Loving so much the Deaf acting, I was so thrilled to find out about the ASL Slam nights in NY that showcase many different types of Deaf artists. Since the beginning of my "journey" I have been trying to make time to go see the performances they have every month, but first it was on friday's, which was almost impossible to leave early from work to be there on time, not to mention that even if I could, on a friday my head was already so out there that I could barely remember my name, let alone that I should be going to the city. Anyway, not the best excuse, but oh well..I really have been postponing this adventure until last week when I found out that the day has changed to saturday and the guest artist would be, the so nice, Braam Jordaan. Great cgi artist and movie maker. Some few familiar faces from my first time working on the NY Deaf Theater play were there briefly and, of course, the famous Douglas Ridloff with his family.
Unfortunately, I was too late for the happy hour and I was not able to do some major mingling, but I caught the whole presentation. Since I was alone in the city (my friend had an emergency and couldn't go) and I do not like alcoholic drinks, there was no point for me to stay at the bar after the presentation so I left right after it and again, could not mingle too much. As I felt the same way when I was on the fund raising of KODA West in CA, everyone seems to know each other and they talk among themselves, I'm still an outsider and I'm still unsecured about my ASL ability and proficiency. But next time I'll make sure I will be early enough.
I got to say that I loved the environment, even feeling an outsider, but there were some lack of "reasonable accommodation" (Haha, loved this quote from one of Braam's tweets) that made me a little frustrated with this experience. Seating in the middle of the audience, it was extremely hard to see the host and the guest speaker signing, even though the stage is a bit high. Suggestion, a tall bar stool on stage to make the guest and the host sit on a higher range so we could see from the back?? Also, as a hearing person, even though I could not see the signing on stage I could have had the info from the interpreters, BUT, and a big but here, the interpreters were not saying everything being signed, many times it was a long pause and lack of speech from them, and not to mention that even with the microphone, one of them spoke so low that I couldn't hear a word he was saying. Summarizing the experience, I didn't get all the information being given by Braam on that day, and the little bit I got was when I moved around a little and the people in front of me moved too and I could see him signing. That's when, again I totally agree with the quote: Access is having the information in the original language. And I know all about that. Being from Brazil, I always hated when I watched an american movie there that was dubbed to Portuguese, the expressions, the intonations of the words and even meanings changed so much that it seems like I was watching a movie and hearing another one. Interpreters just distract the focus from the signed message. I will remember next time to bring some ear-plugs, maybe it will help on that part.
One thing I did noticed again, and I'm hoping it is really a cultural and real value from the Deaf people. They always seem to like the fact that someone is learning sign language. MANY times I have this compliment from a Deaf person, they are proud of me for learning and being interested in their culture. To be honest, I don't understand why it is such a big deal for them, the crazy would be the people who does NOT want to learn, they are the one missing such a great thing, such a rich culture and most beautiful way to express words. The way I feel is, the Deaf people have a goldmine and they are superior than me, and I'm the one who needs their help or approval to reach the "gold" also, when and if I get there, then I can see people feeling proud of me for my accomplishment, but on the "journey" there, a simple "thank you" or "keep up" is enough of a compliment for those who are "not there yet". Anyway, thanks for the compliment!! It may take me some time to get use to receive it, but I'll get there :-)
Once more, it was a great pleasure meeting Braam Jordaan, although it was really fast, the whole experience was rewarding. Wish to have another opportunity to meet Braam again and talk more about his amazing work! I just need to polish even more on the SASL :-)
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