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The Chasm Facing US American Deaf Education and Culture | Kay Amey & Jacquelne Gee | TEDxLizardCreek


[Music]

[Music] [Applause]

[Applause]

[Applause] this is Jacqueline Jie she’s a professor

this is Jacqueline Jie she’s a professor

this is Jacqueline Jie she’s a professor of deaf culture and American Sign

of deaf culture and American Sign

of deaf culture and American Sign Language or ASL we both work at Kent

Language or ASL we both work at Kent

Language or ASL we both work at Kent State University

State University

State University Jackie’s going to be talking today in

Jackie’s going to be talking today in

Jackie’s going to be talking today in her first language which was American

her first language which was American

her first language which was American Sign Language so she’s talking to the

Sign Language so she’s talking to the

Sign Language so she’s talking to the deaf community and she’s not

deaf community and she’s not

deaf community and she’s not interpreting so this is rather unique

interpreting so this is rather unique

interpreting so this is rather unique because usually she’s in an interpreter

because usually she’s in an interpreter

because usually she’s in an interpreter role just saying what I’m saying in sign

role just saying what I’m saying in sign

role just saying what I’m saying in sign language so she’s speaking in her own

language so she’s speaking in her own

language so she’s speaking in her own language which is really exciting so I

language which is really exciting so I

language which is really exciting so I wanted to talk about how this topic came

wanted to talk about how this topic came

wanted to talk about how this topic came about we found this chasm facing u.s.

about we found this chasm facing u.s.

about we found this chasm facing u.s. American deaf education and culture so

American deaf education and culture so

American deaf education and culture so it happened that this deaf student she

it happened that this deaf student she

it happened that this deaf student she was a struggling student and she asked

was a struggling student and she asked

was a struggling student and she asked if the Geography Department could

if the Geography Department could

if the Geography Department could provide a note-taker

provide a note-taker

provide a note-taker so we were discussing this as geography

so we were discussing this as geography

so we were discussing this as geography professors and we said why does she need

professors and we said why does she need

professors and we said why does she need a note-taker if she already has an

a note-taker if she already has an

a note-taker if she already has an interpreter so yes Jackie I said why

interpreter so yes Jackie I said why

interpreter so yes Jackie I said why does she need a note-taker

does she need a note-taker

does she need a note-taker she said that’s because all of the words

she said that’s because all of the words

she said that’s because all of the words in English there’s no sign for so she’s

in English there’s no sign for so she’s

in English there’s no sign for so she’s struggling she needs all the notes she

struggling she needs all the notes she

struggling she needs all the notes she has to memorize every single word so not

has to memorize every single word so not

has to memorize every single word so not only that but I was asking my other

only that but I was asking my other

only that but I was asking my other professor she said what is she Spanish

professor she said what is she Spanish

professor she said what is she Spanish why does she need everything in English

why does she need everything in English

why does she need everything in English and so I started corresponding with the

and so I started corresponding with the

and so I started corresponding with the student I soon realized that her English

student I soon realized that her English

student I soon realized that her English level was very very low and her emails

level was very very low and her emails

level was very very low and her emails to me and I I was very surprised by this

to me and I I was very surprised by this

to me and I I was very surprised by this this jurist together to research this

this jurist together to research this

this jurist together to research this topic that we’re talking about today the

topic that we’re talking about today the

topic that we’re talking about today the low level of education and English so

low level of education and English so

low level of education and English so globally 80 percent of the world 70

globally 80 percent of the world 70

globally 80 percent of the world 70 million deaf have no access to education

million deaf have no access to education

million deaf have no access to education it’s true though in the United States we

