Irrationally speaking

To Mary, who encouraged me to share more personally. The problem with arguing rationally about issues of identity is that one risks missing the forest for the trees. In a formal sense, a position should stand exclusively on the merit of its arguments. But often the central reason for arguing is personal and irrational. In …

Deafhood unheard

There's a poignant sign to start my story if I were telling it in ASL. You take your index finger like a hook, and drag it across your forehead. It figuratively suggests having something scarred in your brain, and translates to "I'll never forget." The reminder is of the importance of Deafhood, and lately, of …

The Definition of Deaf

Only one in a thousand are profoundly deaf before eighteen. Add that to the fact that deafhood is not worn on the sleeves makes it particularly unimposing on the lives of hearing. Yet it is a hearing society that has defined the deaf "what to do about them." Imagine living by an outsider's definition. Even …