May 20, 2001

A copy of a letter that I sent to Press-Enterprise.
An open letter to the hearing community.

I read with great interest the article "School for Deaf in Turmoil" (5/14/01). The problem at CSDR is not a simple issue, but rather a very complicated multifaceted one. However, despite the complexity of the problem there is one underlying key cause that should be addressed. The understanding of which would greatly reduce the current tension at the school.

All of the problems at CSDR have occurred because of the simple following fact. The deaf are an oppressed minority. The hearing are the oppressors.

Historically, there have always been a few select well meaning benefactors to the deaf, who in their ignorance, while attempting to help, have held the deaf down and prevented them from reaching any great potential. There are several reasons for this. Benefactors exhibit several common characteristics:

* Benefactors believe that the group they are helping is misguided and cannot comprehend what is best for them.

* Benefactors believe that the group they are helping shares the same values as they the benefactors.

* Benefactors have a caretaker attitude towards those that they want to help.

* Benefactors resist any attempt of liberation of the group they are helping

* Benefactors need approval from the group they are assisting. They expect and need some expression of appreciation and gratitude from that group.

* Benefactors have a very negative attitude toward the group that they want to help.

Over hundred years ago a small group of wealthy and famous benefactors succeeded in deciding what was best for the deaf. None of them were deaf. Each of them exhibited the characteristics stated above. As a result Audism became the norm.

Audism comes from a physiological view of deafness, rather than a cultural one, and thus is something that needs to be fixed. Audism like racism and sexism is a negative label that is meant to oppress
rather than to uplift and assist.

The focus of Audism is "normalization" rather then education. Instead of teaching the basics of education ‹ reading, writing, math, science and the arts ‹ the time is spent learning to speak. Instead of learning to read books they are forced to learn how to read lips, and learning how to think is replaced with learning how to be "normal." Not only did the Audist benefactors fail to "normalize" the children, but they also produced several generations of deaf that have been held back because of the lack of a solid education. The only thing that the Audist produced was anger, resentment, shame and low self- esteem among the deaf. When I read deaf history or talk to the older generation of deaf and learn of what was done to them I am appalled. The article states that "Éin 1953, the accepted philosophy was to help deaf children adjust to the hearing world by teaching them to read lips or speak if they could. Sign language was used sparingly." This is the key philosophy established by the Audist. The article fails to mention this fact. It is important to remember that this was a philosophy established by the hearing community and forced upon the deaf.

But now that we live in the twenty-first century and we are enlightened community. The hearing community does not demand the same of the deaf today. Laws have been passed and everywhere the deaf have the same opportunity as those that hear. Access to communication is everywhere. Interpreters abound. And to show how far we have come, Dr. Stone was appointed a key position. Not only is she deaf, but is a woman. All is well!

Oh how I wish that was true. But the truth is that the hearing community continues to have an Audist approach to the deaf both in practice and believe. Not only do the events at CSDR support this fact but also there are plenty of examples through out the nation. There are schools that require the use of some variation of SEE (Signing Exact English) to educate deaf children. There are schools within Southern California that demand that the teacher voice and sign at the same time believing that it will build stronger English among the deaf. Yet there are no studies to show that this is true. However, there is plenty of evidence to show to the contrary. The law now requires interpreters for deaf students who are attending a ÒhearingÓ school. Certainly this is a move in the right direction. But many if not most of the interpreters are not qualified. Little or no testing is done and certification is not required at most schools. And where the strongest and most qualified interpreters are needed, at the pre-school and elementary level, the interpreters are often the weakest. This is not a condemnation of all interpreters, for some do not know any better plus there is a growing group that are working to improve their skills and to become certified. But those in power have allowed it to exist, and those in power are the hearing not the deaf. The deaf complain but the hearing benefactors ignore them. They deaf do not need to learn to talk. They need to be heard.

The article points out that the deaf have made several demands but that they all fell on deaf ears by those that claim they can hear. Why is Dr. Stone the first deaf person to head CSDR? Why isnÕt it required that the Supervisor be deaf. Because those that have the decision-making power over CSDR decided a hearing person was more qualified. Now that those in power have shown how gracious they can be by giving Dr. Stone a position of authority they are angry. They are angry that she has not expressed gratitude. They are angry because she is not following their agenda.

Dr. Stone has reached prominence only through perseverance, hard work and over coming the obstacles the hearing have placed before her. She did not achieve success because she is soft and willing to take a back seat. She did not come to follow the status quo but to lead in a new direction; a direction that will provide the deaf an excellent education, pride and a solid role model. The benefactors wanted her to show gratitude not leadership, and now they complain.

The article mentioned that the deaf teachers and students at CSDR are now taunting those that have weaker signing skills. While this should not be condoned, why should anyone be surprised that this happening?

The article quotes one of the teachers at CSDR saying, "Before Dr. Stone came, we had deaf people eating lunch with us all the time... Very shortly after Dr. Stone was appointed, that stopped. I donÕt hate deaf people. If we were discriminating against them somehow, why didnÕt they let us know?

The same quotes can be found from racist who controlled the blacks in the South. An oppressed minority will rarely speak up until several brave people come forward and risk everything. Once the oppressed have the freedom to express their pent-up emotions those who oppress are surprised at the anger and resentment shown.

Many of the troubles at CSDR could greatly be eased if there was an awareness of what created the problem. The problems at CSDR were not created by Dr. Stone specifically or the deaf in general. Audistic benefactors created the problems. Understanding and patience is the solution. It is important to understand that anger is going to be part of the process, and that rudeness, while not condoned, will be involved and must be addressed over time.

Time is an important factor. It takes time for changes to be made and attitudes to adjust and it will take several years before anyone can judge if Dr. Stone is right in her philosophy.

It is time that the deaf make the decisions concerning the deaf. If the deaf will lead and teach the deaf, great things will happen, and lives will be enriched.

The plight of the deaf today and the recent events at CSDR is the natural result of a hearing community imposing an Audist view on the deaf. It has been a dismal failure. It is now time for the deaf to have control. Control of their lives. Control of the their education. Control over their future.

Enclosing I feel it is important to state that I am not deaf. However, if the time comes that the line is drawn and arms are raised I will stand with the deaf. I will be in the forefront, not as a General but as a soldier. I would consider it an honor to serve under Dr. Stone and other like her.

While the problems at CSDR are many the solution is simple. The solution is Dr. Stone.

Richard E. Bernard