I received an e-mail forward from a friend; who exclaimed “Why should we continue to educate them?” regarding the below message in AGBell’s January 31, 2008 issue.
“AG Bell’s Board President, Karen Youdelman, and Executive Director, Alexander T. Graham, spoke up about Pepsi’s upcoming Super Bowl commercial featuring a deaf storyline. In a letter written to PepsiCo corporate executives, Youdelman and Graham stated, “Although we appreciate Pepsi’s efforts to encourage new promotional ideas from your rank-and-file employees and your willingness to celebrate diversity, we would be remiss if we did not call your attention to the fact that…your advertisement perpetuates a common myth that all people who are deaf can only communicate using sign language.“
The friend also asked that DeafRead take a leadership role. Here is the reply I sent:
AGBell is taking it upon themselves to educate Pepsi. What they are saying is true — but like DeafRead, Pepsi cannot make everyone happy. I guess this will always happen no matter what. It’s an absurd and never-ending battle. For example, if the Pepsi commercial’s characters were speaking orally instead, should NAD object and say that the commercial perpetuates a common myth that all people who are deaf can speak to some degree?
The education that should be put forth is that the deaf community is very diverse within itself. Many people assume that deaf people, like myself and yourself, can speak, because Marlee Matlin can and does. It’s human nature to stereotype, even within a diversity group.
Finally, I am hesitant about DeafRead taking a leadership role because it means taking a position — which cannot co-exist with neutrality.
Tayler
116 Comments
I don’t think DeafRead should take up the leadership but NAD should take that up to counter AGBell’s “complaint”.
I hope NAD takes that notice and would step in, hopefully.
Misha
I agree. I think and hope Pepsi knows better: AGBell is whining about a no-win situation.
That is very interesting that someone else even bother to ask for your leadership. Why cannot this person go to NAD instead? Intimiated? I feel the same for NAD, I mean it all depends whether this NAD decides to response, or not. I wrote a message eariler that another organization is much needed…nothing much going on afterward…. I plan to work on the mission and the possiblitiy for another organization.
deafk
I’m pretty sure Pepsi will ignore AGBell since it’s already all set and ready for this Sunday. It worked on that for a long time. If that won’t be on tv, that would be a such waste for everyone involved. It would be a big letdown for deaf community.
Misha
@deafk, That’s taking initiative! Another thing you could do is, if you aren’t already a member, to become one and voice your concerns with NAD. They need to hear from you.
@misha, you’re correct–the TV commercial will go on air. They’ve paid too much not to.
But what is Pepsi’s understanding of AGBell’s statement? Will it affect commercials Pepsi and other corporates make in the future?
Obvousily A.G. BELL know nothing about Deaf Culture so it is a waste of time to educated them. They need to do their homework!
Get lost, AGBell!
Oh Please, AGBell! Give us a break! It is our turn to have Deaf commerical on Superbowl’s day! Way to go Pespi Co/ Enable ( hope they will keep it on, no matter what!) Looking forward on Feb 3, Grins!
@Steve, it has nothing to do with understanding deaf culture. AGBell, as well as Pepsi, needs to understand that this a no-win situation. If a commercial is done differently, there will be some other group objecting. It goes round and round.
AGBell is being childish.
@daveynin,
I think we can do is by sending congratulations and our supports to Pepsi. We will win their heart by encouraging Pepsi to advertise more awareness about ASL and Deaf community. We can push on that. To make sure Pepsi will enjoy our support and may consider to do about us positively.
I think we better ignore AGBAD and its anti ASL response(s). We just need to educate AGBAD that ASL is best for deaf children. We keep telling them positive.
Deafchip
Duh!!! We had enough of energy respect AGBAD for so long time while they are still bashing us down for NOTHING!!! YEAH right on daveynin! GET LOST. AGBAD!!!! We got tired of respect them for too long time while they still go ahead like “big head” bashing us down! Enuff, AGBAD!!!
@chipmunk, that is actually a very good idea! We should write to Pepsi. Thank them as well as explain how silly the AGBell statement is.
When it’s our turn, we take it!
where the link to write to Pepsi to give our WARM Lovely ASL Thankful Note???? pls hurry!! I need to go outside to sweep the snow off my car before I need go work!!!
Wow.. AGBell has set an example how people in general always HAVE to complain about one thing. It’s all complains.. complains about everything.
I liked the idea what Deafchip has to offer, let’s write to Pepsi. Is there a way we can do that? I’m so excited to see the commercial on TV this Sunday!!
-SG
I’m Deaf and a native user of ASL. I need to keep my name anonymous because of excessive misguided trash I endured from my preferred side. Such irony. Over the years I acknowledge points made from both sides (yes, I’m one who learned about coexisting civilly) but in this little spat I have to discredit AGBELL.
Don’t forget that AGBell, in the late 60’s, complained (whined) to CBS for planning to broadcast a segment on the National Theater of the Deaf doing a play. They did the same kind of complaining – that showing sign language on National television is not blah blah. What did CBS do? They ignored AGBell and went ahead. I believe this incident was written in Gannon’s Deaf Heritage book. History repeats itself.
You can send Pepsi a thank you note by going to this url:
http://www.pepsiusa.com/help/help.php?or=
I found it on Children of the Eye blog.
