Friday, March 30, 2012
Historical Documentation of Deaf Activism with AFA, DHF and DBC at EHDI Conference 2012
Historical Documentation of Deaf Activism with AFA, DHF and DBC at EHDI Conference 2012
What George Veditz and his group did the last 100 years and now we are doing this in this second 100 years!
Onward we go!
AFA Rally Part 1 at EHDI Conference 2012
AFA at CID and Moog
AFA and EHDI Meeting 2012
AFA/DBC/DHF Presentation at GSLAD - Part 1 - Celebrating Deaf Victories
AFA Rally at GSLAD and Vigil
AFA/DBC/DHF Presentation at GSLAD - Part 2 - Taking a Stand
EHDI Conference 2012 - AFA Rally (Sun - Tues)
AFA Vigil at St. Joseph's and Solidarity
Shawn Elfrink and I want to thank Audism Free America, Deaf Bilingual Coalition, Deafhood Foundation, National Association of the Deaf, and many other supporters/volunteers for the rally in St. Louis. We do appreciate it and it has been a learning experience for everyone to get into activism.
Here is clarification of what activism is: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/activism
It is what we are doing to emphasize direct vigorous action especially in opposition of audism practices.
Audism spreads while good Deaf people do nothing!
Sincerely,
Paul Kiel and Shawn Elfrink
Deaf Rally 2012 Organizers
March 30, 2012
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
― Margaret Mead
Monday, March 12, 2012
Paul's Commentary: A Lesson Learned at EHDI!
I agree with others about how things need to be done. I did learn a lot about EHDI the past few years. It was encouraging to see more Deaf leaders getting involved in or out of EHDI. Not 50% but yes, legally 51% – this gives deaf consumers of education and services more say in policies and procedures affecting us all.
Unfortunately, this year we saw some red flags caused by none other than Karl White the last year. Enough evidence is LOUD and CLEAR in several states. We need to nip it in the bud. We did not realize we were coming to heads with him.
Audism Free America was trying to balance the needs for the Deaf Community with EHDI. That guy REFUSED to budge any further after listening to the list of demands. So the group did walk out KNOWING it is waste of time dealing with the guy who had this attitude of “my way or the highway”.
I also observed his paternalistic behavior towards deaf people at the hotel. He had army of rent cops to handle his requests here or there. The real police did nothing but respected our rights of making presence known. We respected the rules such as staying off the cordoned area and where lines are drawn such as food court and other areas of hotel (commons).
Some of us had rooms at same hotel so we did mingle here or there. We did socialize in the lobby and bars.
That so-called leader of EHDI did alienate and intimidated several deaf leaders at the conference. It was easy to notice and be alert to his further actions from Saturday to Tuesday. There are stories coming out of the St. Louis Union Station about the air being thick of paternalism and profiling.
Several of my friends witnessed what happened at DBC booth and it was oppression LOUD and CLEAR! We were simply talking about Mrs. Moog's message to the world. It was packed with LIES!. One Deaf educator tried to tell Karl White and the security guy that John Egbert was telling the TRUTH! Only that angry man demanded it be taken down or else! (He threatened to shut down DBC booth - it reeks of audism LOUD and CLEAR!)
Guess the days of being nice, polite and respectful are being numbered. It is time to raise the sabre! It is time to tighten so many loose screws in deaf education as well as deaf human services.
We need new laws with more teeth to protect our American Sign Language and Deaf culture. I recommend reading those books: FORBIDDEN SIGNS: American Culture and the Campaign Against Sign Language by Douglas C. Baynton and The Mask of Benevolence: Disabling the Deaf Community by Harlan Lane. This is where we are ready to draw lines with those hearing people who are abusing the system.
Let me quote Desmond Tutu’s quote:
“To be neutral in a situation of injustice is to have chosen sides already. It is to support the status quo.”
So onward we go to combat audism! What we did at oral schools and children’s hospital. We were peaceful and loving. We simply opened deaf children’s eyes by exposing ASL to them. It is disgusting how they oppress them from the beautiful American Sign Language. We simply distributed information here or there.
Why hide the truth? We simply are lighting up the dark corners of audism by exposing the wrongs. You know it, too and why be silent?
Why hide the truth? We simply are lighting up the dark corners of audism by exposing the wrongs. You know it, too and why be silent?
I look forward to more rallies at future events. If I had to do it all over again, I will do it! No more or less! It was a lesson learned at EHDI! I thank the Man upstairs for His guidance.
Sincerely,
Paul Kiel
St. Louis, Mo
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Time to take down the Mask of Benevolence!
After reading "FORBIDDEN SIGNS: American Culture and the Campaign Against Sign Language" by Douglas C. Baynton and "The Mask of Benevolence: Disabling the Deaf Community" By Harlan Lane, it gives me more conviction to continue being the deaf rights activist and deaf advocate. It is very important to STAND up to those audists.
After recent experiences at EHDI, it is imperative that we continue to campaign against those hearing peopple who are abusing the deaf community. The current events show their disregard to the real needs of the deaf community. Those hearing people conintue, I stress, continue to abuse the deaf education.
