A few weeks ago, my article ‘Is it time for deaf people to be a little less angry’ caused a lot of controversy online, and some people thought I should have been clearer about what I meant, so to address this, I’ve written this blog.
First, I wanted to get a few things cleared up. A lot of people seemed to take offence, which I didn’t intend to cause.
The article was not aimed at Deaf activists and I didn’t mention areas like Access to Work, the Government, healthcare, equality or even religion (?!).
I also didn’t say “Don’t be angry, ever!” which some people seemed to think I did.
So, to clarify, what I meant was:
“Deaf people can get angry for the wrong reasons, at the wrong people and maybe it would be better if we were a bit more relaxed sometimes.”
When I wrote this, I was trying to highlight things that I have personally witnessed.
Things like, for instance, people getting angry at others for not signing correctly/at all, or not being the “right kind” of Deaf person, not having enough hearing loss, not being Deaf from birth, having a cochlear implant, giving their children cochlear implants, being “just” a CODA, communicating verbally, etc.
The list goes on and on, but I feel that these are all topics worthy of their own articles, which is why I didn’t go into further detail.
After my article came out, I was called names, and bullied online, and so I hope that by writing this, people have a better understanding of what I was trying to address.
I have absolutely no quarrel with anyone who disagreed with the article in a polite and reasonable tone, in fact I have the utmost respect for you.
The issue of dealing with people responding to us negatively is one that is bubbling under the surface for many of us, from all walks of life and that’s what I was trying to address in the article.
Teresa is a contributing editor to this site. She is also a freelance film maker, photographer and full time cynic. At school, she was voted “Most likely to end up in a lunatic asylum”, a fate which has thus far been avoided. Her pet hates are telephones, intercoms and all living things.
Enjoying our eggs? Support The Limping Chicken:
The Limping Chicken is the world's most popular Deaf blog, and is edited by Deaf journalist, screenwriter and director Charlie Swinbourne.
Our posts represent the opinions of blog authors, they do not represent the site's views or those of the site's editor. Posting a blog does not imply agreement with a blog's content. Read our disclaimer here and read our privacy policy here.
Find out how to write for us by clicking here, and how to follow us by clicking here.
The site exists thanks to our supporters. Check them out below:
- BSL Zone: TV programmes in BSL for the Deaf community
- Deaf Umbrella: what support is available for deaf students?
- Bellman & Symfon: home alerting solutions, including the mobile phone transceiver!
- SignVideo: Instant BSL video interpreting online
- SignHealth: check out the BSL health library
- 999 BSL: call 999 in an emergency, in BSL
- Appa: Looking for RSLIs, TSLIs and CSWs, apply here!
- Signly: Adding BSL to websites
- Signworld: Learn BSL online!
- DCAL: world-class research into deafness, cognition and language
- Action Deafness: “A Deaf-Led Charity” – interpreting & community support services
- Sign Solutions: Instant access to Interpreters, training and BSL translation nationwide
- InterpretersLive: On demand BSL video interpretation
- Lipspeaker UK: specialist lipspeaking support
- BID: Deaf services, including advice and support, interpreting, employment and letters
- Performance Interpreting: BSL interpreting at concerts
- National Deaf Children's Society: The leading charity for deaf children
Tim Cole
May 2, 2014
Hey, hey… A big blank space and no angry rants! A reassuring sign that folk have moved on to hopefully not be angry elsewhere. I still believe the article was brilliant and brave, reflecting the issues raised.
Andy. Not him, me.
May 2, 2014
I am really sad and angered at the fact that you have been bullied simply because of expressing an opinion in here. That is just ridiculous and a sign that some people out there need help.
Unfortunately it seems to be par for the course in the deaf world, where people’s rights are simply ignored by those who “campaign” for equal rights!
I hope the following link will help you and anyone else in this situation.
http://www.report-it.org.uk/reporting_internet_hate_crime
Tim
May 2, 2014
When you put it like that it makes good sense. We often get angry with each other as a result of being yanked around by the people who really deserve the anger. Usually hearing people.
Oh Dear
May 2, 2014
Just read the original article and comments posted on April 7.
The article IS, in my humble opinion, light-hearted and funny. The cartoons were funny and do depict the behaviour of some deaf people……oooopppphsss sorry, Deaf people.
There are 4 things to consider here, all natural human rights.(as opposed to ‘man-made’ human rights) Freedom of expression, freedom of speech, property rights and voluntary contract.
Teresa wrote an article, which she IS allowed to do so under freedom of expression and freedom of speech. In sending the article to the editor who, as far as i know, owns Limping Chicken for the editor’s consideration entered into one side of a voluntary contract. The editor then published the article and can do so under one’s property rights. In doing so a voluntary contract was created between Teresa and the editor.
Today Teresa said, “After my article came out, I was called names, and bullied online”. No names was given which was rather forgiving of her as I would have no qualm in giving outs names. Teresa could have ignored all that if she understood the concept of ‘The word is not the thing’, which in turn would require an understanding of what it means.
