Rinkoo Barpaga is a Deaf British born Theatre-Maker, who uses British and urban sign language.
Throughout his 15-year career, he has been involved in media creation and has worked for the BBC, ITV, MTV as well as independent media productions. He is also involved in stand-up comedy, which he developed in New York City.
Below is his vlog in BSL about his experiences of racism in the Deaf community and how that led to directing his documentary Double Discrimination (which can be seen on the BSL Zone website by clicking here).
There are two versions of Rinkoo’s vlog, one with subtitles and one which is only in BSL, below.
Subtitled version
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MW
June 19, 2020
Rinkoo – thank you for sharing your life experience, sadness and frustration. I can empathise your frustration with the older deaf generation especially Deaf white people. I am of the older generation, white of course and also gay and I certainly have never judge people of race.
I have never enjoyed Deaf clubs in my teen and adulthood – there is something aggressive about that club culture.
I too have this double discrimination that I am not a “full deaf person” because I speak. I don’t often feel I don’t fit in and as you say we feel lost. I did and still do to this day.
I agree that the younger generation are much more aware and educated in the understanding deaf diversity, race, gender etc I think technology has been a boon here.
Seeing you present yourself with confidence – please don’t let “them” in the system put you down they will soon move on towards their maker. they are just bad apples.
We also need to stop the BSL police by encouraging them that they are not always right. Here is an example in the hearing world – once they use to say the N word now they don’t – indicate that they do change their attitude/behaviour and language. You might need to look how that works to do the same with deaf community.
BSL users need to be encouraged to adapt changes and to be more respectful and tolerant and not to get hooked up on their traditional values. The sign you used I have never seen them to be aware and I often use the bad signs as I have learnt them on my BSL sign language course. I stand corrected as you clearly shown what they should be – thank you for that.
You have articulated very well for me to appreciate what you are saying and do make a great leader in this field. Keep at it and I appreciate it is mentally draining – take time out every now and then to rest your well being.
Mary Carolan
June 19, 2020
A brave description from Rinkoo, of his experience of racism. Racism, unfortunately, exists everywhere.
I think it is appalling and sad, that in the 21st century, people are still judged by the colour of their skin.
Diana B Laing
June 20, 2020
Thank you for sharing your story. In Australia we have a diverse multicultural population, and although I go to deaf clubs on occasion, I always welcomed this concept of multicultural deaf folks. we do have indigenous deaf but mainly up north, Australia is a huge country so there may be other indigenous deaf in other states where they gather. I dont mind chatting to anyone of them, but yes I see I need to get inside their stories of racism, I had assumed that the deaf folks love every deaf person, no matter where they come from..I am now elderly and I dont go out much to Deaf events any more, maybe only small ones.. now I wont assume any more about lack of racism in any deaf groups. I am sorry what you had to go through, do not let this issue bog you down.. go ahead with pride of what you have done and be proud of yourself in your achievements so far. We all have red blood no matter the colour of our skins. Bless you..