The book “Introduction to American Deaf Culture” provides the best perspectives on the experiences and lives of deaf people. The third chapter examines the individuals and communities encompassed within the Deaf Culture (DC). According to the author, the word “deaf” refers to individuals who use ASLs. According to the book, “such individuals are critical members of the deaf culture or society” (Holcomb 38). Many deaf individuals also “encounter delays or difficulties in language development” (Holcomb 39).
A deaf person can have some hearing abilities. The individual can also be able to use various sign languages” (Holcomb 40). Such individuals should also have deaf friends. Such attributes are necessary towards ensuring these individuals are part of the deaf community (Holcomb 42). Four common labels exist within the community. These labels are “hearing impaired”, “hearing”, “hearing-but”, and “hard-of-hearing” (Holcomb 42). Such people want to be called “deaf”. The author also explains why the deaf “want to be informed about individuals who have succeeded in life” (Holcomb 52).
The society should not view deaf people as disabled or incapacitated. The fourth chapter “Deafhood: A Personal Journey Toward Self-Actualization” presents a new scenario associated with the Deaf Culture. The second scenario is that “a culturally deaf person will undertake a long and difficult journey in order to discover his or her identity” (Holcomb 60). Many deaf people in our country are working hard in order to achieve their personal goals. This journey is necessary because the society is unable to take care of their needs and expectations.
Many people in our world treat every deaf person as incompetent and incapable of having a better life. Deaf people have decided to embrace their lives. They have also focused on better ideas towards self-actualization. This journey is not easy. Every deaf person must go through certain stages in order to have a positive identity. Such journeys and ambitions make it easier for the author to identify the variations associated with the above culture. Every deaf person should take a personal journey in order to have a better life.
According to the second chapter, the Deaf Community has decided to take its journey in order to achieve its goals. This is the right path towards self-actualization. The author presents the best findings and analyses about the issues encountered by these deaf people. I strongly believe that our society has a duty to protect and support these people. Our society should support the Deaf Community in order to undertake its vital journey towards self-actualization. The challenges encountered by these individuals make it impossible for them to realize their goals.
The “culturally deaf population continues to encounter numerous challenges in many parts of the world” (Holcomb 63). The progression of their identities has resulted in different variations among these people. This analysis is relevant because it makes it easier for the reader to understand the plight of this community. Such insights are critical towards promoting the best ideas that can support this community. The deaf also possess some of the best skills and competencies towards achieving their goals.
They want the society to view them as persons with linguistic difficulties. According to the chapter, “the experiences of many linguistic minorities in many parts of the world are similar to those of every deaf individual in the society” (Holcomb 55). These minority groups will always struggle in order to access quality services or adequate education.
They also lack the required information about their respective cultural backgrounds. Such individuals label themselves as linguistic minorities. However, the society identifies them as incapacitated individuals. Our society must respect these deaf persons. The society should treat them as individuals who are capable of realizing their potentials. It is necessary for the society to help and support the deaf in order to achieve their goals.
The author of this book presents the best discussions about the issues associated with the Deaf Community. Our society should not treat these individuals as incapacitated because they can achieve their goals. Chapter 4 identifies different journeys undertaken by every deaf person in our community. We should treat the deaf as individuals who have minimal abilities towards acquiring the best skills in linguistics. This is the major challenge affecting them as they attempt to achieve their goals.
The society should not engage in inappropriate practices such as discrimination and prejudice. Such malpractices will always affect the fate of this population. The author identifies these issues because they can support many deaf persons in our society (Holcomb 62). The culturally deaf might be described using different terms and words.
The society must be ready to address the challenges encountered by these deaf communities. The practice will make it easier for them to achieve their goals. This book by Thomas Holcomb is relevant because it offers some of the best ideas towards supporting the deaf community. I am encouraging more readers to purchase this book in order to support these deaf individuals. The book informs readers about the future of this community.
Works Cited
Holcomb, Thomas. Introduction to American Deaf Culture. New York: Oxford University Press, 2012. Print.