October 26, 2008
Is ASL Deaf community sexy? Critique of Ryan Commerson’s “Re-defining Deaf”
If you have not seen Ryan Commerson’s film discussion about Deaf people, media, and current thinking about our language-cultural representation in media, watch his film atRe-defining Deaf by Ryan Commerson 2008
Please kindly accept me not being able to type up a translation of my discussion in ASL right away, I will try to post a text shortly when I am able to. I wish not to miss the opportunity to follow up Ryan’s presentation given the matter of timing. Also this time I am able to try to follow your contribution in commentary. I am open to any input as long as it is civil and sexy enough.
15 Responses to “Is ASL Deaf community sexy? Critique of Ryan Commerson’s “Re-defining Deaf””
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Anne Marie's metaASL is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.
Anne Marie's metaASL is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.
October 26th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
Hi Anne Marie!
Quite interesting… I need to see it. Unfortunately it crashed and won’t be available until November 1st - that’s how popular it’s gotten with us in the Deaf Community!
I’ve personally discovered that intelligence is quite sexy to many. So that probably is one large component of what Ryan’s trying to point out in the film. After all, when someone clearly knows what they’re talking about, is clear and straight-forward, doesn’t diminish anyone, and genuinely wants to help others understand whatever’s being discussed… That is damn attractive.
No need for us in the Deaf Community to dress up sexily. You all won’t catch me dead doing that.
October 26th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
Hello Anne
I agree with you and we should try like what you say on your vlog.
I have seen this film even DL it for repeat view on my computer to make sure i UNDERSTAND this…
Thanks and good vlog.
Brian M
October 26th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
Upon watching the film for second time, I realized I missed the peeling-transitioning of the film image from a combined image of Children of Lesser God and Johnny Belinda into that present image of the lady and man making love…it has to do something with us changing negative/stereotypes images out there into the present postiive reality that we are human/sexy.
That Children of Lesser God image was of deaf boys saying it was worth to learn speech to pick up hearing girls and the Johnny Belinda image was a rape scene (right?). Those images are old…most of the images we have now is of television (mostly of Marlee Matlin)…why didn’t Ryan and Wayne use more current images which are still negative.
Maybe they just wanted to say to hearies…to pick up deaf girls, learn sign language.
grin
October 26th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
Comment #3, can you explain why it is still negative?
October 26th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
ohhhh maybe I can’t think of a current negative image…how about the movies/films of deaf people getting cochlear implants…how about the one episode of CSI? (was it a negative portrayal?) C
an you think of one?
October 26th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
That clarifies a bit, you mean generally the portrayal of our group is still negative. So are you saying what Ryan and Wayne are trying to show in this video work is still negative?
Anne Marie
October 26th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
I saw Ryan’s movie and greatly appreciated his deep thinking. Many scholars were quite excited about his work and contacted him. Also, the NTID is interested in his film and has contacted him. FACEBOOK shows over 500 members, myself included, joining Ryan’s group.
Like in some paintings (I am an artist), sexiness was marvelously juxtaposed with the Ryan Commerson movie. He is a Renaissance man! We must guard his work jealously against those who are jealous of or criticise his work.
October 26th, 2008 at 11:14 pm
Or those who forever cling on in such unromantic place like Deaf club with fluorescent light drinking Pabst Blue Ribbon beer weeping nostalgic..
October 27th, 2008 at 12:12 am
I have just received a FACEBOOK email from Ryan and would like to share it with Deaf readers some of whom are not members of FACEBOOK. It reads as follows:
October 27th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
I have not seen the movie yet. From what you’re saying, I’m not sure if I’m understanding the point of that movie. It’s obvious that sex sells. It’s obvious that if you’re gonna market or sell something, you have to have something that is attractive and sexy. So, are you saying that with the technology we have, deaf people need to be more creative with their vlogs and use every means possible to attract viewers with whatever good points they have going for them, their sultry eyes? pouting lips? Mannerism? clothing?
I guess I’ll have to wait to see that movie.
October 27th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Candy,
I understand you haven’t seen but maybe you know RC’s website will be resume on nov. 1… it is worth to wait and you might like to download for repeat view cuz it is little hard to understand. i been watch 4 times and still do till i fully understand.
October 28th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Hi Ann Marie Baer,
Great vlog posting to share your critique and ponders what Ryan Commerson’s new online media film!
One thing I respectfully disagree about your economic interests for cochlearizing deaf children to succeed in life. CI itself often become impractical and costly and ineffective and burdensome than uplifting deaf youngsters and adults to more pragmatic and functional and economical aspect of sign communication and diverse cultures and way of life within our own humankind.
This comment is under the copyright protection and must ask me for my own permission for quoting me in any of the readers and scholars’ works, etc.
I have not seen Ryan’s film yet. I will do this week when time permits.
Oh boy, you and your kid brother, Joey have much resemblance in signing styles and non-manual expressions. Smile!
Robert L. Mason
RLMDEAF blog
rlmdeaf@hotmail.com
October 28th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
I did not mean that our economy interest has to do with cochlearizing deaf infants and kids. More we need to protect our economy interest when it comes to the public perspectives and expectancy that only some individuals will be able to function well in hearing world with still plenty that must be continually protected with anti discrimination laws and funds.
If we become more savvy with marketing ourselves, that is, being sexy sometimes will make difference. : )
Unfortunately many of us do not have a chance to review Ryan’s work for more fruitful discussion we could have here, that is alright. The foremost of all in this discussion we have glimpsed just for now, the Deaf pundit is putly right that levelheadedness is indeed sexy. Of course, what is the difference between Obama and McCoughain? : D
October 28th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
Ann Marie Baer,
Well-taken point! You are absolutely right about me and others ought to check out Ryan’s online film first before jumping in meaningful discussion.
Being deaf with the use of ASL and other visual communication is more connected with the concept of nature v. artificalism.
RLM
RLM
October 28th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
Yes RLM, something with so much of ambiguity between being natural to artificial and its compatibility where we already have seen good to utter destruction of it, in this sense.
That is why I see Jeannette’s main point about effective advocacy and marketing is indeed critical.
A Deaf Pundit: Effective advocacy and marketing 10/25/2008