A poem of “DEAF”: An Online Story

Suroal Gals. (2009, January 25). A poem of “DEAF”[Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2t1RrYvFG_Y&feature=related.

There were many stories and poems I could have chosen, but I wanted to choose one that could easily be understood by “non-signers”.  Although this poem is not written, it is good literature----there aren’t many people who know how to read ASL on paper.   It needs to be watched.  

The student-written poem (written by Alexia—no last name) expresses that although Alexia is deaf—with her challenges of being deaf—and you are hearing, that we all have something in common. The message is that we are all the same—and to keep trying to build relationships—while simultaneously declaring her deaf pride.  The video is in sign language—specifically, I consider it to be Pigeon Sign English with some ASL and Signed English features mixed in.  The video provides captioning in English.  The author also takes artistic license of camera close ups and distances to make her point.  This is a positive portrayal of a Deaf person as a whole, and powerful person—as opposed to the Hearing Impaired view which tends to see Deaf as a disability.  It also challenges a stereotype that poetry has to be written.

 The poem is meant to help break down walls and to emphasize that sameness of humanity.  Teachers sharing this video might want to do some research into Deaf culture before using it—such as an understanding of big D verses little d deaf.  However, the video really takes little extra understanding or depth—it’s pretty surface level.    It could also lead to conversations of what is “literature” and is ASL a form of literature?    I encourage teachers to use this video even if you don’t have a deaf student—this video could be a good introduction to deaf poetry.  However, I also caution teachers that if you do have a deaf signing student, you might like to collaborate with the teacher of the deaf and the interpreter on how to go about the topic.  Also, you would want to discuss with the deaf student ahead of time his/her feelings about addressing the topic and how to do it.  It is important in sharing such pieces to be Culturally Relevant to students and their needs.

Ages: Appropriate for All Ages;  Since the student telling the story appears to be of Middle or H.S. age, I most recommend it for 6th-12th.

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As an additional note, here are some other deaf poems that I thought about using, but did not. 

ASL Poem: Don’t Text and Drive  By Spring Relay (watch it the first time without the captions or sounds, then watch it again with them---the message is clear). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bg6U0Snczc4

Also, there’s a trailer for a movie I want to see about Deaf students entering a poetry slam—the students decide to perform without voicing.  I would like to see this film: http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/deaf-jam/

This poem is a poem dealing with controversy within the deaf community itself—about how there are different types of sign language and neither is superior.  Interestingly enough, I feel the author (although likely unintentionally) still clearly indicates his preference as ASL being superior: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0VBvKNd6hE

Here’s one that is very pretty called “Dew on a Spider Web”  It’s older, and it has no interpretation, but I think it’s demonstrates the expressiveness of ASL. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaHChvFWegQ&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PLE607D7E7709087FF