DeafRead was contacted by a media marketing firm asking us to link to two YouTube videos (of the commercial and behind-the-scene shots)–which we did. I’ve just emailed this person asking to provide PepsiCo and/or Enable’s contact information. Crossing fingers!
Pepsi needs to know their effort is appreciated and that they did nothing wrong.
AGBELL! Please go away! AGBELL did a lot of damages for the deaf community. You are not representing the deaf community. I am so angry about AGBELL. My deaf family suffered because of oral education. It was so awful. Now you have zero credibility.
It is not AGB who is THE customer. Rather, it is deaf people who are customers of Pepsi
I particularly like Deafchilmunk that deaf people are to send congratulations to Pepsi for thinking of deaf customers.
I dont speak for AGB and this is my personal opinion. We are just asking for a fair representation in the superbowl commercial and I don’t see anywhere in the complaint that said anything against ASL. The complaint was pointing out that the commercial is feeding misconceptions on deafness.
@V–you’re missing the point. Respectfully, please read my post again.
Especially where I wrote “…What they are saying is true…” The point is that no matter how the commercial is scripted, there will be some other group objecting. No one wins.
This whole thing is amusingly ironic because Darren (the guy in the passenger seat in the commercial) is as oral as they come and uses an implant.
@DeafMom, that’s indeed ironic–only if you knew. The viewers won’t know this and that is AGBell’s perspective.
Thank you, Deaf Punit for that link. I already sent them our congrats and thank you note from my husband and I.
To V – AGBell obviously is complaining about ASL because the advertisement is showing “ASL commercial” without voice over. AGBell is all about AVT. And also, what misconception? Tell me……
To DeafMom, yeah, that is very irony.
Misha
Sometimes this whole “battling it out” mentality really gets me down.
@DeafMom, I agree it gets tiring. There is no point in arguing with AGBell–they made a childish statement therefore they will be childish about anything anyone says, even if it comes from PepsiCo.
Instead, I encourage writing PepsiCo to show them our support.
I agree it is waste of time if we argue with AGBell but are we taking a stand against them? We are not. They continue to interfer with our movement and they will not stop unless we have an organization who will stand in front of them. Don’t forget that they have money and people who will do anything to remove Deaf people from earth.
Many of us are still waiting for an organziation or group who will take a stand up and preserve our language and culture. I have not seen any yet – not even from NAD. That is really unfortunate.
I was hoping DeafRead will do that – to empower more Deaf people to come up with something but it appears it will not be the case. So we need to find other way to make ourselves seen/heard.
one thing turned me off that agbell complained to pepsi co directly after pepsi did consult with nad’s giving green thumb up in respect way. nad represents for deaf. is agbell looking down at the nad as second class?
buzz
Ugh. Neutrality? DR should learn something by now. Check out Joey Baer’s vlog about neutrality. There are other people who discussed neutrality during the protest. Neutrality is harmful. I am disappointed with DR. Like other people say, DR completely forgot why DR started in the first place. Traitor.
I love this!
Really, I’m disappointed that AGBEll decided not to celebrate the fact that individuals with disabilities are featured in a commercial. People with disabilities, no matter what kind, ought be celebrated. Whether it be deaf who sign or deaf who speak, it doesn’t matter. The fact is that the signing community was represented.
I also love the idea of writing to Pepsi and thanking them for giving us our 15 minutes. Take it a bit further and become loyal Pepsi consumers, eh? Besides, I’ve always loved Pepsi.
And you guys are right, Pepsi cannot make everyone happy. Had they featured an oral deaf instead, we’d be objecting. This is starting to sound like the beginning of a religious war that could wage for thousands of years.
Hm that’s interesting. Could Deaf Culture evolve into a religion? If so, who and what would be the deity that all fervent members worship and praise to?Just a weird thought…
When I saw the commercial, my heart actually lept for joy. I loved it. I am a true Deafie in heart.
BF
In the fact, AG Bell historically was nazi-minded for genocide against deaf communities. Well, AG Bell was worthless price on the earth. Let’s having Flare-up war chest with AG Bell-Moron people.
Keep real Deaf cultures stronger!
Thanks,
JC Cody
Oh how typical AGBell they are! no wondering why they can’t handle the truth!
Agree with Deafchipmunk! Let’s move on and celebrate our day on Sunday…
My point is that we don’t need to be concerned with any organizations who make any negative comments against Deaf. We just focus on whatever we want to do for our Deaf community.
THINK PEACE!
Cheers…
joey baer,
i like your comment about empower more deaf people. my suggestion that we need to find deaf people with ci who value asl to communicate with strong leadership. she/he should be right leader to take against agbell’s interfering with our movement for asl. why? because agbell will have difficult to find any lame excuse for hearing parent of deaf children when deaf person with ci who speak the voice to support asl. i bet you that agbell perhaps hate my idea because agbell doesn’t want any parent of deaf children to hear deaf people with ci’s voice to support asl.
buzz
We cannot ignore AGBell’s comments. We need to take a stand and encourage NAD to send a statement to AGBell. We all need to stand up to AGBell and make it known that they can no longer get away with making a statment that oral/hearing is the only way for deaf and hard of hearing children. Since there are many bloggers, I believe that those who can, should put up a profound statement to show that AGBell have always been one sided and that we, the deaf community, are not one sided and have never said ASL is the ONLY way to communicate but ASL should be included as a tool for children who’s parents choose CI or oral method.