it’s true though in the United States we

it’s true though in the United States we do have access to education so what is

do have access to education so what is

do have access to education so what is the problem here

the problem here

the problem here so the problem is there’s still a gap in

so the problem is there’s still a gap in

so the problem is there’s still a gap in language acquisition so 95% of deaf

language acquisition so 95% of deaf

language acquisition so 95% of deaf children have hearing parents the

children have hearing parents the

children have hearing parents the problem being they don’t learn ASL so

problem being they don’t learn ASL so

problem being they don’t learn ASL so here they are thinking well in five

here they are thinking well in five

here they are thinking well in five years

years

years my child’s going to learn English then

my child’s going to learn English then

my child’s going to learn English then we’re going to have some great

we’re going to have some great

we’re going to have some great communication times so but the problem

communication times so but the problem

communication times so but the problem being from zero to five years is the

being from zero to five years is the

being from zero to five years is the time when you need language acquisition

time when you need language acquisition

time when you need language acquisition so you even have a place in your brain

so you even have a place in your brain

so you even have a place in your brain where you make connections it has to

where you make connections it has to

where you make connections it has to have a place to go in order to aid and

have a place to go in order to aid and

have a place to go in order to aid and learning so the learning parent thinks

learning so the learning parent thinks

learning so the learning parent thinks that oh well I’ll just wait till they go

that oh well I’ll just wait till they go

that oh well I’ll just wait till they go to school but in fact when you go to

to school but in fact when you go to

to school but in fact when you go to school for a hundred and thirty seven

school for a hundred and thirty seven

school for a hundred and thirty seven years the deaf community has capped out

years the deaf community has capped out

years the deaf community has capped out at a fourth grade level so this is

at a fourth grade level so this is

at a fourth grade level so this is shocking to us what is going on why are

shocking to us what is going on why are

shocking to us what is going on why are they at a fourth grade level in literacy

they at a fourth grade level in literacy

they at a fourth grade level in literacy so we thought what if there was college

so we thought what if there was college

so we thought what if there was college spon seniors who read at a fourth grade

spon seniors who read at a fourth grade

spon seniors who read at a fourth grade level and wrote it at rode at a fourth

level and wrote it at rode at a fourth

level and wrote it at rode at a fourth grade level in English they’d shut this

grade level in English they’d shut this

grade level in English they’d shut this school down so this seems to be okay for

school down so this seems to be okay for

school down so this seems to be okay for deaf students so how did this happen how

deaf students so how did this happen how

deaf students so how did this happen how is it that that’s okay and they’ve been

is it that that’s okay and they’ve been

is it that that’s okay and they’ve been passed along so we found out that in

passed along so we found out that in

passed along so we found out that in 1880 there was a deaf conference in

1880 there was a deaf conference in

1880 there was a deaf conference in Milan and they decided for the Deaf’s

Milan and they decided for the Deaf’s

Milan and they decided for the Deaf’s benefit in order to fit into hearing

benefit in order to fit into hearing

benefit in order to fit into hearing society that they would now Institute

society that they would now Institute

society that they would now Institute oralism and oralism is basically

oralism and oralism is basically

oralism and oralism is basically lip-reading you’re going to mouth the

lip-reading you’re going to mouth the

lip-reading you’re going to mouth the words a lot of their education is based

words a lot of their education is based

words a lot of their education is based on speaking English even though they

on speaking English even though they

on speaking English even though they have nothing to tie that to so sign

have nothing to tie that to so sign

have nothing to tie that to so sign language was forbidden around the world

language was forbidden around the world

language was forbidden around the world so there were some deaf schools that

so there were some deaf schools that

so there were some deaf schools that still maintained both but for the most

still maintained both but for the most

still maintained both but for the most part oralism became the the mode of

part oralism became the the mode of

part oralism became the the mode of operating so let me just give you a

operating so let me just give you a

operating so let me just give you a little feel for what that’s like

so did y’all get that oh I just did the

so did y’all get that oh I just did the first couple sentences of the Gettysburg

first couple sentences of the Gettysburg

first couple sentences of the Gettysburg Address so we’re getting a feel for that

