. Deaf Utopia: A Memoir—and a Love Letter to a Way of Life. United States, HarperCollins, 2022.
“Guy Wonder.” Deaf Art, Rochester Institute of Technology, 20 June 2021, deaf-art.org/profiles/guy-wonder/#.
“History of How ASL Developed.” Unit 4: Expanding People. The Ohio State University American Sign Language Program.
"I interesting the hamster." Literature and art. Handspeak. https://www.handspeak.com/learn/282/
“Milan Conference.” Unit 13: Employment & Money. The Ohio State University American Sign Language Program.
“Milan, Italy 1880.” Deaf History. Handspeak. https://www.handspeak.com/learn/238/
“The Artist.” RIT/NTID Dyer Arts Center, Omeka, dyerartscenter.omeka.net/exhibits/show/guywonder/artist. Accessed 23 Oct. 2023.
Berkowitz, Marla. “De'VIA.” 29 Aug. 2023. PowerPoint Slides.
Berkowitz, Marla. "Deaf Art and Literature: Textual Literary Analysis." 31 Aug. 2023. PowerPoint Slides.
Berkowitz, Marla. “Deaf Identities.” 24 Aug. 2023. PowerPoint Slides.
Clark, John Lee. Deaf American Poetry: An Anthology. Gallaudet Up, 2009.
Conley, Willy. Vignettes of the Deaf Character and Other Plays. Gallaudet Up, 2010.
Harmon, Kristen & Nelson, Jennifer. Deaf American Prose: 1980-2010. Gallaudet Up, 2012.
Krentz, Christopher. A Mighty Change: An Anthology of Deaf American Writing, 1816-1864. Gallaudet UP, 2000.
Luczak, Raymond. Silence Is a Four-Letter Word: On Art & Deafness. Handtype Press, 2012.
Luczak, Raymond. Whispers of a Savage Sort: And Other Plays about the American Deaf Experience. Gallaudet UP, 2009.
Sayers, Enda Edith. Outcasts and Angels: An Analogy of Deaf Characters in. Gallaudet UP, 2012.
Selznick, Brain. Wonderstruck: A Novel in Pictures and Words. Scholastic UP, 2012.
Sonnenstrahl, Deborah M. Deaf Artists in America: Colonial to Contemporary. DawnSign Press, 2002.
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