A recent post by Elon Musk posted in X.com, caused a range of responses from the Deaf and sign language community.
As we know, this question is a loaded question which is rampant from audism, oppression, and eugenics which led to language deprivation as well as experience deprivation within the Deaf community.
Truthfully, it was a triggering question for me but I had to put a pause on my emotions and dig in deeper on why I responded that way and why I felt that way. Once I acknowledged it, I had to look beyond just Elon Musk. I mean history repeats itself back to Alexander Graham Bell, Milan 1880, oralism, audism, and all that.
The question remains, “Why are influential people still missing out on the value of the Deaf community?”
As we know, there’s Deaf gain where we have sign language, sensory gain, increase in accessibility, diversity, etc.
So, what I can say, is likely the connection and the relationship between the Deaf community and these folks aren’t naturally organic or authentic. Conversations are likely to be superficial, and at best, at the surface level.
What I can simply say is that we continue to have conversations and get to know each other organically and authentically. These types of conversations are gateways to meaningful change and transformation as well as meaningful impact.
This won’t be the last I’ll be discussing this as I still have more thoughts to materialize as we go.