Just watched Deaf President Now! on Apple TV.
It’s a documentary about how students of the world’s only #Deaf university, #Gallaudet, rebelled against having yet another hearing president foisted upon them in 1988.
In the course of just a week they revolutionised the power structures of an institution that had been a Deaf educational community for 124 years, but had never been led by a Deaf person who could sign or understand what it was to be part of that community. Great viewing!
It’s wonderful to have the story told first hand from the four students who led the protest. Each were very different characters. But you see their passion as if it all happened just yesterday.
What amazes and troubles me as a British person who is ‘hard of hearing’ and a kid growing up in the 80’s, I knew nothing of this amazing story in #DisabledRights history until tonight.
And why is #Gallaudet still the only #Deaf university in the world?
But when we look at the current crisis in the UK about #WelfareReform…why is the Disabilities Minister, Stephen Timms completely unrepresentative of the portfolio he leads on?
As an able bodied man, how does he understand or represent the rights of the disabled community?
The Women and Equalities Minister is never, ever a white straight man…just saying.
The question for me is how any of them who have been justifying the #WelfareReform sleep at night.
#Change ? More like #MoreOfTheSame
Bloody #NeoLiberals
(Hope you guys aren't cooked alive. It's too darn hot up here already.)
I think we could do with some of the media posing that exact question to Starmer, Reeves , Kendall, Timms and Streeting et al. (It was Matt Baker’s finest moment when he sneaked that exact question into his fluffy interview with Cameron on the One Show.)
But yes, I was up late last night as it was just too hot and sticky to sleep! It’s meant this morning has been very slow, but I think we all needed a rest. My partner says the weather is supposed to break around Wed?
But we won't hold our breath, eh?
Yes, definitely take it slow. If you're anything like me, you'll feel guilty for resting. But it's something we really must learn to do...
Take care.
Juggling With Eggs
Beverley