@JD, DeafRead hasn’t changed their guidelines. It’s the types of blogs, all of which we’ve always welcomed, that has changed. And not so much as some people would like to think.
Please be positive.
Infighting amongst ourselves is exactly what AGBell wants.
@Divided, I agree wholeheartedly! We bloggers together can make a difference!
To JD – you need to take my cue from my vlog. Please show some respect.
Hope you won’t mind me posting this url to my vlog to show JD all about respect. If you do mind, you can remove that link. It’s up to you.
http://blog.deafread.com/misha/2008/01/31/my-advice-to-deafreaders-please-show-your-respect/
If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.
Misha
Tayler,
I agree with Joey about representing one organization could mean DeafRead!!
Yes, I agree all about initiativing the organization, true. So, right now, there is none other than NAD. Why not start now, smile?
deafk
@Misha, thanks and I don’t mind at all!
Just for now… til another organization takes over… huh?
Wow. AGBell complaint?? What a fuss! Yeah, I should not be surprised. That Pepsi commerical with ASL is funny. Even though, I still love Coke. AGbell is a whinning donkey!
@deafk, DeafRead isn’t an advocacy group. Sure, I could put on a different hat and join an advocacy group, but it can’t be the same hat as the one that is wore for DeafRead. Like I said in my post, “I am hesitant about DeafRead taking a leadership role because it means taking a position — which cannot co-exist with neutrality.” That is the simple reason DeafRead cannot be an advocacy group. They cannot mix.
I am awaiting NAD’s response. I do expect them to respond. According to cuong aka buzz’s above comment, NAD gave the commercial their “thumbs up”. NAD President Scoggins was seen in this Pepsi behind-the-scene video. AGBell’s statement can be interpreted as confrontal to NAD. They should not back down. Not this time.
Before I run off to Costco to pick up the awards, I noticed there’s two posts on DeafRead discussing AGBell’s statement.
ASL Pepsi Super Bowl Commercial by John Egbert
AGBell Tackles Pepsico SuperBowl Commerical by Shane Feldman
Word has it AGBell is asking its members to write to PepsiCo.
I understand DR’s position that it cannot be an advocacy agency. That’s okay…Thanks.
deafk
Really, what we should be doing is isgnoring AGBell and instead, establish our own scientific research institution that will promote the benefits of ASL–just to level the playing ground with AGBell. The thing is, by combatting with AGBell, we will continue to thrive on anger and negativity towards them.. While we feel justified in doing so, I honestly think we will never accomplish anything other than making monsters out of ourselves. And then how can we feel good about ourselves and our culture when all we do is fight other institutions?
We need to blaze our own trails and celebrate our own language and culture each day..and let others join and follow. Like Bobby Creech said in his vlog recently, “just ignore them”. All they’ll do is bicker. Should we lower ourselves as well? No. We need to rise above that because we are BETTER than that!
There will always be people and institutions attacking us, but they cannot change us. Lets start walking down our own path and learn how to break free from all this fighting. Granted, this will require a huge attitutde adjustment amongst us all.
Peace comes in knowing what we can control and what we cannot control, and knowing the difference.
BF
Real possible that AGBELL feels threatened by ASL community. We are getting stronger and stronger, thank to DR- V/Bloggers
I’m not sure why AGBellers are so bent out of shape. Nothing about the commercial implies ALL deaf people use sign language. The fact is, all Deaf people use sign language.
Since oral deaf people don’t consider themselves part of the Deaf Community, I’m don’t see that they have a valid argument. If you look at it their way, then ALL commercials produced for hearing consumers “belong” to the oral deaf, as well.
I’m an interpreter, and I’m not going on a tirade, saying that hearing commercials are inaccurate, because all of the people talk all the time, implying that no hearing people know sign language.
It’s ridiculous, Why can’t Deaf people have ONE commercial?!
Just my two cents.
Tayler, the second URL you posted above, the one from AGBAD is the very one I used wherein AGBAD was encouraging their members to e-mail Pepsi. Well, I used that e-mail to thank Pepsi for the upcoming ASL commercial to be aired this Sunday! Lol….
Here is the email address for everyone to send email to PepsiCo thanking them for the ad and add positive comments (remember…no bashing AGBell on your email) but you can give positive enlightments. If you don’t know what to say then just say “thank you” and tell them you look forward to more ads in the future. Send your thanks to Ms. Caitlin Faughnan and her email is:
caitlin.faughnan@pepsi.com (I got this from Ed’s Telecom Alert website)
Maybe AGBAD been drinking Coca-Cola too much. We Deaf are the Pepsi generation!
What a performance of incredibly poor sportmanship.
Waaaa Waaaa Waaaa!!!!
Everyone, Divided has a very good point — please don’t bash AGBell when you email or contact Pepsi. This is counterproductive.
Thanks so much for the comments! I think we had a good discussion! As Joey Baer likes to say, “Upward we go!”
I am sorry to say AGBell’s a crybaby.
That is what I was talking about in my vlog “Discord On DeafRead”….same old same old, AGBell and oralists taking over, stealing our thunder. Get lost, AGBell.
Remember that AGBELL people are NAZI, RACISM, CRIME against DEAF’s ASL language……They should be arrested and put them in jail for a long time!! Long Live ASL!!
