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
###
