Before I go on, I have the need to post this:
The reason is clear. I'm obviously pissed.
They attended to rally at the recent EHDI (Early Hearing Detection and Intervention) Conference in St. Louis, MO. I understood their reason for their appearance at the EHDI and wanted the changes in the system for Deaf babies and children.
Sounds good? Sure, but that's not the reason why I'm pissed about.
They went to two oral deaf programs and a Children's Hospital where cochlear implantation occurred. They waltzed into school (the Moog Center) and the hospital, specifically on the floor where cochlear implant activation is. There are video being released into public. The one, in particular, about the tour in the hospital has been set into private after AFA received an outcry from the public. Go figures.
This ENDS with me. Period.
These school and hospital grounds are off-limit to any political activities. Some blogs, written by hearing parents of deaf children, had exhibited their feelings about AFA's appearances. Reading their responses and thoughts was heartwrenching. Some information was incorrect, but that was not the point. My one and only fear was confirmed. AFA's tactics, poorly planned and done without class, are driving these parents away from us and drove into the hands of those hands who embraced them with options of language development for Deaf babies and children, that may be with ASL or without ASL.
So, I'm asking my readers and friends to go "Rush Limbaugh" on them by withdraw your support for AFA. Of course, I'm not twisting your arm here, but it constitutes a community accountability action.
There, I've said it. Writing is a therapy after all.
Only one coupon? Shoot. :)
ReplyDeleteHm, exactly... when I saw the videos for the first time, I was reactive... as a parent. Appalled, dismayed, disappointed, dismayed, embarrassed, and outraged. I was taken back to hear that the leaders thought it was all fine and dandy, that the security approved, etc. Duh?
I am glad that one blogger wrote a blog questioning the motives of the organization and made several suggestions... especially the part about leadership. It's obvious to us that the organizations run on emotions and the leaders have again and again shown a lack of business savvy, planning, strategic thinking, a poor taste in media, etc.
Dawn, good blog, summing up the reactions of the general Deaf community. AND AFA does not represent all of us... even many of us who believe in the term 'audism'.
Karen,
DeleteThanks for stopping by. Yes, AFA is high one emotions and is not connected with the mind.
Just look at the leaders. Look at their reactions and responses after the community alerted about their movement at St. Louis. They thought it was fine and dandy. ~facepalm~
Good leaders listen. AFA fails that. Miserably.
Well, popcorn time. Watch them f-a-l-l.
I want three coupons. There are three AFA individuals I want to slap. The rest of them were not intelligent enough to know better.
ReplyDeleteThe real problem here is AFA is thriving on what little support people are willing to give them. I keep hearing people say they like part of what AFA was doing but didn't like the other things they were doing. Well, a snake is a snake. You don't pet the tail and say you don't like the head at the same time.
I saw a video of Patti Durr in a hotel lobby room with a group of deaf people who didn't know how to think for themselves. In that room there were securities who told them that they were not allowed to go any further because they were not registered for the event. No name badges? No admission. But what did Patti Durr do? She turned around and told her followers that they were not allowed in because they were being oppressed against. She then asked how they felt about it. You could see a couple of them grunting around basically saying they were disappointed. Now, what is wrong with the picture?
The leader (Patti Durr) in this case should have been more honest by telling her followers that they would need to register for the event if they wanted to go in. It is not a case of them being oppressed away but a case of lack of registration. I mean, by golly, what kind of leader manipulates her followers like that? Eh?
That in itself told me plenty about AFA / DBC leaders. They seem to have a nasty habit of recruiting "not too intelligent" people and turn them into followers so that there would be some body count at their rallies. Now, that is where real embarrassment is.
I keep hearing how some people would have positive things to say about Patti Durr and how nice she was. Well, this type of manipulative behavior is NOT acceptable. Turning a blind eye on people you like knowingly they turned their blind eyes on the truth... I'm going to have to re-evaluate that first person.
theHolism,
DeleteI agree...it was an embarrassment. Sheer embarrassment, I may add.
Patti Durr, along with her amusing sidekick, Ruthie Jordan are riding on followers' emotions. These people coming from ages ago of oral programs need some serious hand holding and support, but bringing them to rally is like fat people rallying to the donut shop. One is in charge of their emotions.
Well, thank you for stopping by.
This is called 'Playing the Deaf card.' and abusing position by the most effective communicator being selective about what communication they impart, to me that is abuse of deaf people. The adage of the 'one-eyed' many being King in the land of the blind etc..' Unfortgiveable NOT to tell deaf exactly what is being said. If an interpreter did it, all hell would break loose.
ReplyDeleteMM,
DeleteI cringe at the notion of "playing the Deaf card," but you do have a point here.
Own it up seems to be a hard concept for many.
Thank you for stopping by.
Are you an extreme couponer? ha.
ReplyDeleteYou made a great points here and totally agree of this. Thank you
lavender16,
DeleteAw! Thank you!
Extreme couponer - hardly. My purse is too small to carry those coupons. :-)
I changed my mind. I need four coupons.
ReplyDeleteFeel free to take as many as you need. :-)
DeleteYou're an extreme coupon cutter! Congratulations for making the cut for the DeafTLC network channel.I'll be looking forward watching you to do some coupon work.
ReplyDeleteSaturday Night Live (SNL) could use your coupon joke. ;-)
Can I have the three coupons?
Thanks,
White Ghost
White Ghost,
DeleteI have no doubt that you'll take the front seat. :-P
Take as many as you need and join several bitch-slapping session with theHolism.
But, regardless, thank you for the compliment. You're not bad yourself.
Hiii Hiii Dawn, right now I dont need the coupons but I might need them soon who knows. I just posted on my fb profile with two vlogs I shared from DVTV.... I did ask few friends, I tried to understand the word "Deafhood" but none of them give me the good answers. I told msyelf I dont think we need to have AFA or deafhood bec we have some good organization who will help lifting the deaf awareness or wil help with deaf's needs such as interpreters at the hospital.... the organization such as NAD, DeafHope, etc they do not do the rally like AFA. I did do nothing, just listen the supporters and non-supporters but but but til I was informed by a friend about AFA invade and about AFA chose to rally instead of accepting the invitation to be part of stakeholders and to be in the meeting to voice their debates or whatever. They embarrassed me, they turned me off, they did not do professionally. All they can do is ask for an appt to visit them but invade them. Grrrrrrr.... understand yours now.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing..by the way, good blog. Keep up!
Friend SJ