Wow!!!! I sent e-mail to Pepsi…if they decide to take the ad from air, I will stop drinking Pepsi and join Coke. Thanks to AGBell’s strategy – to inject Coca-Cola Industry. Coke tastes wonderful, but I am ready to be converted to Pepsi if they ever show this AD this COMING SUNDAY and ongoing!!!!!!!!! Agbell has to respect the DEAF COMMUNITY!
AGBELL SAID IT’S MYTH THAT:
DEAF PEOPLE DRIVE AND CAN SPEAK ASL
DEAF PEOPLE DON’T LISTEN ANY AUDIO
DEAF PEOPLE COMMUNICATE SILENTLY
DEAF PEOPLE HAVE THEIR INDEPENDENT LIVES AND EVEN MADE NATIONWIDE COMMERICALS WITH BUSINESS ASSOCIATES!
AGBELL IS A DEFICIT THINKER. UNPLUG ALL THE HIDDEN LIES, AGENDAS, POLITICS TO VICTIMIZE ALL INNOCENT PARENTS OF THE DEAF AND HOH CHILDREN AND DEAF COMMUNITY.
DEAF MEANS DEAF WILL ALWAYS BE DEAF, THEREFORE THEY ARE DEAF. DON’T CHANGE THEM!
Please AGBell, Dont be stupid. Just because this commercial shows Deaf people and the use of ASL, does not represent the myth you stated. Your blowing hot air.
Could we say that;
the showing of no diversity, there must not be any diversity?!
Be real. All the diversity in the world cant be shown in one commercial but with support, more and more can be shown in more commercials and the like to come.
January 31, 2008
God made the world and He created foreign languages and ASL is one of them!
I was raised in a hearing environment and grew up as an oral person. For the first time I attended the AG Bell Conference in Rochester, N.Y. in 1995; I looked forward to an exciting experience. Guess what? I was “snubbed” by the AG Bell oralists, and I decided to leave after two days. Some very wealthy oralists are very judgmental and many do not take the opportunity to get to know a deaf newcomer at the convention.
They miss a golden opportunity to know me. Their loss.
The Pepsi Commercial is a wonderful way to help the hearing world learn more about Deaf Culture. My ASL class at the university is doing an asignment on the Pepsi Commercial. I would like to thank the sponsors of the Pepsi Commercial for doing this advertisement to help the hearing community dispel myths about the Deaf. Congratulations.
ohhhh brother ….. more whining by AGbell…….. Just put AGbell mouth by PESPI and shut up! Quit Complaint.
Tayler …… thank for the news
Davy
[riffly_video]FF069FF6D06E11DCBBFBD0A456B4F508[/riffly_video]
Thanks, Deaf Pundit!
That’s a terrific idea, DeafChipmuck!
I definitely will write a thank you note to Pepsi!!
I love that ASL ad!!!
It’s a GREAT GREAT exposure to the Deaf Culture and ASL!
I’ve got emails from hearing friends, including Pearl Jam fellows, who immediately thought of me and they loved the ad!!!
Take a hike, AGBell
I just sent a thank you note to Pepsi. It’d be great if everyone writes a thank-you to Pepsi for the deaf ad.
Lame.
Hey Tayler,
Wow! AG Bell that is ENOUGH.
Thanks for sharing,
Bobby L.
I thought it was great for Pepsi to show that ad with ASL. Well-done and funny. AGBell’s position is irrationally ironic: complaining about the ad while stressing about diversity.
It’s right there in the first line of the sentence: “Although we appreciate Pepsi’s efforts to encourage new promotional ideas from your rank-and-file employees and your willingness to celebrate diversity….
AGBell appreciate Pepsi for coming up new ideas and for diversity’s sake but bitch about Pepsi for doing a creative, clever ad contrary to AGB’s philosophy? Does the world revolve around AGB and Pepsi must ask AGB for permission?
Irrationally ironic!
We men must also issue a statement to Pepsi that not all men are stupid and rude and get lost, right! ; )
That was a worthless statement they issued, saying nothing.
NAD is for advocacy for all deaf, ASL or not, right?
Who is the equivalent (to AG) for ASL Advocacy?
I think maybe an opportunity is being missed? Instead of responding with a rebuttal to AG Bell’s comments, ignore the comments and instead praise Pepsi’s efforts. THAT an individual can do; no one has to wait for NAD. Instead of saying that AG Bell does not represent the diversity of the Deaf community, write to Pepsi saying how much their commercial is appreciated, how great it is to see the beauty of ASL being represented on such a national platform, how thrilling it is to see ASL used as the language of choice etc. If Pepsi can be inundated with positive, supporting emails and letters, the AG Bell complaint will compare poorly. There would be many positives….and one negative. There is an old PR saying that one negative comment counts for just a few consumers, but one positive comment counts for MANY consumers cuz most people only bother to contact a company with a complaint. So write in POSITIVE support for the commercial and the AG Bell will then be easily dismissed.
Deafchipmunk is so right. And u can send ur POSITIVE support for the commercial to:
PepsiCo, Inc.
700 Anderson Hill Road
Purchase, NY 10577
(914) 253-2000
Hey, AGB, Scram, please!
