Defining Deaf Culture Essay - 2071 Words

Imagine if you were a proud Native-American, or Hispanic and someone said that your culture is not real, that the way you were born is just a disability, and you should change to be more like everyone else. You would probably be quite offended. That is what the Deaf community has had to deal with constantly for the past 40 years because of the social unawareness of much of the hearing community. 90% of all deaf children are born to hearing parents who never thought much about the deaf community (Bat-Chava). That is why in mainstream society, the quality of being deaf is seen as a disability rather than something to be praised. The common view of deafness is that it is simply a person who cannot hear and â€Å"is deficient in some way because†¦show more content†¦Many feel strongly that the deaf do in fact have their own culture, Pat O’Doherty strongly stated: â€Å"I’m Deaf! Just like I’m American with a capital ‘A’, I’m Deaf with a capital ‘D’† (â€Å"Deaf, not Impaired†). It is widely believed that the only difference between deaf and hearing people is their means of communication. But the deaf have an entirely different culture complete with their own history, customs, and social etiquette. Though it is not acknowledged by many people, deaf culture should be considered as a legitimate culture. To classify a minority as possessing a culture, it is important to first examine the meaning and function of a culture. By definition, culture is: â€Å"the totality of socially transmitted behavior patterns, beliefs, institutions, and all other products of human work and thought characteristic of a community or population† (â€Å"Culture†- The American Heritage Dictionary). Language also plays a big part in defining culture, it is not just a way to communicate, but it also determines the way we think, and how we perceive the world around us (O’Neil). History is another c omponent of culture; it tells us where we have been and where we are going, and â€Å"shapes our views of the present† (â€Å"The Importance of History†). When a culture has well-founded history, it allows them to answer questions to existing problems (â€Å"The Importance of History†). â€Å"It has been said that he who controls the past controls the future† (â€Å"The Importance of History†).Show MoreRelatedDeaf Art Is More Than Just A Painting Or Drawing1715 Words   |  7 PagesDeaf Art Deaf art is more than just a painting or drawing. So, what exactly is Deaf art? Deaf art is something that can bring together the Deaf Community. The feelings that the Deaf experience are now brought onto a canvas. Art plays a huge role in the Deaf community. After all, the Deaf are thought of as the best visual people. Deaf artists bring their Deaf pride and pour their hearts out into their art works. They are great role models to the people in their community. The first Deaf artistsRead MoreIs Deafness a Disability or a Way of Living?1593 Words   |  7 PagesTwo centuries ago, the Deaf community arose in American society as a linguistic minority. Members of this community share a particular human condition, hearing impairment. However, the use of American Sign Language, as their main means of communicating, and attendance to a residential school for people with deafness also determine their entry to this micro-culture. Despite the fact that Deaf activists argue that their community is essentially an ethnic group, Deaf culture is certainly different fromRead More Ethnic Minorities in America Essay2219 Words   |  9 Pagesas women, homosexuals and people with disabilities. By definition, the hearing majority classifies Deaf people as minorities because of their inability to hear. 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