It is time to stop being nice and polite! A recent experience of paternalism and oppression at EHDI is enough to get busy for next rally and make those demands be met! AFA (Audism Free America) will continue reminding everyone that it is still necessary to continue the battle for truth, understanding, compassion and protection of American Sign Language and our proud Deaf culture.
Onward we go!
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Thanks for making Deaf Rally 2012 successful!
St. Louis Deaf Community,
We want to thank everyone for making Deaf Rally 2012 a successful event.
I am attaching a thank you note.
We are carrying a truthful message to the world.
We simply want to reduce audism in our hometown of St. Louis as well as in other places.
We are experiencing a 2nd wave of Oralism - please see Baynton's book "Forbidden Signs: American Culture and the Campaign Against Sign Language." I also recommend reading Harlan Lane's book, "Mask of Benevolence: Disabling the Deaf Community."
Lately, there has been more hearing people manipulating the deaf education system to the point that they are twisting truth to profit on innocent children and adults. There are stories about unpleasant experiences endured by those people who fell through cracks.
The recent EHDI conference gave us the opportunity to unmask the face of St. Louis.
It is time to make changes and improve the deaf education programs for the benefit of deaf children.
It is time to allow deaf children to use sign language. They are sending a powerful message. It said, "A.G. Bell, tear down this wall!" Why deny the right to deaf babies? It is ironic how they allow hearing babies to sign. Get this drift?
Lastly, let me please quote Desmond Tutu's quote:
"If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor."
If you like to have a group together to discuss what we can do to reduce audism, please let me know and I will be happy to explain more about it.
Sincerely,
Paul J. Kiel
Deaf Rally 2012 Organizer
Deaf Rally 2012 on Facebook
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Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Paul's Commentary: KW created a climate of fear at EHDI!!
KW created a climate of fear at EHDI!
He did not respect our freedom of speech and not even respecting the truth about our American Sign Language and Deaf Culture.
We are collecting stories of deaf people complaining about the treatment and profiling of them being at EHDI Conference.....what a disrespect!!!!
KW and his troopers even hassled a group of deaf students from a state school for deaf (in other state), harrassed many deaf people, even some hearing people who are close to deaf, and more -- he even jumped on one famous deaf person and ordered him to take Moog poster down -- one deaf educator confronted him and said the poster is telling truth.
Karl White (KW) had the gall to demand that John Egbert (DBC) to take it down or else. You can see this man who witnessed the situation. See this video below.
KW threatened to close his booth if it is not done in 30 seconds. His troopers were all over the hotel grounds harrassing many deaf people -- and did NOT bother to ask hearing people and even those without badges. The troopers were harrassing and warning deaf people trying to visit friends in the commons area.
KW had created intimidating and police state at the hotel with deaf people. That is CLEARLY audism happening!!!! Paternalism was heavy in the air and there was NO culture sensitivity!!!
One of friends called the hotel to find out about hours of bars....they usually closed at midnight - but somewhat we felt that we were "discriminated" when they closed early last night. We were having good time and yet, they made excuses saying pop up event...go figure.
One of his troopers was rude to a daughter of a famous deaf man -- the trooper ordered the poor mother and her baby in stroller out of the building. She was trying to see her dad at his booth, but got booted.
KW was jumping all over and demanding they not show anything negative when it was actually TRUTH and what ASL works for deaf children and adults.
Some deaf visitors were disgusted with his troopers. You know deaf people tend to chat with deaf people across the room or a bit far away from where you stand... we use our eyes to catch communication from each other. The troopers had gall to evict those innocent deaf bystanders.
KW has been alienating a lot of people today. He even commented to a group of attendees that he was worn out from being up late to 11:30 p.m. and blamed on the protestors and their activities late.....BUT the conference attendees caught him saying a LIE!!! They saw the deaf group having drinks and eating meals in the open space area where everyone saw the deaf group. Now everyone knows KW is lying like a dog!
KW has been getting paranoid and demanding some people to stop loaning badges to non-attendees. There is no proof it actually happened?
KW reached another paranoid episode when he went to his room. He saw a red light indicating that he has message on phone. He picked it up and the message said that there was a package waiting for him at the door. He overreacted and called the desk thinking it was a bomb. Then there was a confusion of someone sending a message to a wrong room. There was no bomb at all.
KW has been instilling fears in conference attendees to the point where one deaf person was attacked. He created a climate of fear and raised his own paronia that he is being attacked by deaf all day.
With his disrespect for deaf professionals and this week's conference, we would like him to resign and be "blacklisted" from serving on any groups or committees that affects policies and procedures for the deaf children and adults. He is indeed a dangerous man and he should be BANNED from deaf issues.
KW has crossed the line and it is time to make a formal complaint against him by contacting various agencies and groups.
AAP - American Academy of Pediatrics (Sponsor of the EHDI conference)
CDC - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Sponsor of the EHDI conference)
HRSA - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Health Resources and Services Administration (Sponsor of the EHDI conference)
NCHAM - National Center for Hearing Assessment & Management at Utah State University (Sponsor of the EHDI conference)
USU - Utah State University (he works there and we need to report to his supervisors of his behavior.)
