English Translation

That American flag behind me represents that the freedom that we have as American citizens to vote. In the past, many people couldn’t vote. Women couldn’t, and now they have the right to vote. Black people couldn’t, and now they have the right. But what of Deaf people? We are citizens and can’t just sit back. We need to get out and vote. Politicians can ignore those who don’t use their voice, but if Deaf people turn out at the polls, they’ll have to pay attention to us.

I was impressed by what happened at Gallaudet. There had always been hearing presidents of the University, until Deaf people finally raised their voices in protest and a deaf president was hired.

So get moving and use your right to vote.

I know many politicians have a history of oppressing Deaf people, but that flag represents our rights as Deaf citizens to voice our opinions. And politicians will listen to those who speak with a loud voice and respond to what we want.

Two weeks ago, I met an interpreter in South Carolina who had graduated from Gallaudet. She is hearing, but had spent time in the Deaf community. She is also black and do you know what she told me? She explained to me that in South Carolina, the Deaf community does not get out and vote. She had encouraged people to get out to the polls, and got positive responses, but at a march before the election, people didn’t show up. It’s a very sad thing that things like that happen in the South. That some politicians and legislatures still actively oppress the Deaf community.

Most of the people who are actively voicing their opinions are people from other states or have attended Gallaudet. Still, some places lag behind. And I think it is time for them to catch up.

In the South, there are still some parts that haven’t changed since the Civil War. But it’s time to get to work on that. This is America after all and we need to stand up and use our voices.

Many leaders are hearing, and I’ve had enough. I don’t want to discredit them, but they don’t listen to the Deaf community because the Deaf community is too passive and afraid. So, it’s time to get out and vote and use our voices to make things better.

Now, schools for Deaf people are closing around the nation and we have to keep fighting for what we believe in without giving up. I know there are financial issues, but we just have to keep on with the fight.

Many people now look at America and wonder if it is really “of the people.” Politicians seem to have a much more self-serving attitude. So, we need to let our voice be loud and clear..

Here is my wish: that politicians were all Deaf, so that hearing people could have a taste of how that feels. The problem, of course, is that Deaf people are a minority. But we are still free here to vote and voice our opinions without any retaliation. We are lucky in that respect because other countries are not the same.

That means, parents have the responsibility to teach their children the importance of voting. The President and Congress listen to those who vote. So, please never give up on voting.