AGBell’s line “perpetuating the myth that all deaf people use sign language” is not the only thing in the protest letter. There must be some more comments that Youdelman, the president of AGBell Ass., wrote and failed to mention in the news release. One comment springs to your eyes is “miracle of sound”. What a disgusting and audistic line! Sound be a miracle! Sound is also noise and is noise also a miracle?!! Sound can just be a scourge for some people. Is silence so horrible? Silence is indeed GOLDEN.
Sound – a miracle?
No, Silence is golden!
Merry Mute
Sadly, I learned that Alexander Graham Bell’s organization is complaining against the Deaf Commerical in American Sign Language.
It is not proper for this Nazi minded AGB followers to attack us, the Deaf Community with ASL. They will face in the judgement of God for making us, former victims of inferiority, handicapped communication and abuses through oralism, became “evolutionistic hearing people”. Do not curse the Deaf, Leviticius 19:14a.
A lot of us did spend many years of learning speech and listening distorted sounds when ASL was taken away. Our speech is still not understandable by hearing people. Some of former victims still suffer inferiority, lack of language development and struggle to overcome lack of self esteem.
We have a right to choose UNDERSTANDINGS, RICH EDUCATIONAL BENEIFTS, AND HEALTHY COMMUNICATION through American Sign Language.
AUDISM AND PREJUDICE AGAINST INNOCENT DEAF PEOPLE WITH AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE IS SIN!!!
Who made the deafness? GOD! Exodus 4:11
I have some questions for you, AGB followers
Are you aware that some hearing people , who can speak and hear well , have any problem with reading in America?
Are you aware that some hearing people have speech disabilites? Some Deaf have the same speech disabilites.
A few cases do not mean all cases are succesful in oralism like what AGB Bell followers ” do believe” ALL. They are big liars!
Just blogged about AGB and PepsiCo. Have information from good sources about PepsiCo mystified by AGB’s reaction to the ad. See it there.
We, the Deaf people are in the healing process from the effects of internalized oppression and we are currently standing and educating anyone or audists to step back and look at our positive educational and life background. They need to treat us equitably with respect – bilingualism – ASL and English. I believe Pepsi’s purpose to make their commercial to be demonstrated as it was given as a gift to educate the world an opportunity to see our “true color” culture with native language, values, humor, social interaction, and tradition.
I feel that I should read what AGB’s Jan. 31 , 2008 letter said to Pepsi Co .
Dear Ms. Hamp,
On behalf of the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (AG Bell), we are writing in regards to the airing of your upcoming Super bowl commerical high lighting deaf characters. Established in 1890 AG Bell is the only national organization dedicated to supporting children and adults who are deaf or hard of hearing who use spoken language and hearing technology to communicate in mainstream society.
Although we appreciate Pepsi’s efforts to encourage new promotional ideas from your rank-and-file employees and your willingness to celebrate diversity, we would be remiss if we did not call your attention to the fact that your advertisement offers a limited view of the deaf community. Since you have chosen the Super Bowel as the forum to launch this campaign, and because of Pepsi’s size and statute, we feel a responsibility to offer our perspective on this somewhat misleading sterotype presented in your advertisement.
We trust you understand that deaf and hard of hearing invdividuals are a diverse group and therefore do not fit into a single, distince culture. Your advertisement perpetuates a common myth that all people who are deaf can only communicate using sign language and are, therefore, isolated from the rest of society. In fact, today’s hearing technology, coupled with early screening identification and intervention, has led to incredible advances in listening and spoken language skill development. Of the more than 30 million Americans who live with hearing loss, the majority use spoken language as their primary mode of communication.
We would also like to remind you that with the amount of money Presi will spend on just one 60 second spot to air during the Super Bowl, you could help an untold number of families obtain hearing aids and other professional services that are costly and in many cases not covered by medical insurance. We would be very willing to work with Pepsi to develp some creative ideas to promote other facets of the deaf community and to work with Pepsi to develop some creative ideas to promote other facets of the deaf community and to highlight positve role models who have met the challenges of this condition and thrived using spoken language. In addition, we invite and encourage your particpipation at our 2008 convention to be held in Milkwaukee, Wisconsiin, June 27-30: the largest gathering of families with deaf and hard of hearing children in the world.
Your continued involvement in this issue would go a long way to educate the public about this oftentimes invisitble condition and promote appreciation for those invdividulas that go above and beyond to overcome the absence of something many of us take for granted – the miracle of sound.
Sincerely,
Karen Youdelman, Ed.D Preseint and Alexader T. Graham , Executive Director.
******************
I strongly urge you all, deaf Community with ASL to write responding this letter and let them know what you think of their letter to the Pepsi Company.
Why in the world AgBAD do still want to work with Pepsi CO with their own big head to invade and destroy ASL ?
A Deaf Pundit, on January 31st, 2008 at 1:09 pm Said:
You can send Pepsi a thank you note by going to this url:
http://www.pepsiusa.com/help/help.php?or=
PLEASE send Pepsi a Thank and important to impress Pepsi. I agree with Deaf Pundit I did send Thank and it is our DEAF CULTURE I love it
I’ve been deaf since I was 9 months old. I went to an oral school, where sign language was and still is forbidden now. The Cleveland, Ohio area deaf awareness is NIL!!!!!!!
I don’t want to see any more sad children being made fun of poked at and humiliating them at oral school because they still talk funny. it’s how hearies hear them and talk about that.
