ASL Used In Music Video
I came across a music video called, “Soon We’ll Be Found” that incorporates American Sign Language in it, on one of the blogs that I frequent. I had to hunt it down on YouTube, so I could link it on here and when I found it, I found this excerpt from the more info section very interesting.
“I’ve always been obsessed with the beauty of sign language,” says Sia. “The movement and expression just appears, to ignorant-hearing-me as a dance… a beautiful, emotive dance. But the real beauty is that, hidden in these perfect shapes, is communication.”
I watched the video, and I have mixed feelings about it. On one hand, it is well done, and quite gorgeous to watch. The exposure we are getting about American Sign Language is great! And I find it very commendable that Sia, the singer of this video, knows that our language is more than just a pretty sight and that it is for communication.
On the other hand, this is very typical of hearing people – making a profit off American Sign Language, while we have educators pooh poohing the merits of the language to be used with deaf children. And this leads to the question of whether this could lead to the trivialization of our language? To be used in music videos and artistic endeavors and not be taken seriously for deaf children in education?
To me this is definitely progress – but in which direction? Trivialization or true acceptance?
I guess only time will tell…
Awkward Moments
If you’re an educated deaf person living in a small Deaf Community, you become well known quickly. And here where I live, in the same place where I grew up, I’m definitely a familiar face and name to many. This can cause some socially awkward moments though. I’m sure many of my fellow v/bloggers, especially those from Deaf families can empathize with me over this…
I was out at a fund raising event the other night, and I saw a group of women come in, and several were familiar faces, but one woman had such striking eyes that it captured my attention from across the room. Later that evening, a colleague of mine sat down with them, and I know I shouldn’t do this, but I’m too shy to randomly chat up complete strangers without some kind of introduction, so I took advantage of the opportunity and headed over there.
As I hoped, my colleague introduced me to the group, but he then also mentioned who my mother was, which was kind of inappropriate in that setting. One of the women said, “I know who you are. Good to see you again.”
Right. And I have no clue who this woman is. I’ve seen her at events before, but we have never talked, ever. It’s easy for people to remember who the deaf person is, especially someone like me and my colleague, because we’re well-educated and can carry on intellectual conversations. But that doesn’t mean just because they know who we are, also means we know who they are!
So I just smiled politely at her, unsure how to get her to introduce herself. Fortunately for me, or so I thought, the woman with the striking eyes then says, “Oh I’ve heard you and your mom’s names before. I’ve heard good things.”
“Which one of us?”I inquired. After all, both of us are well-known and in fact, I used to be known as her daughter. People would say my name and others would go, ‘Huh?’ then they would say, ‘She’s Celeste’s daughter.” An exclamation would usually follow, and I would be welcomed with open arms. *shakes head*
Though due to my activism that’s changed, fortunately. People no longer need to know who my mother is, to know who I am. A new twist appeared, however, by me asking that question, which turned this into an even more awkward situation. The eyes that were so captivating, narrowed just slightly, clearly a bit confused by the question. With a polite smile she said, “Your mom.”
….. *clears throat* ….. Only after that uncomfortable pause, proper introductions were finally made. *shakes head again*
And some of my friends wonder why I’m usually ill at ease at large social gatherings! 