Address so we’re getting a feel for that

Address so we’re getting a feel for that now another another example is I was in

now another another example is I was in

now another another example is I was in Beijing and this was a crazy trip I took

Beijing and this was a crazy trip I took

Beijing and this was a crazy trip I took two little girls two ten-year-olds one

two little girls two ten-year-olds one

two little girls two ten-year-olds one was my daughter

was my daughter

was my daughter and so I got to the hotel I had I had a

and so I got to the hotel I had I had a

and so I got to the hotel I had I had a lot of help to get there and then they

lot of help to get there and then they

lot of help to get there and then they wanted to eat at the Hard Rock Cafe so I

wanted to eat at the Hard Rock Cafe so I

wanted to eat at the Hard Rock Cafe so I I went down to the front desk and he

I went down to the front desk and he

I went down to the front desk and he said oh well I’ll get you a taxi and I

said oh well I’ll get you a taxi and I

said oh well I’ll get you a taxi and I was like oh okay you know thinking that

was like oh okay you know thinking that

was like oh okay you know thinking that I’m gonna use my English and be fine and

I’m gonna use my English and be fine and

I’m gonna use my English and be fine and so he said oh you’ll need this and he

so he said oh you’ll need this and he

so he said oh you’ll need this and he wrote in a little post at the name of

wrote in a little post at the name of

wrote in a little post at the name of the hotel in Mandarin so so then I’m

the hotel in Mandarin so so then I’m

the hotel in Mandarin so so then I’m meeting at the restaurant I got there

meeting at the restaurant I got there

meeting at the restaurant I got there fine and then I’m out on the street

fine and then I’m out on the street

fine and then I’m out on the street thinking I’m gonna have to get a taxi

thinking I’m gonna have to get a taxi

thinking I’m gonna have to get a taxi and I realized no one around me speaks

and I realized no one around me speaks

and I realized no one around me speaks English

English

English not one person no sign I can read I have

not one person no sign I can read I have

not one person no sign I can read I have no idea what I’m doing and I’m panicking

no idea what I’m doing and I’m panicking

no idea what I’m doing and I’m panicking and the girls are looking at me like yay

and the girls are looking at me like yay

and the girls are looking at me like yay and I’m like I’m having a heart attack

and I’m like I’m having a heart attack

and I’m like I’m having a heart attack that I’m trying not to show it so I’m

that I’m trying not to show it so I’m

that I’m trying not to show it so I’m searching my pocket it’s looking and if

searching my pocket it’s looking and if

searching my pocket it’s looking and if finally I find stuck to the back of a

finally I find stuck to the back of a

finally I find stuck to the back of a bill this post-it note with the with the

bill this post-it note with the with the

bill this post-it note with the with the hotel name on it so I hate a taxi I give

hotel name on it so I hate a taxi I give

hotel name on it so I hate a taxi I give him this little piece of paper you go oh

him this little piece of paper you go oh

him this little piece of paper you go oh yeah yeah he’s talking to me I can’t

yeah yeah he’s talking to me I can’t

yeah yeah he’s talking to me I can’t understand him he can’t understand me

understand him he can’t understand me

understand him he can’t understand me obviously but if we get back to her

obviously but if we get back to her

obviously but if we get back to her hotel but I thought this is what a deaf

hotel but I thought this is what a deaf

hotel but I thought this is what a deaf person has to go through every single

person has to go through every single

person has to go through every single day so that’s nothing new for a deaf

day so that’s nothing new for a deaf

day so that’s nothing new for a deaf person so after these dark ages for the

person so after these dark ages for the

person so after these dark ages for the deaf education in America which I’m

deaf education in America which I’m

deaf education in America which I’m talking about for oralism since that

talking about for oralism since that

talking about for oralism since that time that’s been a fourth grade level so

time that’s been a fourth grade level so

time that’s been a fourth grade level so that’s roughly a hundred and

that’s roughly a hundred and

that’s roughly a hundred and thirty-seven years if anyone is above

thirty-seven years if anyone is above

thirty-seven years if anyone is above that level in their education they’re

that level in their education they’re

that level in their education they’re phenomenal they’re having to memorize

phenomenal they’re having to memorize

phenomenal they’re having to memorize and and to get beyond that level

and and to get beyond that level

and and to get beyond that level extraordinary measures so we’ve looked

extraordinary measures so we’ve looked

extraordinary measures so we’ve looked back into history in the 1800’s there

back into history in the 1800’s there

back into history in the 1800’s there was the enabling act by Abraham Lincoln

was the enabling act by Abraham Lincoln

was the enabling act by Abraham Lincoln because of the level of literacy was so

because of the level of literacy was so

because of the level of literacy was so high at a college level he made in all

high at a college level he made in all

high at a college level he made in all deaf college and that was because there

deaf college and that was because there

deaf college and that was because there was so many people that had ASL as their

was so many people that had ASL as their

was so many people that had ASL as their first language so once you have that ASL

