"CRIME OF THE MIND"
by Alison Aubrecht
"Knowledge is Power." There is truth in this quote. There is research that suggests that the mind is the single most important component of our physical being: it controls our behavior, our motions, our thoughts, our feelings, and regulates our heartbeat.
Some things are more obvious to the human eye. A bruise. A cut. A tear rolling down the cheek. Physical and emotional abuse does not easily surpass us. We see it and discuss it furiously. We see a woman walking down the halls with a bruised eye, and we wonder if her partner hit her.
But there are other kinds of abuse that arenÕt as obvious. Mental abuse, for one. And this is perhaps the most tragic kind of abuse, because we often donÕt see it or feel it outright. If the mind controls our being, then what happens if someone who is in control of the development of our mind abuses his or her power?
I'm not talking about hypnosis. IÕm not talking about mind-control experiments. IÕm talking about something that weÕve all gone through. The educational system.
When we are young, our mind is a relatively empty. It is waiting to be filled with new ideas and information. So, when we enter the school system, we our constantly stimulated with new ideas. Or are we?
Do you remember the first time a teacher subtly suggested that you wouldnÕt be able to do something, and you knew it was because you were Deaf? Or perhaps a teacher said, "Okay, class, don't worry. I know it's hard for you to read, so we will proceed slowly."
This was only the beginning. At a time when our young minds are unable to understand abstract ideas, analyze logical thoughts. We are unable to grasp the fact that those teachers do not believe we have the potential to succeed.
But by the time we reach an age when we are able to think logically, weÕre often already so behind. We've also been hit by "learned helplessness." We have come to believe what teachers have modeled to us: That Deaf people really can't do much. That it's not worth it for us to become Doctors because itÕs really too hard. That we can't read Shakespeare because we don't have the level of language comprehension to understand old English.
Then we come to Gallaudet. With this attitude within usÑoften we don't realize it.. Yes, families are also responsible for the development of their childÑbut remember that 90 percent of Deaf children have hearing families. How many of those families communicate with their children in a manner that will enrich their mind?
Apathy is an often used word on campus. But is it really apathy? Or do we just feel hopeless? Constantly confronting barriers and obstacles, even from other Deaf people who have gotten themselves in a position of authority, yet fail to stand by us? Here at GallaudetÑthe only university for the DeafÑthe only place where we can communicate without barriers, share ideas freelyÑ there are still criminals who destroy our mind. Harsh? Maybe not.
Think about it. How many teachers have you encountered that have had either a subtle or obvious attitude that the Deaf are not quite. . . up to standards? How many classes did you find unchallenging? How many teachers did you sit in front of and learn nothing from because regardless of their knowledge of the subject, they could not sign? What happens? You're deprived of the knowledge you deserve. Of the tools you need to compete with the mainstream world. Of the confidence that will allow you to go out there fully aware that you have the qualifications to make a difference in your field.
It happens. Our minds are not being stimulated, nurtured. ItÕs not so easy to prove, but when you think about itÑreally think about it, you'll feel a tiny ball of frustration within you. And you'll know, it's happening to you too.