CapriUni "RAAAuuUGH!!"s on YouTube.

[capri0mni]

In reply to this video: For Hearing Parents of Deaf Children, a year ago, someone wrote this:

(quote) My son is deaf. I learned to sign, but PSE [translation: pidgin signed English]. I have hard time understanding ASL. His daughter is deaf, she is almost 8. Her mom got her 2 CIs. The first when she was 1 and the second when she was 5. She wants to be deaf when she is with her dad. The judge just ordered that she must wear BOTH her CIs [translation: cochlear implant] all the time except for when she is bathing or swimming or wearing a helmet. She went without it for 4 days and now the mom can keep her deaf dad from seeing her if she wants. Well? Your opinion (unquote)

I came across that comment a few days later, and replied:

(quote) Grandma2jam -- My thoughts?

This is cruelty.

I am hearing, but I cannot understand how adults can, with a clear conscience, impinge on the personhood of a child like that. (actually, I can understand it -- it stems from centuries of mis-informed prejudice that continues to go unchallenged -- it just makes me incredibly sad)

CIs may be wonderful for some people, but to force them on a child who can't fight back, just because you don't want to learn sign? The mind boggles. (unquote)

A year goes by, and I forget that I made that comment (in the meantime, it gets two *thumbs up*).

Then, at 2:14:44 pm today, I get a note in my email from YouTube that someone has replied to that comment, thusly:

(quote) @CapriUni Do you have a deaf fetish? Do you think any sane parent would deny their child the right to hear? I would cut off a hand or a leg if it would give my deaf child the opportunity to hear and open more doors opportunity. Parents love their children, their concern is for their children. Not the feelings of the so-called deaf community. They don't care if the so-called deaf community is offended, they are focused on their children That is why more and more children are getting CI's . (unquote)

I can't let that sit. I know I shouldn't feed the nasty trolls, but... that comment about "cut off a hand or leg..." is just an insult too far.

Here's my immediate response:

(quote) @goodgirlkay Of all the ableist *. No. I do not have a "deaf fetish." I have, however, made Deaf friends, and studied the language [AN: I should have said "ASL," I know]. It's not deafness that fractures the Deaf community, it's their loving families, who are too afraid of difference to let their children use their natural language.

Also, I have cerebral palsy, and am active in the physically disabled community (and yes, we're a real community, too) So speaking of limb loss that way does not impress. (unquote)

A few minutes later, I realized I hadn't come close to what I really needed to say -- that first response was all about MEEEE. But, it turns out you can't delete a comment, once you've posted it to YT, they way you can with LJ or DW, so I posted this additional comment:

(quote) @goodgirlkay I'm sorry. My last reply was written in anger, and came out with more rage than clarity, I fear. Let me try to put it more succinctly: You'd cut off a hand or leg so your child could hear. You're clearly willing to pay for an expensive and risky operation. Are you willing to put in the energy and time to learn Sign Language? Are you brave enough to let your child have Deaf mentors, so that when techology fails, your child will still have a voice and the wisdom to use it? (unquote)

And now I'm done with that exchange, I think. If she replies to me again, I'll just give her a down vote.

It's just -- GRahAugh! I've seen so many able-bodied parents (in life and quoted in popular media) say "I'd do ANYTHING for my child (Waah)!!" where "anything for my child" really means: Put my child through a whole bunch of crap.

grah.

I'd like ice cream and cookies, and a pony with glitter now, please -- or fun and silly, creative and good YouTube recs, or book recs, or picture recss, or... something (whichever is easier)

Comments

[meloukhia]

What I recommend to everyone who needs to get lost in cute things for a bit: Kittenwar. I love kittenwar because it has no macros, and thus you aren't happily tootling along and then brought up short by some random -ism users think is hilarious. It's just kittens. Being cute. It is my home/escape page for a reason.

[capri0mni]

Thank you. I've known about kittenwar for a while, but can so easily forget (And that's what friends are for -- that, and scratching *that* itch on your back).

[meloukhia]

There's also Rate My Kitten, of course, but I feel kind of awkward having to assign numerical ratings, instead of subjectively deciding which kitten is cuter. I want to give them all 10s, really.

[capri0mni]

*Checks out RMK*

Yes. Might as well just park my cursor over "10" and keep clicking.

...Also, the "titles" can have a similar side effect to macros. ...And the kitten may be cute, but I don't want to endorse a human dressing him or her up in sweaters and bows...

[kellan_the_tabby]

Sleepy puppy.

[capri0mni]

D'awww! (Also, as soon as I clicked the link, my cat Trixie hopped up on the back of my chair and then stepped in front of the monitor -- "don't look at the dog -- look at me!" LOL)

[kellan_the_tabby]

*cackle* I do love cats! (Currently have Loiosh on the desk demanding LOVE NOW MOM LOVE)

[capri0mni]

Dogs and cats each have their own senses of humor and self, that's for sure. (I wonder if sense of humor and sense of self are really two expressions of the same thing...)

[kellan_the_tabby]

I think you'd need the self to get the humor...and hopefully the other way round, as well.

Stopped in at the pet store Sunday with Loiosh and found the place full of pit bull puppies -- a local breed rescue hoping to find them some good homes. I love puppies but the one that really drew me was a HUGE yearling grey boy -- with a big smile and a smartass temperament. I was so tempted...

[spiralsheep]

First Rule of T'interwebz: never read the comments!

[capri0mni]

Yes, but this was a reply made especially to me. And, I think, bigotry and deliberate ignorance have to be answered, sometimes. I probably will never change the troll's mind, but I might sway a silent reader who hasn't thought about the issue.