first language so once you have that ASL

first language so once you have that ASL as your first language you’re able to

as your first language you’re able to

as your first language you’re able to learn English then you have a place to

learn English then you have a place to

learn English then you have a place to put your learning in your brain so this

put your learning in your brain so this

put your learning in your brain so this this was before the wind of teachers

this was before the wind of teachers

this was before the wind of teachers were at that literacy level so I want to

were at that literacy level so I want to

were at that literacy level so I want to talk about what goes on in the in the

talk about what goes on in the in the

talk about what goes on in the in the typical college classroom so the Deaf

typical college classroom so the Deaf

typical college classroom so the Deaf student would be in the front row there

student would be in the front row there

student would be in the front row there they’d have to watch the interpreter so

they’d have to watch the interpreter so

they’d have to watch the interpreter so that’s there they’re relying on the

that’s there they’re relying on the

that’s there they’re relying on the interpreter for their information

interpreter for their information

interpreter for their information they’re missing out on maybe what’s on

they’re missing out on maybe what’s on

they’re missing out on maybe what’s on the PowerPoint they might show a video

the PowerPoint they might show a video

the PowerPoint they might show a video they’re gonna have to read those

they’re gonna have to read those

they’re gonna have to read those subtitles then they’re gonna have to

subtitles then they’re gonna have to

subtitles then they’re gonna have to watch what the teachers saying not only

watch what the teachers saying not only

watch what the teachers saying not only that but listening to her for her tone

that but listening to her for her tone

that but listening to her for her tone well how’s the how are they going to do

well how’s the how are they going to do

well how’s the how are they going to do that so all of that peripheral

that so all of that peripheral

that so all of that peripheral information is lost and I can think of a

information is lost and I can think of a

information is lost and I can think of a time where my math teacher said I don’t

time where my math teacher said I don’t

time where my math teacher said I don’t want to hear another peep out of you and

want to hear another peep out of you and

want to hear another peep out of you and I went but thought I was really clever

I went but thought I was really clever

I went but thought I was really clever and she said get out like that and I had

and she said get out like that and I had

and she said get out like that and I had to leave and I thought what would this

to leave and I thought what would this

to leave and I thought what would this deaf student know if there’s grumbling

deaf student know if there’s grumbling

deaf student know if there’s grumbling behind them or or they’re getting all

behind them or or they’re getting all

behind them or or they’re getting all that information that you just hear is

that information that you just hear is

that information that you just hear is all lost so not only is the tone lost

all lost so not only is the tone lost

all lost so not only is the tone lost but also here’s an expression in English

but also here’s an expression in English

but also here’s an expression in English and hearing we don’t really exaggerate

and hearing we don’t really exaggerate

and hearing we don’t really exaggerate our expressions it’s kind of weird to do

our expressions it’s kind of weird to do

our expressions it’s kind of weird to do so so when I was watching these

so so when I was watching these

so so when I was watching these interpreters for Jackie’s parents and

interpreters for Jackie’s parents and

interpreters for Jackie’s parents and the exaggeration I’m like geez you know

the exaggeration I’m like geez you know

the exaggeration I’m like geez you know what’s going on there but in fact in ASL

what’s going on there but in fact in ASL

what’s going on there but in fact in ASL when you’re speaking it you also are

when you’re speaking it you also are

when you’re speaking it you also are giving the tone and and so exaggerated

giving the tone and and so exaggerated

giving the tone and and so exaggerated facial expression really means something

facial expression really means something

facial expression really means something so what is this girl saying who knows

so what is this girl saying who knows

so what is this girl saying who knows right so so in fact that’s another gap

right so so in fact that’s another gap

right so so in fact that’s another gap in education so not only is their

in education so not only is their

in education so not only is their literacy gaps but there’s also the tone

literacy gaps but there’s also the tone

literacy gaps but there’s also the tone of the voice missing and then expression

of the voice missing and then expression

of the voice missing and then expression so think of the tremendous loss and the

so think of the tremendous loss and the

so think of the tremendous loss and the difficulties that they’d have to

difficulties that they’d have to

difficulties that they’d have to overcome for that

overcome for that

overcome for that so there’s also another gap that we

so there’s also another gap that we

so there’s also another gap that we found and that is in culture so this top

found and that is in culture so this top

found and that is in culture so this top picture here is a picture of Jackie’s

picture here is a picture of Jackie’s

picture here is a picture of Jackie’s grandfather when he graduated from high

grandfather when he graduated from high

grandfather when he graduated from high school at the the Ohio School for the

school at the the Ohio School for the

school at the the Ohio School for the Deaf her mother also attended the school

Deaf her mother also attended the school