NAD - National Association of the Deaf ( ask NAD to represent us in making formal complaint. )
DOJ - Department of Justice ( file a formal complaint for investigation into his oppressive behavior.)
MCHR - Missouri Commission for Human Rights ( file a formal complaint for investigation into his oppressive behavior.)
MCDHH - Missouri Commission for Deaf and Hard of Hearing. ( file a formal complaint for investigation into his oppressive behavior.)
More information will be available soon to list contacts and mailing addresses.
It is time to stop him in tracks! He is NOT qualified to handle deaf matters!
Disclaimer: I am reporting events as it happened. I want to thank a friend for the use of video of my friend who witnessed the situation. I want to thank some friends for some advices as I prepared this story.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Paul's Commentary: Karl White, the Deaf Oppressor
This vlog is an expression of my own and my experience witnessing the events that happened yesterday at EHDI conference in St. Louis, Missouri at Marriott Union Station. There were intense moments when Karl White stonewalled us. The proof is in pudding by witnessing the videos I am presenting as evidence of his disregard for our proud Deaf culture.
I view him as the Deaf Oppressor.
What is oppression?
Oppression is the exercise of authority or power in a burdensome, cruel, or unjust manner.[1] It can also be defined as an act or instance of oppressing, the state of being oppressed, and the feeling of being heavily burdened, mentally or physically, by troubles, adverse conditions, and anxiety.
Paul's Commentary: Karl White the Deaf Oppressor:
If you can take the time to look at all the videos, you will see how dangerous he is leading the cause to eradicte deafness from this face of earth. He is behaving like Alexander Graham Bell when he tried to tell the United States Congress about elimination of deafness from the face of Earth.
The Intense Moments between EHDI and the deaf group:
He is spearheading the drive to force many families to use cochlear implants. My personal question is: Is he profiteering from all the hoopla he is causing? Please understand that I am just interpreting his actions lately according to his papers and his attitude towards the Deaf community. The videos I am providing are a living proof.
*Disclaimer: This vlog/comments are my own. I do not represent any organization or group in making this commentary. It comes from my heart. I cried all night after witnessing the situation unfolded at the EHDI Conference. I have given him a nickname: "Darth Vader". He is acting like him. That makes us feel like rebels united together to this kind of oppression.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Celebrating Deaf Victories
Tonight's program, "Celebrating Deaf Victories" was exciting and learning experience for everyone. Many icons of the Deaf community were on hand to share stories and motivate one another for having rallies to promote interest in truth. Show the world that we have stories to share and expose the fraud and abuses conducted by those hearing people who thinks they have the answers.
There are 45 pictures of that exciting event on Facebook. You can copy and paste this link to see more about what developed that night.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3476953091221.2166532.1493060158&type=1
**BREAKING NEWS! Karl White the Eugenicist did walk out of the meeting from AFA representatives. They tried to reason with him to reduce audism and abuses. I let AFA give more details about that meeting. Keep your eyes peeled for AFA reports.
Candlelight Vigil at old St. Joseph's in St. Louis
After Celebrating Deaf Victories program at deaf club, the group travelled to the old St. Joseph Institute for the Deaf where abuses went on for more than 50 years and the fact that same school started in 1837 as sign language program school. It was switched to oralism in 1934.
The former students of St. Joseph's recounted their terrible experiences at the old school. Then the group lit the candles and said prayers.
We give thanks to Freedom School that now owns the school for letting us use their property to hold a candlelight vigil!
Saturday, March 3, 2012
For updates on Deaf Rally 2012 @thedeafwire
For updates on Deaf Rally 2012 in St. Louis during EHDI conference. It will pass on information about AFA, DBC, DHF, NAD and other deaf activism groups.
go to twitter.com and sign up to join and follow @thedeafwire.
Thanks,
Paul
Thursday, March 1, 2012
ALERT! ALERT! PLEASE HOST A CANDELIGHT VIGIL IN YOUR HOMETOWN!
ALERT! ALERT! PLEASE HOST A CANDLELIGHT VIGIL IN YOUR HOMETOWN!
How about having a candelight vigil in your hometowns across the America? WE need to show these peeps at EHDI that we are SERIOUS about turning the tide! We will hold the candlelight vigil with AFA, DBC and DHF at 9:30 p.m. (Central time) in St. Louis, Missouri Saturday night, March 3!
Washington D.C. is doing it.
What about you?
*waving hands up in air* will you please light a candle and follow us at your time zone?
West coast 7:30 p.m.
Mountain 8:30 p.m
Central 9:30 p.m.
East 10:30 p.m.
Post your pictures on FB at Deaf Rally 2012 to show the world we mean it!
Take pictures of every candlelight vigil for Saturday, March 3, 2012 at designated time zones you are in.
This will help make my day! I simply want to send the message to the hearing people that they cannot screw or mess up our Deaf lives anymore!
Time to take a STAND!
Thank you,
Paul Kiel
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