The Sign for Drowning by Rachel Stolzman

Codas themselves are hearing, and most embrace their Deaf heritage along with the culture of the hearing. Even though audism mainly refers to hearing individuals, this term can also stretch out and blanket what is referred to as Codas or little d deaf people.Ĭodas are imbedded within Deaf culture due to their parents who one or both are Deaf. Audism can also be defined as a belief in which the hearing are superior to the Deaf and have a better quality of life due to their ability to hear the world around them. Audism is taken from the Latin term audire, which means to hear, and -ism, which is a system of practice, condition of, behavior, belief or attitude towards something. Audism is a complex term used within Deaf culture to illustrate hearing individuals whom discriminate the Deaf due to ignorance or hatred towards the Deaf's choices. Therefore, they shun these things, or people, 1 Humanity in general is terrified of what they do not know. Throughout this short piece I hope to give some insight to the ignorant and explain audism, give a brief overview of Deaf culture based on my teachings and experiences and present a stepping stone so one may begin their journey to learn American Sign Language and more on Deaf culture through various sources such as dictionaries, websites and young adult literature.Ī significant amount of discrimination the Deaf are exposed to is due to ignorance of their culture. Yet, some people are ignorant to the differences between these two cultures, and because of their innocent ignorance audism rears its ugly head. However, when it comes to Deaf culture the world of the hearing and the Deaf could not be more different.

The hearing can hear and the Deaf live their life in silence. Deaf people, as humans, differ in only one aspect. They eat, breath, sleep, hurt and communicate with each other efficiently.

These individuals are humans just like everyone else. Deaf individuals whom are a part of Deaf culture are not disabled. Now with its ever growing culture, more hearing individuals have grown to accept, love and even be a part of this fascinating world in their own way. “Deaf and Dumb” and the “hearing impaired”. These people would label the Deaf with harsh terms, such as Once upon a time Deaf used to be a word people looked down upon.

The Sign for Drowning by Rachel Stolzman