Presentation Video
Introduction
Still I rise is documentary is very important…why?? Because it contribute to the history of America and actually recapture the history of Black Deaf in Arkansan during that era. I noticed in the film, Black Deaf Arkansan talked about their experience and I noticed a lot of parallel to of the experience of Blacks in general. For example, some students talked about their experience living in the dorm and that they had to allow White students to shower first and Black students were second. The Black Deaf Arkansan history definitely parallels with Blacks in general during the civil right era.
Another parallel was when Black Students were desegregated and their history was lost. Similar to when Black people were in Africa and brought to America, our history was lost.
Signing Styles…Then and Now
Black Deaf Arkansan had no yearbooks to tell their story only anecdotal that was past down to the next generation. I thought the film/DVD that was borrowed from Maya Angelou, a famous poet, was very appropriate and fitting for the Black Deaf Arkansan experience.
The schools were segregated and thus unequal. But nonetheless, students rose up to be very successful and led productive lives. I thought it was interesting that the teacher of Black/Deaf Arkansan’s provided a lot of playtime and not academic instruction.
Some of the people who were interviewed commented about how they taught themselves sign language and that they found it easy to acquire by watching older students they perceived to be smarter than them. It was obvious they felt inferior. They noticed the difference between their signs compared to Whites. One woman commented on her sign speed compared to White students.
I noticed that during that era, sign language/ finger spelling today is very similar and not much different that long time ago. Except what…back then there were no mouthing of words. They signed with their lips shut.
School Integration
Several of the interviewers talked about during desegregation how they felt challenged academically and that they had homework. It seems that school was teaching them vocational training at Madison School. Note the integration component was still separate meaning what…Blacks and Whites were on the same campus but were not educated together until 1967. Nonetheless, having that experience provided opportunities Arkansas students. I thought it was interesting that even though Black Deaf students were moved at least 3 times to various schools it did not seems to bother them.
Another point that stood out for me was related to the cultural difference between White and Blacks especially how they attended to their hair. There was little or no respect for the cultural difference in hair texture and Black Deaf students were restricted. For example, they could not relax or perm their hair or feel at home. Black hair requires using a hot comb to press it and our hair requires a lot of oil. So the Black Deaf students were told, “you can’t use oil or you can’t rely on the furniture because you could stain the furniture.” So that was a challenge for them…not understanding their own culture and no extended Black family in the dorm to help them cope and deal with that.
So when they washed their hair to wear it natural, they developed an Afro (emphasis added). An Afro makes some people feel threaten. The civil rights activist name Angela Davis was very successful during the 1960s… because of her activism and speaking out against social injustice issues and also because of her hair. People felt threaten by that. Delete me mouthing the word Ok at 00.00.45.
Black Deaf Arkansan who was integrated with White deaf students, I noticed they were more assertive like Evon Black for example. She was one of the last to graduate from ASD. I noticed she was very assertive and very outspoken, had self-confidence. So integration helped to improve things and these students gave credit to Black role models who arrive at the school during that time. ? 00.00.18
Growing up they was taught that they were not college material or they were told, “you will work on a farm or you will work I a factory.” So later things started to shift and teachers recognized potential, academic potential of the students and encouraged the to go to college.
Role Models
Some students commented on how important role models are and I agree. I can’t emphasize enough how important role models are. I seriously believe that students should be able to look around in their educational environment and see students, teachers, administrator and other in leadership position who look like them. Role models pay an important role in the social and emotional development of students and seeing others in powerful positions give students hope.
Recapturing Lost History
Arkansas State University, Arkansas Black Deaf Advocate and Arkansas Rehabilitation Services are to be commended for their collective effort to recapture this rich history that was lost during the transaction. Many Black Deaf Arkansans did realize until now how significant their history is. It’s amazing that they were able to recapture some of the lost history in the film. I admit the quality of some of the photos were not great but still. They had to be reconditioned to help preserve them. It’s amazing that some of the students are still alive. There is one who was 93!! It’s a blessing that they wee able to interview her. Her mind was sharp and she still remembered everything. So recapturing the history was important and timely.