A Hate Crime Against Deaf People
Sunday September 9, 2007
It is a minor, but troubling news article: The San Jose Mercury News (September 9, 2007) reports that two teenagers were arrested for a hate crime against a group of deaf people in which one young deaf man sustained an injury to his head. (There were two reports: first report and second report)
It is hard to believe this kind of thing still happens, in 2007. I remember long ago, when I was in high school, I learned about the beating of a deaf high school student in New Jersey that landed that student in the hospital. I no longer remember the name of the boy, only the fact that he was beaten for being deaf.
Ironically, this month includes Deaf Awareness Week. Perhaps this year we should be asking ourselves why these types of crimes happen? Why in an era when there is more awareness of deafness, would anyone physically attack deaf people for being deaf?
Just last week I had blogged a similar crime, in the United Kingdom.
Comments
Good to spread out so Deafies know now.
MY GOODNESS! THATS TERRIBLE… I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS IN HEARING SCHOOL WHILE I WAS DEAF RAISE,I REMEMBER EXCALTY WHEN I SEE FACE OR READ LIP OR STARE AT ME OR TALK PERSON AGAIST MY NAME. I KNEW SOMETHING WRONG, BUT I KEPT STRONG AND BE GOING ON CLASSES .WHEN I WAS LUNCH ROOM SIT BY KIDS, THEY AVOID ME, SO I DONT CARE WHAT THEY SAYING, IT JUST MYSELF THINK POSTIVE WAY. HEY I CAN READ LIP AND GOOD TALK IT SAME WAY WHO YOU ARE.. ONE TIME PUSH ME, BUT I WALKED AND BE STRONG, THEN THEY WILL STOPPED. NO MATTER WHAT.. BUT I KNEW HEARING KIDS DONT UNDERSTAND DEAF PEOPLE.. SHOULD NOT HURT OR THREAT DEAF.. WHAT ABOUT WHITE AND BLACK PEOPLE?? WHAT ABOUT DEAF AND HEARING PEOPLE?? SHOULD BE FAIR!!! IT DOESNT MATTER, THIS IS FREEDOM EACH OTHER AND ANY THING IN WHOLE WORLD. WHATS MATTER HEARING PEOPLE!!!
People are just naturally mean so it does not surprise me. After being married for 25 years I went lost my hearing and was divorced after being treated very badly. So if husbands can not be compasionate how can one expect strangers to be kind.