However those who attacked Teresa article had failed to understand the 4 things to consider. One may debate an article, outline their opinions, but attacking the author of any articles is a misdirection. Any dissatisfaction should and always, be aimed at those who hold the property rights. Allow me to explain why below.
There is an old argument in the last century by those who want to restrict freedom of speech and those who don’t. The argument was based on a customer in a theatre shouting, “fire” for fun. Rather disturbing for other theatre goers. Do the person who shouted, “fire” have the freedom of speech to do so? One side says yes and the other side says no. Those who thought the person had the right to freedom of speech and should stay in the theatre as the person was a paid customer was wrong. Those who thought freedom of speech should be restricted and the person prosecuted was wrong. Rothbard, an economist, made it clear that both side were in fact wrong and why. The person who shouted, “fire” had the right to do so. The person who shouted “fire” should not face any prosecution under criminal laws as in doing so would infringe the person’s freedom of speech. However the theatre owner has the property rights to decide whether the person should be ejected from the theatre in order to keep other theatre goers happy. The final arbitrator belongs to those who has the property rights. Now, what would happen if the owner of the theatre defended the person who shouted, “fire”? The other customers would leave, direct their anger at the theatre owner and probably demand their money back. Par for the course these days.
The editor IS the final arbitrator of his property rights on Limping Chicken and the editor has made it clear in a subtle manner twice in the comments section of the article 7th April.
No one is force to read any articles on Limping Chicken and if you don’t like an article then direct your bullying at the Editor and not the author. However it would be better if deaf people…..ooooppphhsss Deaf people, were to apply higher level of thinking and understand ‘The word is not the thing’. Do remember the editor can exercise one’s property rights and ban you if you were to bully the editor.
Teresa, carry on doing what you want to do and ignore the minority of rabble rouser.
Editor, carry on exercising your property rights and allowing freedom of expression and speech to flow like water. Those who want to erect a dam can go to hell.
Liz Ward
May 2, 2014
Hi Teresa, thank you so much for clarifying what you meant. I’m sorry you were bullied, that’s terrible and you have every right to report that if you choose to. I wrote an article on the Treehouse blog about your article – I hope that my article didn’t come across as attacking in any way. I did feel that your article was a little bit vague which I think is what people picked up on, but I suppose it also highlighted how people felt about ‘anger’ in general. (My post is called On Anger and Passion in case you want to see it – it was our way of making sense of people’s reaction to the article).
I agree with you – yes I’ve noticed that people tend to in-fight or take quick offence at people expressing their opinions. It’s not easy to sort of hold back and examine your own reactions to things, after all, we’re only human and as deaf people have to deal with a lot coming up against barriers. Sometimes it’s hard to see the wood for the trees! I’ve experienced bullying in some spaces too, which makes it harder for people to get behind campaigns because they have been hurt and feel that they can’t contribute when they’ve lost confidence.
People need to feel they can contribute to campaigns, that we all have our views which are a mix of life experience and observation. But there shouldn’t be in-fighting. It makes us weaker and less able to move on and see what the solutions are. My policy is to read what people are saying, think about ways I agree and try to have respectful discourse without being too emotionally invested. If someone disagrees with me, I will try hard not to take it personally. It’s really hard on social media though.
Liz Ward
May 2, 2014
Also, we really need to be kind to each other as a community.
Natalya D
May 4, 2014
I wasn’t keen on your original article to be honest but I absolutely think Limping Chicken was right to publish it and I am really sorry you were bullied for posting it. Comments in the thread saying what they think (without being abusive) is one thing as you’ve noted, but I’m getting the impression that the bullying went out of that arena which is very much not OK.
We need to create space where we deaf peoples of all kinds CAN disagree with one another, even quite heatedly and accept that disagreement is not bad, but it is also not an excuse to bombard someone all over the web given that our communities are very small.
I hope the bullying has stopped and stays stopped for you.
Cathy
May 5, 2014
Teresa, Iam really sorry that you have been called names and bullied online for expressing your views. It is terrible behaviour from the deaf community, but it is not unusual behaviour at all and is quite normal unfortunately.
It is sad that we cannot seem to have reasoned debate with others views and opinions being listened to. This is a dreadful negative amongst the deaf and we need to be rid of such ‘bully boy’ tactics as they serve no purpose whatsoever!
We cannot expect to make inroads into mainstream life nor expect hearing communities to understand our causes whilst we are so disharmonised ourselves.
We should learn to rise above ‘playground bullying’ and start debating these issues as adults. This is the only way we shall be able to improve deaf people’s lives, especially for future generations.
It is time to grow up and show the world that we have the maturity to debate, discuss and make personal informed choices that are respected all round.
SJ
June 14, 2014
Hi Teresa, Kudos to you for being you – I wrote this to show my support to you which I hope others will appreciate too as there is still lots people need to learn. Keep on being you. Sara.
http://viewsfromthetreehouse.com/2014/06/14/never-look-down-on-someone-unless-you-are-helping-them-up/
Oh
November 10, 2014
I read it and here is my take. You want to minimize the problems people experience by suggesting they don’t understand something. In my experience, they understand very well what is happening to them. So naturally, you are at odds with the people who have issues they are trying to resolve.