Essay Example on Audism Unveiled: Discrimination Against Deaf People Causes Lasting Harm

Audism refers to discrimination or prejudice against individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. The documentary "Audism Unveiled" uses real life experiences from deaf people of varied racial, social and educational backgrounds to portray that audism causes lasting harm to the victims. It reveals the pain deaf people have to face in their daily life thus leaving scars of regret for the state of deafness. The deaf have been looked down upon as if they are some sort of worthless beings. Audism falls in the same category as discrimination, sexism, and racism. In the movie "Audism Unveiled" the characters give various testimonials on how they have been oppressed due to their inability to hear. Therefore, what is interesting about the movie is how it portrays the scars and pain caused by audism, thus making a calling to the people to embrace respect and understanding towards the deaf.

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Watching the movie exposed me to the challenges the deaf face and overcome. I learned that lack of understanding towards the deaf culture has greatly led to discrimination and hatred for many years. After watching the movie I deduced that the idea that one is more superior based on their ability to hear and speak is close-mindedness and displays ignorance. The society should be involved in the teaching and learning sign language especially if they have any deaf person in their families. They should handle them with love just like another hearing human. Deafness is not a calamity that should be viewed with sympathy and hatred. If people around the world can learn how to communicate with the deaf then audism would be discouraged. The deaf have to be engaged in family conversations, have to know why people around them are laughing, crying or acting in a certain manner. The aspect of "will tell you later" should be discouraged so that the deaf cannot feel unworthy. From the film, it's clear that the seclusion of children from family conversation begins at a young age. Communication barrier between children and parents takes away the identity and creates problems that the children have to face throughout their lives.

The film portrays the themes of affliction and discrimination as the deaf face unfair treatment from society. Audism at workplaces makes the deaf lag behind the schedules and plans. In the film, the deaf secretaries strive to find a way in which their boss and other workers could understand them and provide equal services. Furthermore, in the 1900s, the deaf were subjected to punishment from the hearing persons as if deafness was a crime. For example, parents would cut out children's tongue or force them to kneel on broomsticks with their arms spread out at school. A shocking example was a father's refusal to ever associate with his son because he thought his deafness was due to gossip or theft habits in the past. The film unveils the need for equal rules and opportunities to everyone. Instead of discrimination, employers should understand their situation and provide a favorable environment for their working.

The efforts of people trying to fix those who are deaf instead of learning how to handle them are devastating. Watching the film made me perceive the misconception that deafness is a misfortune and can only be resolved to religion to cure it as absurd. In the film, it is depicted by various stories including that of a man who was taken by his parents to a religious shrine to be prayed for by the priest so that the deafness could be healed but that did not solve the problem. I also used to view the deaf as feeble and useless people in society. However, the movie has changed my perception towards the deaf and in the future, I will always support and care for them as they are part of society.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is important to create awareness about audism. The community should be impacted with knowledge on how to handle the deaf community and culture. Communication barrier can only be eradicated by knocking out audism. Being deaf is not a misfortune that deserves empathy rather should be understood as a natural occurrence. Since the natural language understood by the deaf community is sign language everyone should advocate the preservation of it and the culture of the deaf community. Eradication of audism will bring to light the rich, vibrant deaf culture and its community. Therefore the deaf will not face discrimination and pain in their environment of living, work, and school.