Deaf Nationalism

Few would disagree that language is key to nationalism.  As we have recently seen, some politicians have attempted to assure that only those who speak English can function in America. In Japan, you are considered Japanese if you can speak Japanese.  You can be from central Texas and still be considered Japanese if you speak their language.  However, the deaf community, without a doubt, takes the most pride in their language American Sign Language (or as I'll call it ASL).  This makes sense because their disability (although many deaf people would contest its not a disability) is directly related to a hinderance at being able to communicate verbally.  ASL is not like english even though almost all deaf americans write in english.  ASL sentence structure is in arranged differently, "the" is never used, and complete sentences are not expected.  Because they speak ASL they do not consider themselves part of the English speaking community.  They have their own schools that they willingly choose to go to.  They have their own fashion, trends, and slang.  Many find Cochlear Implants and hearing aids insulting and useless.  At Gallaudet University, students and faculty essentially rioted and shut down campus in protest of having a hearing president who wanted to extend Gallaudet's student body to those who did not come from ASL speaking homes.  They did not stop until she was ousted.  Because of their hinderance to communicate with the hearing, many hearing people considered the deaf mentally retarded which is of course incredibly offensive.  On top of that, the most famous deaf person is Helen Keller who is disrespected on a regular basis.  I think if I was deaf I'd be bitter too and may want to isolate myself with those who have the same struggles and language as me to avoid condescension.