Deaf her mother also attended the school and they had deaf teachers and they had

and they had deaf teachers and they had

and they had deaf teachers and they had they taught sign language alongside of

they taught sign language alongside of

they taught sign language alongside of oralism so they were really benefiting

oralism so they were really benefiting

oralism so they were really benefiting from this culture wise because culture

from this culture wise because culture

from this culture wise because culture is learned so they had a sense of

is learned so they had a sense of

is learned so they had a sense of belonging a sense of identity and and

belonging a sense of identity and and

belonging a sense of identity and and they just were learning from their first

they just were learning from their first

they just were learning from their first language of American sign language so

language of American sign language so

language of American sign language so the picture below is a picnic I attended

the picture below is a picnic I attended

the picture below is a picnic I attended these are all the folks they now attend

these are all the folks they now attend

these are all the folks they now attend deaf clubs and so it’s pretty much an

deaf clubs and so it’s pretty much an

deaf clubs and so it’s pretty much an older generation thing though now so

older generation thing though now so

older generation thing though now so they have been friends for for ages

they have been friends for for ages

they have been friends for for ages since they were in school together and

since they were in school together and

since they were in school together and they have community and so this was

they have community and so this was

they have community and so this was really cool but it was so strange

really cool but it was so strange

really cool but it was so strange there’s a bunch of people at this picnic

there’s a bunch of people at this picnic

there’s a bunch of people at this picnic completely silent and I’m like

completely silent and I’m like

completely silent and I’m like whispering to Jackie it was just so

whispering to Jackie it was just so

whispering to Jackie it was just so bizarre I thought how could all these

bizarre I thought how could all these

bizarre I thought how could all these people be here not making any noise

people be here not making any noise

people be here not making any noise so what really strikes me though is the

so what really strikes me though is the

so what really strikes me though is the difference between her parents now teddy

difference between her parents now teddy

difference between her parents now teddy her dad he’s there at the ball cap he

her dad he’s there at the ball cap he

her dad he’s there at the ball cap he was from a huge all deaf I mean all

was from a huge all deaf I mean all

was from a huge all deaf I mean all hearing family and he was the only deaf

hearing family and he was the only deaf

hearing family and he was the only deaf and depent

and depent

and depent ten children so they had made up signs

ten children so they had made up signs

ten children so they had made up signs but for the most part did not

but for the most part did not

but for the most part did not communicate with them at all so they

communicate with them at all so they

communicate with them at all so they kind of wave

kind of wave

kind of wave and he was dropped off with his suitcase

and he was dropped off with his suitcase

and he was dropped off with his suitcase at the Kentucky School for the Deaf and

at the Kentucky School for the Deaf and

at the Kentucky School for the Deaf and the parents said goodbye he had no idea

the parents said goodbye he had no idea

the parents said goodbye he had no idea what was happening

what was happening

what was happening they were heartbroken dropping him off

they were heartbroken dropping him off

they were heartbroken dropping him off without knowing what he was what was

without knowing what he was what was

without knowing what he was what was going to happen to him

going to happen to him

going to happen to him so for the first time at nine years old

so for the first time at nine years old

so for the first time at nine years old he learned his name he had never known

he learned his name he had never known

he learned his name he had never known his name before that and he learned

his name before that and he learned

his name before that and he learned American Sign Language and they also

American Sign Language and they also

American Sign Language and they also taught him a trade so he was a printer

taught him a trade so he was a printer

taught him a trade so he was a printer he was a taxpaying citizen and in

he was a taxpaying citizen and in

he was a taxpaying citizen and in contrast oh and he reads at probably a

contrast oh and he reads at probably a

contrast oh and he reads at probably a second grade level and writes as such

second grade level and writes as such

second grade level and writes as such also so contrasting Betty Liu her mother

also so contrasting Betty Liu her mother

also so contrasting Betty Liu her mother she was born to an all-deaf family her

she was born to an all-deaf family her

she was born to an all-deaf family her mother grandparents everything so she

mother grandparents everything so she

mother grandparents everything so she was born into that society and learned

was born into that society and learned

was born into that society and learned the culture she had a sense of belonging

the culture she had a sense of belonging

the culture she had a sense of belonging identity knew why she was being dropped

identity knew why she was being dropped

identity knew why she was being dropped off at the deaf school was happy to go

off at the deaf school was happy to go

off at the deaf school was happy to go there and learn and she reads at a

there and learn and she reads at a

there and learn and she reads at a twelfth grade level she also can write

twelfth grade level she also can write

twelfth grade level she also can write at a twelfth grade level and she worked

at a twelfth grade level and she worked