When anybody sees some one using sign language, they would simply know that that person is deaf and move on without looking strange at them. That’s what I call normalacy!
Oralism is good for certain people who lose their hearing and learning how to read lips and speak as much as they think they can.
AGBell and oral schools should be outlawed for twisting the arms of and brainwashing the hearing parents who have deaf children to attend their schools where they talk about cochlear implants and all the false hopes that their children, one day can become hearing! My ass!
That’s the worst thing ever because it robs the deaf children of their self esteem growing up being made fun of at and that can lead them into hiding and ashamed of the public.
AGBell, keep the deaf students self-esteem boosting higher than you can imagine by leaving them the HELL alone and accept your mistakes for once and all.
ABG ….I am getting sick and tired of your organization trying to sabotage anything that has to do with ASL. If you want something like this,,, then get in touch with PESPI CO and ask to do a show in ORAL
ABG….. my last words to you is to READ MY LIPS… STOP WHINNING AND GET A LIFE!!!!
Hey AGBell get lost will you. I am tiring of your put up with our ASL. We Deaf people need sign language not oral. I barely readlip. look at my family, they are all Hearing families. They sign to me beacause I need visually Sign language really Help me to understand in our communicatation. it is very vital to all Deaf community and I dont want Deaf children suffer with AGBell. We dont need our children suffer in the future ahead of us. We want ASL representive to all Deaf Community. Some day and I mean someday soon. I am going to make sure AGBell and Orally Organization thrown in Trash for good and I meant it!!!!!!!!
I have big word for AGBell………..Get Lost!!! BTW, I am Proud to be DEAF and Native ASL(American Sign Language)
GOOOO away, u are no good to deaf community….. U have done so much damage. U are doing more harm…..
Again, we must educate AGB followers again and again. Bring more nails and drillers to get through their hard-heads. No matter how powerful they are, we must teach them again and again. We must keep fighting for our freedom and creating the lives for the good among Deaf people. Stand up and Be Strong… and Be Optimistic.
Praises to Pepsi Co. for their great contribution for the Deaf Community. And I love it for they reflect how important the Diversity is. Anyway, I am looking forward to see the TV commercial. Please keep sending Pepsi praises and positive comments.
back off your own business… superbowl is big time commerical and we need to educate those people about deaf world. BACK-OFF
Perhaps AG Bell members forgot that there are thousands of commercials that have been broadcasted over the years using their preferred mode of communication which seems to be spoken English.
Nevertheless, when we see a commercial that we appreciate or enjoy, shouldn’t we send positive comments to that company?
I grew up oral and I KNOW I have been missed out a lot in the past. No question about it. AG Bell organization is clueless what ASL has to offer. My life would not be like what I have now if it were not for ASL. ASL gave me a lot of opportunities where being oral only doesn’t have anything to offer. I can’t understand why they would push out ASL? Not only that but self-awareness is a big thing too. ASL and Deaf culture gave me a reason to accept who I am, not Oral. Pity…
Thank you to Deaf Pundit for posting the URL to Pepsi. I encourage everyone who values Deaf culture to send a note of thanks. Here is what I sent.
Hello Pepsi People,
I would like to commend you on your upcoming ad that highlights Deaf awarness and Deaf culture. I am a reading specialist at a state school for the deaf, and it is very rare for our students to encounter mainstream examples of Deaf culture/Deaf pride. To have such an example is the coup de gras of mainstream exposure (a Super Bowl ad) and gives a huge boost in the pride we try to instill in our students regarding their culture and native language. I understand that the AG Bell folks sent a message to the contrary. Such controversy over how a Deaf child should communicate is legend, and frankly, old news. There will always be hearing people, many well-intentioned, who do not understand or heed the research into the language development of deaf children. These people do not understand that deafness is not a disease to be cured, but a state of being that can be celebrated, humor and all. Thankfully, you folks at Pepsi do.
Bravo Pepsi,
A former Diet Coke gal
Sorry AGB folks… That the letter did more harm than good – you just cried like a crybaby by not respecting diversity. The diversity is what makes the world tick today!!!
We all are in this together and to respect the others who we all are – no matter what your AGB-only philosophy views are.
Oh please GROW UP AG BELL!!! Dont be crybaby.. DEAF POWER!!! ASL POWER!!!!!!!!!!! Please back off….
“Of the more than 30 million Americans who live with hearing loss, the majority use spoken language as their primary mode of communication.”
That is misleading.
It should say: “Of the more than 30 million Americans who live with hearing loss, the majority used spoken language as their primary mode of communication. However, 3/4 of the majority has been switched to sign language as their primary mode of communication.”
I forgot to include Alexander Graham Bell Assoc’s address in my comment as above.
Please write to Alexander Graham Bell Association
for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
3417 Volta Place NW
Washington, D.C. 2007
Tell them to stop prejudice against the Deaf Community with ASL especially AUDISM. Share your experience when ASL was taken away with that President Youdelman and Director Aleander T. Graham.
Don’t forget that factually Alexander Graham Bell used sign language to communicate with his deaf wife under dining table! So I found it so ironic that AGB association is opposed to ASL. Let alone Pepsi commercial knowing millions of Deaf TV viewers will enjoy for the first time a real Deaf culture being shown nationally.
