Ch 24

     This chapter was a bit on an eye opener foe me. I feel like I understand the Deaf culture even better now. "Some Deaf people consider themselves guardians of Deaf culture, an embattled way of life, and are fiercely protective of ASL" (147). ASL, like most other languages are changing over time. New signs are being added or a different way to sign a certain word is being added. The Deaf community is very protective of their language, and after reading this chapter I don't blame them.One thing the Deaf community cannot stand is the fact that hearing people are learning ASL and taking their jobs away. Deaf people are limited already in the jibs they can and can't have. Hearing people who are learning ASL are taking away the Deaf cultures jobs. I'm sure everyone at some point in their lifetime has heard a white man make a comment about how the Mexicans are taking all of their jobs. This is how the Deaf feel about the hearing, and I don't blame them.
     Another thing that the Deaf are not a fan of is the fact that some of the hearing people learning to sign are learning it for the wrong reasons. "Deaf people rightfully resent the attitude 'I'm going to become fluent in Sign so I can help the Deaf, interpret for them, save them'" (149). I can't sympathize with the Deaf, but I can empathize. If I knew someone was trying to just make money off my disability without having my best interest I would be mad too. In a way I can sympathize. I have a vision problem. I sometimes have had note takers who only take the note taking job for the money. They are awful note takers, which means I have awful notes too. The same goes for interpreters in the Deaf community.  

Works Cited

Morre, S. Matthew, and Linda Levitan. For Hearing People Only. 3rd Ed. Rochester, New York: MSM Productions, Ltd.,2003.Print.