My Bicultural Experience
Being a child of deaf parents has been a growing experience for me. The things I have discovered about myself and our society, I will never forget. I have been fortunate enough to experience two worlds. Though it has been a hard struggle between the two, I survived the clash, to become the person I am today.
People have asked me whether having deaf parents has been an advantage or a disadvantage. An advantage is defined as a benefit or a gain. In my case, I find that I have benefited from my parents being deaf. One of these benefits is the sense of responsibility which I have developed. There have been numerous times when I had to make a phone call, speak for, or handle a business or personal meeting for my parents. Many times I do not mind doing these small works for them, but on occasion I have become irate, agitated, and vexatious when my parents asked me to do them a favor. But I usually do it out of love for my parents and despite it taking some effort, I have become accustomed to the responsibility.
Besides responsibility, maturity has been a big factor involved with my development. My parents would have never entrusted me to do things for them if I was not mature enough to handle these things. They would have never consigned such tasks to me if I were not a responsible and mature person. Through my parents, tremendous self-confidence has grown within me. Without this confidence, I would not have the heart to do the things that I do now. For example, I am president of National Honor Society at m y high school. I would never have never been prepared to take on this position if it were not for my confidence in myself. Speaking, organizing, and making decisions for the benefit of our society and our school, are difficult things to do if one is not prepared to handle the pressures and problems that come up. The confidence I have developed, has enabled me to face my position with determination to do a good job.
Society has, at times, gawked at my parents. People stare, sneer, or mock my parents while my parents are signing. As a result of these occurrences, I have become a very sensitive person. I do not appreciate the inconsiderate thoughts and actions of people. But not all society treats deaf people in this crude manner. Some people show much sincerity and yearn to know more about sign language and our culture. I have, on numerous occasions, taught my friends, family, neighbors, and even teachers sign language. It fills my heart with joy to see hearing people interested and fascinated with sign language.
Therefore, with my bicultural experience, I intend to enroll at Penn State University and major in communications. Then after I graduate, I have plans to become an interpreter for the deaf within our judicial system. I would like to further the progress that has been accomplished by the deaf world. The deaf world has done so much to relate to the hearing world. I would like to get involved with the process of “breaking down the barriers” between our worlds. Someday, I would like to see both the deaf and hearing worlds united out of love for our fellow man.