Look, AGB!!! I used to be an oralist. Thank God for my wonderful fully ASL husband for teaching me so much!! I missed so much all my life being so miserable and misunderstanding. Wake up!!! Deafies can do anything!!! Butt out!!!
What happened to the Deaf Commerical? I believe that AGBell President Karen Youdelman and AGBell’s followers attacked us by sending too many letters to the PepsiCo President complaining about the Deaf Commerical.
Why don’t we start the Protest against the AGBell ’s President and get the world wide’s attention to their AUDISM through CNN News?
I want to hear your reaction toward that incident.
AGB Association should be permanently disbanded!!
As you know we all have different language and everyone can pick any language they can pick. So with sign language for deaf people to use and hearing people can use it. It is freedom of speech why deaf have to be cut out of our rights. Hearing have no right to take away our rights. Hearing baby can sign why we cant that is a joke to keep us oral only . Come on be equal and pride it is beautiful and thanks god that deaf people can have something to talk than nothing so with different language in the world . We are happy why dont you. Let commerical respect any language and we are equal as always. Thanks to Pepsi Co to do something for us cuz i love to drink pepsi too.
My comment for AGBell… They all can go to hell for trying to take our sign language away. American Sign Language is an ACTUAL language that they CAN’T EVER take away our language. AGBell will and never understood our ASL diversity community!
Re: Former Victim of Oralism and Audism’s comment on what happened to the commerical……
Right after the game and with great disappointment, I was dismayed to learn that Bob’s house commercial was aired during pre game show (terrible show as stated by The Post writer in today’s paper) just before the start of bowl game. I found it odd! Did anyone of you know? Were they pressured by AGB, the most misleading organization on Earth or should I say in the whole Solar System? Some other commercials were aired more than once. In addition, again majority of them did not have CC, another huge setback. Companies make zillions, yet they have no heart for us! Why cannot we have the same pleasure as the hearing viewers do? Don’t Big Shots realize they will lose hearing one day ? FCC MUST make it MANDATORY to CC on everything!! Period!
hello everyone …they should put deaf person in that commerical … darren wears implant and mostly oral … so why waste time doing all this … never seen that guy at deaf social or event … that really blows for the deaf community… good luck wasting ur time supporting darren…. hey deaf mom … its true about darren….
Hmm pooky…
Just because Darren may be busy with his life working to pay bills, etc… doesn’t mean he doesn’t want to be with deaf people or being part of the deaf community.
Just because he wears CI and speaks orally doesn’t mean he does not consider himself deaf. He does use ASL with deaf people.
I am no different than I was before I got my CI. Even before I got my CI, I am always busy with raising my hearing children and going to school for years that I don’t even have time for social life – whether it be with deaf or hearing.
I deserve no support from the Deaf Community if I did a commercial in ASL? And/or because I am not involved in the Deaf Community?
Just curious…
I was told that the Deaf Commerical in ASL was aired at 4:09 before the SuperBowl game….. too early bird before the start of the game.
IamMine,
well we are suffering of oppression that we learned from hearing people and then oralists do against ASL deaf people, isolation in the hearing crowd who ignore our attempt of communicating with due to lousy speech I spent for 14 years. Hearing people do not care to socialize with deaf oralists anyway. Audism is still carried from Alexander Graham Bell in 1900’s to present. You need to understand that audism means hearing people tend to deny our honesty of inability of hearing …. racists mean s people from different groups like white people to black people, holocaust means people hated Jews . Everything is successful but not AUDISM. Hearing people who hate ASL, still control you and me (ex oralist) by trying to stop our good attempts of educating people of our excellence of frustration in understanding when ASL Is taken away.
Then you stated ,”I deserve no support from the Deaf Community” That is not correct. Did you read the Alexander Graham Bell Ass’n’s letter to the Pepsi Co President against ASL we use. That organization hates ASL and still oppress us for years.
How True! I feel the people’s pain (who used to be and are still oralists.) I grew up and forced to take speech therapy class at school for 11 years. That was against my parents and my will. Finally, one day — with my own traumatic experience at McDonald’s Restaurant ordering foods by using my voice – mandated by my speech therapy teacher. I attempted to order for 8th times, cried, begged for paper and pen (was forbidden to do), felt so embarrassed and ashamed because I was caught in “crowd’s-eyes-locked” on me on Lunch Rush Hour. After that incident, my mom got angry and took me out of the speech therapy. Now, I know the feeling for what AGB organization did to us and made us miserable and unhealthy. We must stand up and speak out against AGB practices after what they did to me and others. What they did is still unacceptable and unforgivable. We make sure they hear our voices.
Noticeably, I can live without speech and lip-reading – I use ASL at work and still working as a waiter and bartender. I am making awesome tips. ASL helped me getting a waiting table job.
AGAIN – HAIL to PEPSI CO for their contribution to the Deaf Community. I am very proud of those people who are involved in the commercial. Hats to everybody who gave great supports. I told my restaurant manager that we are so damned proud to have Pepsi Co products at my restaurant. He grinned, “GOOD!” Yes, he saw the commercial – he loved it. Pepsi Co won us, new crowd and new customers – HATS to Pepsi Co! I definitely switch my colas to Pepsi.
Thank you, Pepsi Co!
BB,
You hit the nail on the head!
Why do we not sing a song
on TV before over 150 million
hearing viewers:
“O say can you lipread me?”
