Introduction
The concept of intersectionality is important in understanding the experiences of Deaf Asians. It allows one to see how their identities are impacted by not only being deaf but also by being Asian. Intersectionality refers to how multiple aspects of an individual’s identity interact with each other (Holcomb 13). It has been used to describe how gender, race, sexuality, and class all shape our experiences of the world. It helps people understand how these identities can differ for people depending on their racial background and gender.
Holcomb explains how deaf Asians experience intersectionality because they are both a minority group and disabled. (15). They face many challenges as Asian immigrants who were born into two cultures but did not speak either language fluently and are disabled in both worlds. Being a double minority has made them feel different from everyone else around them and caused them to feel isolated from their communities (Emery and Iyer 90). This essay will explore how intersectionality applies to deaf Asians and how their experience differs from those of other deaf people and Asians.
The Deaf Asian Culture
The deaf Asian culture is unique and interesting, combining elements of the deaf and Asian cultures. Deaf Asians rely heavily on each other for support but also have strong ties to their families and communities. There are many different types of cultures within the deaf Asian community. The culture of deaf Asians depends on where they live, their age, and ethnicity (Emery and Iyer 97).
Deaf Asians have a rich history dating back thousands of years, dating back to when they first migrated from China to Japan and Korea (Holcomb 20). They had their language called Sign Language, which is a visual language that uses hand gestures to communicate ideas instead of speaking words out loud (Leigh et al. 35). Additionally, there are two types of deaf Asians: those who were born into it, and those who became deaf later in life (Holcomb 22). Both types of deaf Asians have very different experiences from one another, but they have some similarities, too.
One similarity between these two groups is the way they communicate with each other through gestures and signs. For example, one person might talk about something that happened yesterday while another person follows along by signing “yesterday” because they remember what day it was based on what was said earlier. Another similarity is that both types tend to use American Sign Language (ASL) more than spoken English when communicating among themselves (Leigh et al. 44). However, sometimes, they will combine ASL with spoken English words or phrases if need be. As time passed, these people began migrating closer to Europe until they finally settled in America, where they could practice their customs freely without being persecuted like they were back home.
Deaf Asians Experiences of Oppression
Deaf Asians are forced to choose between their ethnicity and their culture. It can lead to confusion and isolation for many individuals who do not know how to navigate their two worlds. However, there are many examples of how this conflict plays out in real life. Holcomb discusses a case where a young woman was sent back home from her boarding school because she had been caught dating a hearing boy from another school (22).
This is an example of how the community enforces and reinforces cultural values. It shows how deaf Asian Americans have internalized these values and have difficulty understanding themselves outside of them. They face pressure from all sides to conform while also trying to maintain their identity as an individual and a member of a group with values different from those imposed upon them by society.
In addition, deaf Asians have unique challenges that arise from being both disabled and an ethnic minority simultaneously. For example, many deaf Asians have trouble getting jobs or public accommodations because they face discrimination from employers and landlords based on their race or disability status alone (Holcomb, 26). Moreover, in terms of education, many schools still do not provide interpreters for deaf Asians despite federal laws requiring them to do so (Holcomb, 30). It creates academic and social barriers among peers who may not understand why someone appears unable or unwilling to communicate verbally with them.
Prominent Deaf Asian Individuals
The first person is John C. Helms, who was born in California and is one of three children. His parents were deaf and had difficulty communicating because they could not sign. They decided to have John C.’s sister teach him how to read lips and speak English so that he could help them communicate with one another. John C. also learned how to speak by reading lips himself.
However, he found it difficult because he had no one else to teach him how to do so (Holcomb 35). He eventually learned how to speak by going outside his home and observing other people talk with one another, which helped him learn what sounds made up words (Holcomb 36). John C.’s experience demonstrates that deaf Asians can learn how to communicate through speech without formal education in sign language or lipreading. However, they may need someone who can teach them how this is done if they were never taught by anyone else before learning how themselves.
Another individual is George Bunnell, the first Asian American elected to public office in California. He was also one of the first Asian Americans to serve on a United States Presidential Commission (Leigh et al. 50). Bunnell’s parents were deaf; he was born deaf in San Leandro, California, in 1923 (Leigh et al. 65). His mother wanted him to be educated at home with a deaf teacher so that she could help her son learn English as well as sign language. She also wanted him to develop good manners by being around other children his age who were deaf. As a result, Bunnell became fluent in English and Chinese Sign Language.
Conclusion
In conclusion, in the United States, there are several Deaf communities. The most well-known group is culturally deaf because they identify with the American deaf community and use ASL as their primary language. However, one less-known group of people who are also culturally deaf is deaf Asians.
Despite coming from various different nations and speaking various different languages, they have common experiences and stories to share. Many have expressed that before coming to the United States, they were not exposed to deaf culture or ASL and were treated as if they were disabled. Therefore, there is an underlying challenge in ensuring that all deaf Asians can communicate with each other in their native languages when they first arrive in America. Thus, they have difficulty communicating with other cultural groups until they learn ASL after living here for some time.
Works Cited
Emery Steven David, and Sanchayeeta Iyer. “Deaf Migration Through an Intersectionality Lens.” Disability & Society, vol. 37, no. 1, 2022, pp 89-110.
Holcomb, Thomas K. Introduction to American Deaf Culture. Oxford University Press, 2013.
Leigh, Irene W., et al. Deaf Culture: Exploring Deaf Communities in the United States. Plural Publishing, 2020.