In a world of dominantly hearing people, Deaf and Hard of Hearing American artists and authors share in the celebration of their differences while acknowledging the feelings of confusion, isolation, and inferiority that clouded their journeys to self-acceptance.
Supporting Viewpoints
Throughout American history, d/Deaf and hard of hearing Americans have faced various forms of oppression that have hindered their growth as individuals and as a community. Whether it be the inaccessibility of hearing "norms" creating social isolation and confusion or the misunderstanding that the hearing community as superior, the journey to self-acceptance in the Deaf identity has been historically arduous. When schooling systems were established, d/Deaf individuals from all around the nation began living together and sharing in a new "norm" with each other. This is when a true d/Deaf culture was formed. d/Deaf authors, artists, poets, and actors celebrate this culture in their works, whether it be in resistance to their mistreatment or affirming in their diverse experiences.
Opposing Viewpoints
I make this point in opposition to those that still believe in the inferiority of d/Deaf individuals. The modern-day audist may still see deafness as a deficiency that needs to be fixed through technology such as the cochlear implant. What they fail to see is the fully lived lives of d/Deaf Americans as seen through the art and literary works of d/Deaf creators throughout history. Many authors and artists were products of their time and may have internalized the negative, audist belief system. Yet, despite their own doubts, they continued to preserve d/Deaf culture and stories for us to view today.
Relevant Themes and Definitions
Which One Are You? - Nancy Rourke
Deaf ("Big-D" Deaf) - refers to an individual that accepts the deaf, cultural identity
deaf ("Little-d" deaf) refers to a state of hearing loss with little connection to the shared culture
I often use "d/Deaf" which includes reference to all deaf individuals whether or not they have the cultural identity.
Ameslan Prohibited
Betty G. Miller
The belief that hearing people are superior to D/deaf people, and the oppression the D/deaf community faces as a result.
Education
Betty G. Miller
The educational system in which ASL is prohibited in favor of teaching speech therapy and lipreading. Focuses on the deaf student's ability to communicate with a hearing individual.
ArtNo2 - Chuck Baird
Deaf View/Image Art (De'VIA) is created specifically to share the deaf perspective and experience. The artist does not need to be deaf or hard-of-hearing themselves but must display the deaf experience.
De'VIA artists uses similar motifs across their works to show resistance, affirmation, or liberation pieces.
Left and Right - Chuck Baird
The feelings of being in-between languages (ASL and English) and cultures (hearing and D/deaf) in a dominantly hearing, English world
Growing
Betty G. Miller
The positive journey of finding and accepting the D/deaf identity.
Marylin's Spirit - Guy Wonder
A reframing of the term "hearing loss" to demonstrate the many ways in which d/Deaf people positively impact their communities.
Snapshot Silent - Camela Lentini
Another term to describe the social isolation of deaf individuals. d/Deaf people's differing norms set them outside of the hearing community.
References:
"2003 Winter." Deaf Art, Rochester Institute of Technology, https://deaf-art.org/profiles/2003-winter/#
Berkowitz, Marla. "Deaf Art and Literature: Textual Literary Analysis." 31 Aug. 2023. PowerPoint Slides.
Berkowitz, Marla. “Deaf Identities.” 24 Aug. 2023. PowerPoint Slides.
Berkowitz, Marla. “De'VIA.” 29 Aug. 2023. PowerPoint Slides.
"Betty G. Miller." Deaf Art, Rochester Institute of Technology, https://deaf-art.org/profiles/betty-g-miller/
"Chuck Baird." Deaf Art, Rochester Institute of Technology, https://deaf-art.org/profiles/chuck-baird/#
“Guy Wonder.” Deaf Art, Rochester Institute of Technology, 20 June 2021, deaf-art.org/profiles/guy-wonder/#.
"Nancy Rourke." Deaf Art, Rochester Institute of Technology, https://deaf-art.org/profiles/nancy-rourke/