For sure, 150 million hearing
viewers would shout
“Are you out of mind?”
AGBELL stop whining! I like Pepsi commerical is cool about deaf culture.
ASL is communicate with hands . Hearing depend on ear and no nothing about asl communicate…
I used to oral speech but don’t help at all….it is limit mind grow but asl is big grow develope communicate is much easier and understand clear thanks God provide for deaf to use asl commuicate than dumb mind.
AGBell is very selfish and refuse to listen how deaf feeling about asl communicate… they are hard heart not likely as God.
I just read AGBell’s complaint letter. ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? Most importantly, what Karen Youdelman and Alexander T. Graham have clearly misunderstood is that the commercial was specifically about the Deaf community, not the deaf community.
If AGBell is so distraught because they feel that Pepsi focused only on a limited view of the deaf community, then I should expect that they will hold themselves to the same expectations during their 2008 Convention. At their upcoming 2008 convention, will they hold themselves responsible to “celebrate diversity” by “promoting appreciation” for Deaf individuals who use ASL in addition to those who do not communicate using sign language???
…..I am a COKE person…..so if you are too and we should tell them to put in a Deaf commercial next Super Bowl! … we need to think of another good ole Deaf custom…..I love to flip light switch at workplace to get attention of my co worker who of course is the only one to come out of her cubic office. Hearies just don’t get it…they think light flickers due to short circuit… Ha…
whts A.G.Bells problem with Deaf Community.
If he doesn’t like the way Pepsi did the comercial thn that his problem
The comercial should of played more durrung the Super Bowl.
The pre Game had no close caption.
A.G. Bell stop winning like a baby.
A.G.Bell did try to get rid of The Deaf cultture.
A.G.Bell is a Jackass.
He Should live with the hearing world and leave the Deaf World Alone.!!!!!
If you would observe carefully, you would notice every part was included- hearing aid, sign language, captioning, usage of oral method and speech-reading. It satisfies every aspects of different deafness including NAD and AGBell and whomever! Power to Diversity! :0)
You are right in this regard. Yet, AG Bell wrote a letter of complaint to Pepsico. AGB complained because they could not see the flying hands of the two deafies.
So far we know many d/Deaf people with CI had shared their experience in suffering in many ways when they have to have CI on… like it is too hurt if their heads are touched, some vomiting with bad headache. and etc through the VBlog, why don’t we urge the CNN News to have the CI victims shared their frustration with CI on the TV. I am sure that case really help a lot to convince the FDA and others who took AGB’s improper advices against ASL .
Please go for it now!
If you really watched the commercial, you could read the lips of the driver, so oralism was being included. HELLO!!
Hurray for Pepsi!! It was a great move. Watch for more commercials that celebrate people of diverse abilities.
Drink more Pepsi! I like it better than Coke, anyway.
What a pleasant surprise to see the volume of comments regarding the Pepsi Commerical! It’s refreshing to know that so many of us continue to express our feelings and support our Deaf Community. Since I am from the Cleveland area, I would like for Mr.Len Miller, comment #78 to contact me. I am the Program Director of Community Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing at the Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center. The best way to contact me is by e-mail at: sbungard@chsc.org
Thank you!
ASL is such a wonderful vibrant language. . Why can’t people just accept us for who we are, instead of smearing the wonderful Pepsi campaign? IT is one commercial that has been written, produced and acted by Pepsico staff.
Fellow alumni from my NTID days and I am proud to see Darren and other Deafies together showing the world a popular Deaf Joke during the pregame show.
But AGB had to write a spoiler to Pepsi Co. Shame on them for dredging up history again… NO smiles to AGB on this at all.
Big smiles to the NAD advocating for the community, Pepsico and the wonderful team that made this commercial possible.
Great efforts!! Lets keep rolling our sleeves for positive advocacy through media.
Lisa Chiango
Lisa_Chiango@yahoo.com
Video Producer,
Emerson College, MA ‘06
Gally and NTID alumni
this pespi deaf commerical had nothing to with AGB compliant. It had to do with positive joke about hearing and deaf world. The ASl is part of many many lanugages that used in usa. AGB is only one against ASL. t hat is plain dumb.
I am so proud of pepsi for thinking outside the box and not using the “norm” for once to advertise for their product. AGB is just “ONE” method of the many methods that people use to educate deaf children. AGB needs to realize they are not the only way and that it should be a big step forward for the deaf community that our culture is being acknowledge. Thank you Pepsi!
Really shame that they try to remove sign language from deaf’s communication. If we all deafies learn to read lips without sign language and we will misunderstand a lot of lip reading communication only. For example: Window and raincoat look almost same on read lips. Go looking at your mirror to say “window”, then ” raincoat” without voice. See what I mean. I prefer total communication that means with sign language, not without sign language to prevent a lot of misunderstand.
I grew up in hearing environment and was told not to sign language but used my voice and lip-reading only from my deaf school during late 50’s to my hearing parents. When I accident signed language and I got punishment from my deaf school by demerit and I grew up ashamed using sign language. Finally I overcame the ashamed of using sign language. But once a while I still felt ashamed feeling back and I ignored this flashback to continue using sign language. I misunderstood a lot from lip-reading only as my primary communication and it was awful! I am sooooo glad the world out there change and educated about the sign language and deaf world. Whew. I do not want to go back to the same bad experience again in the future.
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