Deaf News This Week: 6/19/2020

Black Disabled Lives Matter March & Protest in Detroit

Black Disabled Lives Matter March & Protest in DetroitTranscript: https://www.dailymoth.com/blog/black-disabled-lives-matter-march-in-detroit

Posted by The Daily Moth on Wednesday, June 17, 2020
Deaf Poor People’s Campaign to feature two speakers during digital mass assembly on June 20

Deaf Poor People's Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival to feature two speakers during digital mass assembly on June 20Sign Up/RSVP: https://actionnetwork.org/forms/rsvp-for-june-20-2020-mass-poor-peoples-assembly-moral-march-on-washington?source=DeafPPCDeaf Poor People Campaign ASL Video – https://bit.ly/3hG3Mf4

Posted by The Daily Moth on Thursday, June 18, 2020
Addressing the Kappa Gamma controversy

Addressing the Kappa Gamma controversy and my role as "The Daily Moth" founder/reporter. Mary Pat Luetke-Stahlman's email: Mpluetke1986@gmail.comNo CC, transcript below: Hello, I’m Alex. I want to talk about the Kappa Gamma controversy. I became a part of the fraternity in 2006. I’ve seen the discussions out there. First, I want to own up that I’m a part of the problem. KG has clearly shown that it has contributed to negative impacts such as trauma and its use of symbols that are triggering, regardless of the intended motivations — the impact is evident and the triggers are there. I recognize that and I’m a part of the problem because I did not do more to speak up or to listen, learn, and analyze things. I didn’t become involved and push for changes. I just kept with the status quo as it faded from my memory. There are new congregations being formed at Gallaudet, but I just went on as “normal.” Could I have done more? Absolutely. I own up to that.I’ve seen many people talk about two actions that I should take, which is to “leave” or shut down “The Daily Moth” because of my affiliation with KG. I will address that. The second is for me to announce I’m cutting off all ties with KG, to “resign” from KG. I want to talk about the two. First, “The Daily Moth.” I started this service because I wanted to provide news from the hearing world and the deaf world. I’ve been doing that since 2015 on almost a daily basis. In my news delivery, I’m being honest here, I have been impartial. I operated without fear or favor or backroom deals. Maybe I have been oblivious to privilege or failed to be sensitive. Definitely. I’ve made many mistakes. I try to own up to it, change, and listen to feedback. But have I been influenced by KG? No. I’m being honest. But can I convince you? I understand that it’s hard. It’s sensitive. I understand that. But in my work all this time, I’ve strived to deliver the truth and bring perspectives of what happened. I want to continue to do that. I don’t want to stop because I was involved with KG. Does that mean the service that I provide must cease? For the light to go out? I think that might hurt our deaf community more than it will help. The second thing — should I cut all ties with KG and walk away? I understand that I can simply say “I’m leaving them for good.” But KG would still be there. If I leave, it’ll still be there. I want to the part of the solution. I want to continue the conversation with them (KG members) and to push for change. If that means KG must be dismantled, or it must be completely changed, or whatever is necessary to begin, to take a step in the healing process, I want to be a part of that. If it has to be shut down, I’ll help to bring down the pillars. If it is a healing process, I want to support that. That’s with my personal role as Alex, many of you have known me before I started “The Daily Moth.” Who am I? I want that person to be there with KG and be a part of the change. I want to make it clear I completely respect those who have resigned or left KG. There’s no ill feelings. But I want to be a part of the solution. So I’m not announcing that I’m “resigning.” It doesn’t mean I support KG and its actions in its history. I know it’s wrong, full stop. I want to be a part of the change. Now, about the KG story, last week when I did a news piece on Gallaudet’s suspension of KG, I clearly disclosed that I was a KG member from 2006, so obviously I can’t be neutral or impartial or be an outsider because I’m a part of it. But clearly this is a big news story with a significant impact on the deaf world. So, what are the updates on KG, its history, its present, and its future? I said I would bring in an independent journalist. That’s in the works. Her name is Mary Pat Luetke-Stahlman. She writes for “Deaf Vee Journal.” She has done many independent pieces over the years. I look at her as a colleague. We have never collaborated on a project and operate independently of each other. We were in touch and I feel she can cover this important story. She’s working on it. So if you have any comments or whatever, you can contact her. Her email is at the top. Maybe you will be contacted by her, and you’ll know why. I will provide her with whatever information I can provide and be transparent. But as for her final work, what she will collect from others, I won’t ask her to review the draft or edit it or make suggestions. She will write the piece and it’ll go straight to print. It’ll be text-based, we’ll figure out how to sign it. It’ll have both versions, but the point is that it’s in the works. I’m out of it. Truth is truth, full stop. I don’t want to cast doubt on that process. For myself going forward, I want to be a part of the solution. I own up to the mistakes I made in the past. I’m going to be a part of the solution. And I want to continue to deliver news to you because our deaf world needs that service and I believe I can, I have the skills and the capability to do so. That’s how I can give back to you, because you have given me a good livelihood, a privileged life, and do I just relax and sit back? No, I want to give back and continue to grow “The Daily Moth.” Thank you for watching. I appreciate your time.

Posted by The Daily Moth on Thursday, June 18, 2020
NBDA writes open letter calling for Gallaudet President Bobbi Cordano to step down

NBDA writes open letter calling for Gallaudet President Bobbi Cordano to step downTranscript: https://www.dailymoth.com/blog/national-black-deaf-advocates-writes-open-letter-calling-for-gallaudet-president-bobbi-cordano-to-step-down

Posted by The Daily Moth on Wednesday, June 17, 2020
Sign1News 6.18.20

TODAY’S HEADLINES:- NBDA sends list of demands to Gallaudet University- Rayshard Brooks kicked, stepped on by officers- Florida cases rise, study says blood type tied to coronavirus risk- John Bolton book blasts Trump Administration- Shoppers to spend more this Father’s Day

Posted by Sign1News on Thursday, June 18, 2020