HEARING ALLYSHIP

When Deaf people are hurting, angry, downtrodden, bitter or downright mad we need you to listen. Just listen. We know you are a good person. We know you have a good heart. We know you are not intentionally causing harm. That isn't what this about. This isn't a personal attack. And even if it feels like one, or appears to be one at the outset, we need you to rise above it and understand the context of the emotion behind it. This is about unpacking and understanding the system we operate under; this is about recognizing implicit and systematic inequalities; this is about changing our awareness and how we think and speak and act. Put down your defenses and sit with us for a moment... We need hearing people: accomplices actively engaging in the practice of allyship to the sighted Deaf signing community.* Sound like something you would be interested in? Here are five things we need you to do.