Chris Haulmark​ inspires action for overcoming our Deaf and disabled communities's institutional oppression!

Transcription:

[Video Description: Chris Haulmark is standing in the kitchen wearing light-blue and long-sleeved button-up shirt.]


Hello everyone!

I am Chris Haulmark, running for U.S. House of Representatives for Kansas’s Third Congressional District!

As we continue contemplating after yesterday’s vlog, we see how many responses there have been, along with some behind-the-scene discussions, and much more contemplation…

[musing]

First, I would like to discuss the question:

“Why are today’s Deaf people angry, fed up, and tired of the current status quo,
in which we continue to suffer and struggle?”

The main psychological trigger for Deaf people is the deprivation of access to communication.

Think about it...

Here’s a few examples.

Example #1: when making an order at a fast food counter.

The employee decides to provide a paper and pen for the order, then skipping past to take the next customer’s order while dismissing the Deaf person, whom requires more time to write down the order.

Ever have that happen?

That communication deprivation is a trigger, indeed!

Example #2, While walking down the street, someone approaches, needing help or directions.

The Deaf person apologizes for not understanding the spoken question, yet is open to helping out.

How does the lost person respond?

By saying, “never mind”, “no big deal”.

This deprivation of communication is another trigger.

Example #3) When requesting an interpreting team to provide access at a scheduled event, those responsible for providing the accommodation responds by asking where to get a volunteer or a low-cost interpreting team.

The devaluing of our precious language by implied low-quality accommodations is a trigger.

Think about that cultural devaluing...

These are just a few of numerous oppressive examples.

OH!

One other oppression trigger example is watching a video without captions!

Oh YES!

That’s a communication deprivation trigger.

These oppressive microagressions happen to all of us Deaf people all across America.

EVERY SINGLE DAY!

It happens EVERY DAY!

Ever since one becomes Deaf or hard of hearing, with hearing loss.

Let that sink in!

We are so tired of it!

We are completely fed up!

We are so annoyed at the status quo!

We decided to fight back, starting two years ago, we decided to unite.

We worked together to protest and raise awareness on needed action from all Americans to help our marginalized communities fight against this ongoing institutional oppression.

Even my campaign goes through daily ableism oppression.

Look at what just happened-

The Kansas City Star newspaper still has not provided captions for Representative Yoder’s follow-up video conversation after the town hall event!

What the hey!?

This is a trigger in depriving communication access for me, Chris Haulmark, as well as, for the many other Deaf people who wanted to watch the video, too!

Get this!

Even with Third District Democratic candidate Andrea Ramsey as a guest speaker for the First Saturday Breakfast event, there was no ASL interpreting team present!

What the hey?!

I am STILL triggered by this communication deprivation, because I must constantly worry:

"What if I appear the next publicly ASL-accommodated political event and there is no interpreting team there?"

So many Deaf people see that I continue to suffer, just as they do!

EVERY DAY!

And what are the privileged people doing?

NOTHING!

Staying Neutral!?

Please!

Remember famed Desmond Tutu, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984.

His powerful quote applies here:

“If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse, and you say that you are neutral, doing nothing [the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.]”

Your neutrality shows that you support the oppressor.

[dramatic pause]

[nodding]

So...

inaction from any neutral privileged able-bodied nondisabled people simply shows the Deaf and disabled communities that you accept the oppression experienced by all of us Deaf and disabled people.

[dramatic pause]

What to do?

I created these vlogs to show everyone to see and understand what is a big and ugly issue.

Many of us Deaf and disabled people of America and Kansas need help.

We need everyone to step up and fight along with us- to help everyone.

Especially for you, community leaders… show all of us that you value us and
want our involvement in the democratic process.

[GRINNING]

Yes, I believe we can!

[Video fades into a black background with a logo of a cartoonish Chris Haulmark signing “Believe” with white text of “Yes, We Can Believe” below the logo. There is the text of www.HaulmarkForCongress.com at the bottom]

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   7 years ago

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