My Take on DeafU
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- Опубліковано 24 гру 2020
- Thoughts on Deaf U. There were many topics already covered by many people. This is just the few that haven't been discussed and wanted to throw this in. As always, it will be an ongoing discussion because our Deaf community is so layered. That is okay. Let us navigate this together.
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Catching up and uploading my content that was posted on my Instagram and Facebook throughout the quarantine year! This video was posted on FB and IG on October 22, 2020. (Check out my other videos!)
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Transcript in the comments.
Transcript: Hello! Talking in the car is always best, right? Just sitting here with no distractions. This video is related to my thoughts on Deaf U. First before moving forward, I want to make sure I recognize two important things: lack of BIPOC women, POC representation in Deaf U. Some scenes in Deaf U did trigger some people of their past experiences and trauma. I saw some people sharing with videos and some shared with written stories on FB and IG. I want to make sure that we recognize and value their stories. This vlog is more focused on the bigger picture. I noticed that a lot of topics were already covered with many great vlogs i.e. on Deaf elitism, representation in the media, etc. I will not cover them, but just a few different thoughts. First of all, I want us to realize that no media, movies, tv shows, etc. will ever cover 100% of a culture. It is not possible. Why? Culture is rooted in inheritance and over time with technology and society changes, culture also changes. So, Deaf U- one reality tv series covers everything about Deaf culture? No. I think most of the cast members did make that clear and some people did mention that one tv show couldn’t possibly cover it all. We also need to make sure we realize that. I also noticed that many people really chewed out at Gallaudet University saying “you should not do that! Why did you do that!” Gallaudet did not “make” Deaf U or edited it down. Gallaudet just provided space for Deaf U to be filmed there. It is Netflix that made the edits. I also saw that a lot of us gave constructive feedback to Netflix. I think that is great. I hope they will take your feedback and improve for next time. Third thing, this is just a thought of mine..I could be wrong, but is this the first reality tv series that does not focus on the “audio-centric” part of a Deaf person? I just notice most of the times when movies or tv shows have a Deaf person part of it- usually would talk about the struggles of a Deaf person or make it audio-centric or say need an interpreter, etc. - the focus is on the Deafness. Now, this reality tv show is a full Deaf cast with different backgrounds as “normal” with typical topics. Have any of that? I do not think so? I think Deaf U is the first reality tv show that does not focus on their Deafness, but focuses on their normal lives, their journeys in college. So, I am wondering about our Deaf community - we reacted saying that Netflix should have featured on Deaf culture, should expose teaching sign language, should show what courses they are taking, homework, etc. like what Gallaudet has to offer and all- the should, should, should.. really?? Oh and honestly, it’s a reality tv show…who wants to watch students walk to class, doing homework, playing video games in dorm rooms, no body wants to watch that, haha. Unfortunately our society thrives on those three things: drama, sex, alcohol. And it’s college!! OF COURSE! There is no college in the world that does not have one of the three. Every college has at least one person doing these three (drama, sex, alcohol). Galladuet is not the only one. So, I just wondered about how our Deaf community reacted-is it because we are so used to the media portraying us Deaf people always about our Deafness. Now, we see something so “normal” like not talking about our Deafness, but talking about lives, frustrations as human beings- we say oh what about this or that? Is it because we are not used to that? It kind of was mind-boggling and shook us up a bit? That was just my thought. I am curious what you think? Again, really the bigger picture here is that it really did impact hearing people- yes. It impacted our Deaf community in a different way- yes. Example, the hearing locals here- I live out here in the Midwest. Hearing people here really know nothing of Deaf people. They’re not “caught up” with Deaf people, ASL, our community- nothing. So, I chatted with a few hearing locals I know. I asked them if they watched Deaf U. They said yeah we did! I asked what they thought. They said wow, the show gave them perspective like “oh, you guys are just like us”, not as a Deaf person, but as life experiences. “You guys are normal like us.” I was lke hmm… and another example is one of my friends who is Deaf. He grew up going to a mainstream school. Did not learn sign language until he went to Gallaudet. He was sharing his experience about Gallaudet to a group of hearing people. After he finished sharing, one hearing person was like “ok so.. there are Deaf people at Gallaudet?” My friend was like… I just shared my experience and I m a Deaf person myself (like what!?). Honestly, hearing people do have a limited worldview on us in terms of Deaf people and our Deaf community. Deaf U does put in a perspective for hearing people in a different way. It is really hard to have representation of a Deaf person in a Hollywood mainstream media. There are so many great Deaf actors, Deaf filmmakers, Deaf script writers, etc. but it is SO HARD to get in the Hollywood mainstream media. So, for Netflix to feature Deaf U worldwide- it is a big deal. Yes, areas to work on, but I hope Deaf U is like a foot in the door. I hope that is an opportunity for us as a Deaf community peel off our layered parts of our community and band together- not tear each other apart- but band together AND push for more representation in the Hollywood media. We need to push together. Again, this is just my thought process. I am trying to see this in a bigger picture. Yes, if we look closely- we see many things to work on, but try to see it outside of it. As we analyze together, keep in mind of the bigger picture too. That’s all.
Hi Renca Dunn
I love that you shared your opinion on this thank you. This gives me lots of insight and I also think Hollywood need to shift their focus a little more to the deaf community
I’m hard of hearing and I sign. I have a few times a month when I meet with others from the Deaf / HOH community for a few hours just to visit and talk about our lives. We meet at a Starbucks in a town near me. It’s fun and necessary for us to meet together.
My wife and kids don’t sign because I can speak…without my hearing aids in I can’t hear them if I’m not nearby or in the same room.
Being at the Starbucks gives others in the hearing world a look at us. We are no different than they are : work, entertainment, family, friends, travel, and more. They get to see us visit and I know they’re curious about sign and all.
You are good n I love the way you say as it is..There’s a windows of opportunities for deaf people.. open minded where we can stand out more n not under the rug. Thanks for sharing. Stay safe warm and healthy. Be kind to another
Beautiful said!