A Diversified Community

Northwest Indiana, historically, has always stood out from the rest of the state. Most presume that it is we are in the proximity of Chicago, only 35 minutes away. The region was the personification of the American Dream, perhaps 50 years ago. Now it is not true. We are fraught with corruption, self-glorification, and disregard for others within our own communities. Historically Democratic, holds the state's top minority populations - Hispanic/Latino and African American/Black, and the state's entertainment center.

What's relevant about this? We break down this region's communities and we see complete diversity within this region. This region also holds the second largest deaf/hard of hearing population of all ages, mostly in Lake County. Yet, we segregate ourselves from each other, rather than taking the opportunity to grab the bulls by its horns and become the utopia each of us dream within our dreams.

Relevant issues: Education, Interpreter quality (Education/Community), Languages, Hearing technology available, Parental/Academic involvement and Community involvement, Racial segregation, and Employment, to name a few.

Gallaudet U. just announced Robert Davila, a tri-lingual speaker, deaf since 8 years old, former teacher at Gallaudet U. and administrator at National Technical Institute of the Deaf (NTID) and Department of Education to head up as the interim President after I. King Jordan steps down December 31, 2006. Anything wrong with this picture? No - Dr. Davila personifies the diverse person and values education at its highest and he's deaf. Any challenges?

As growing up here in Northwest Indiana for 25 years and counting, I do not think I really ever experinced conflicts between communities until I came back from Gallaudet U. in 1997. However, society back in the 1970's and 1980's are different from today's society. One thing is consistent - lack of communication network access. Hearing parents are separated from Deaf parents, deaf children are separated from deaf and hearing children and on. If there was a critical issue regarding interpreters or education, almost nothing is done. If something was done, there was usually a lone person standing in the doorway, making those changes; however, those changes usually impact only 1 or 2 people rather than the entire community.

I recently commented to friends of mine, who are deaf and now have deaf grandchildren - they have an opportunity to take the chance to change things for the better, do it now rather than later and don't wait. The point is, this is OUR community and it is diverse (multi-lingual/multi-cultural). Self-segregation, "someone else will do it", "we have a leader", negative attitudes about one's abilities and limitations imposed by others (even within our own subcultures) prevent us from being able to make changes and become cohesive.

Some of us who are pro-active towards education equality for all children, will tell you the frustration of education for deaf children, is more than the education for them; but the entire school systems. If you can look at one specific group, in this case, deaf children, see how they get their education, you will have the bigger picture of how the school system educates all of the children enrolled for academic advancement and pursuit.

What types of relevant issues that shows us how we do things in this part of the state, we stagnate, refuse to do anything, or leave it to others to do the work. If anyone truly cares, we could do more for the communities we live in, renew and create new bonds, remember the past (don't dwell), live the present and look to the future with open eyes, hearts, and minds. We would do more than just stand alone - create links, links of communities, teaching each other and allowing more than technology advances...true human touch reach out and being strong.

"It takes a village to raise a child." ~African Proverb. That is reality. It also takes a village to raise a village - the people within them. Being afraid of something that (which, who, how, why) is different, which in itself is normal, limits anyone more than others. Look at your neighbors, schoolmates, family members, and whomever, ask yourself, "am I afraid?"