at a twelfth grade level and she worked for Packard Electric for 25 years

for Packard Electric for 25 years

for Packard Electric for 25 years and also paid taxes and was very much

and also paid taxes and was very much

and also paid taxes and was very much member of society so what’s happening

member of society so what’s happening

member of society so what’s happening now with this culture transfer is it

now with this culture transfer is it

now with this culture transfer is it being transferred in these communities

being transferred in these communities

being transferred in these communities to the new deaf students so here’s my

to the new deaf students so here’s my

to the new deaf students so here’s my answer

answer

answer this is what’s happening with the deaf

this is what’s happening with the deaf

this is what’s happening with the deaf students very very much like hearing

students very very much like hearing

students very very much like hearing students with texting about 7% of

students with texting about 7% of

students with texting about 7% of information comes across in a text

information comes across in a text

information comes across in a text message but this is what you’ll see now

message but this is what you’ll see now

message but this is what you’ll see now it’s kind of a virtual community so is

it’s kind of a virtual community so is

it’s kind of a virtual community so is that a bad thing so it’s not what’s

that a bad thing so it’s not what’s

that a bad thing so it’s not what’s really happened all through history

really happened all through history

really happened all through history here’s this woman she has her toga on

here’s this woman she has her toga on

here’s this woman she has her toga on over her tunic a symbol of a being a

over her tunic a symbol of a being a

over her tunic a symbol of a being a Roman citizen okay but here’s her

Roman citizen okay but here’s her

Roman citizen okay but here’s her daughter running around and just her

daughter running around and just her

daughter running around and just her tunic she’s dropped the toga she’s who

tunic she’s dropped the toga she’s who

tunic she’s dropped the toga she’s who even knows if she’s a Roman citizen

even knows if she’s a Roman citizen

even knows if she’s a Roman citizen anymore so we were thinking isn’t that

anymore so we were thinking isn’t that

anymore so we were thinking isn’t that true that all through history cultures

true that all through history cultures

true that all through history cultures been replaced and the younger generation

been replaced and the younger generation

been replaced and the younger generation were like kids these days

were like kids these days

were like kids these days they’re doing such a thing well is that

they’re doing such a thing well is that

they’re doing such a thing well is that a bad thing that that deaf culture has

a bad thing that that deaf culture has

a bad thing that that deaf culture has kind of turned into this virtual world

kind of turned into this virtual world

kind of turned into this virtual world so we were talking about how the times

so we were talking about how the times

so we were talking about how the times have changed there’s been devastation

have changed there’s been devastation

have changed there’s been devastation though for the deaf community as as a

though for the deaf community as as a

though for the deaf community as as a deaf student you’ve been mainstreamed

deaf student you’ve been mainstreamed

deaf student you’ve been mainstreamed normally or they may be the only deaf

normally or they may be the only deaf

normally or they may be the only deaf student at the school and not only that

student at the school and not only that

student at the school and not only that but you are not a part of a group you

but you are not a part of a group you

but you are not a part of a group you have no culture identity and no sense of

have no culture identity and no sense of

have no culture identity and no sense of belonging so this is a sign here for

belonging so this is a sign here for

belonging so this is a sign here for equality

equality

equality what kind of equality are we talking

what kind of equality are we talking

what kind of equality are we talking about well we were talking about the

about well we were talking about the

about well we were talking about the Equality of language it’s about time

Equality of language it’s about time

Equality of language it’s about time that we can learn about what needs to be

that we can learn about what needs to be

that we can learn about what needs to be done here

done here

done here deaf children really must learn ASL as

deaf children really must learn ASL as

deaf children really must learn ASL as their first language otherwise we’ll

their first language otherwise we’ll

their first language otherwise we’ll never bridge that gap of literacy and

never bridge that gap of literacy and

never bridge that gap of literacy and what we can do by doing that by giving

what we can do by doing that by giving

what we can do by doing that by giving them language we can bridge these

them language we can bridge these

them language we can bridge these culture both the culture and the English

culture both the culture and the English

culture both the culture and the English gap and literacy and by doing that we

gap and literacy and by doing that we

gap and literacy and by doing that we can go back maybe to the 1800s like they

can go back maybe to the 1800s like they

can go back maybe to the 1800s like they once were and be flourishing in society

once were and be flourishing in society

once were and be flourishing in society as poets and literature and now we’ve

as poets and literature and now we’ve

as poets and literature and now we’ve capped them down and oppressed them so

capped them down and oppressed them so

capped them down and oppressed them so that they can cannot overcome that

that they can cannot overcome that

that they can cannot overcome that unless they’re absolutely extraordinary

so thank you

so thank you [Applause]

[Applause]

[Applause] [Music]

”

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