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The Martin Luther King Library celebrated it's virtual reopening on September 24 with inspiring zoom chats hosted by DC Public School honoring International Week of the Deaf (#IWDeaf). Dr. Carolyn McCaskill, founder and Director of the New Black Deaf Studies Department at Gallaudet University, and author of "The Hidden Treasures of Black ASL" shared her experience with Black ASL and the educational curriculum funding need for a course in that particular focus study. This virtual chat is critical in today's social distancing society where essential workers are the dominating job market force, and teleworking has saved budgeting operations. Furthermore, what about those who are face with disabilities and require the value in accessibility to live a sustainable lifestyle, where are their vital essential resources and how do they access them? Dr. McCaskill sees the parallels of the deaf community and the black community. The two have faced discrimination, oppression, and both being a minority in society. While in mainstream society, they have similar fights in shaping the world; struggling with acceptance, and removing barriers fought through education system, and online culture discussions. The black deaf culture continues to struggle. Dr. McCaskill who is also deaf has a desire to propose a Black ASL accreditation course to be taught at Gallaudet University with a major in Black Studies and minor in Black ASL. One of the chat attendees asked "how do you compare Black ASL to ASL?" People not familiar may share signs of what it might look like, and typically Black English incorporated into those signs. A women might say "girl please" with a little attitude. A Black person might say "you tripping," suggest Dr. McCaskill. She also expressed while wearing a gold jacket, the goal is to be able to teach a minor in Black deaf studies, but currently there is no course, and keeping those lines of communication open for opportunities to socialized are a step towards the goal. Dr. McCaskill emphasized that in the black deaf community the word pregnant-the sign- is considered a sign of stuck, so there's sign variation. It's important people have an open mind, inviting people to the table and continue a healthy dialogue about what we have in common, and giving each other equal opportunity, sharing those stories being allies for each other. Although Dr. Carolyn McCaskill is near retirement, and is not doing research at this time, there are ways to get involved with the deaf community by visiting the Gallaudet Museum website.
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"The best combination of skills and instincts," former president Bill Clinton says of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in her recent passing. In times of death, most people reflect on life, but did they show the person gratitude and human compassion while they were alive? Not sure Justice Ginsburg would be too pleased with Congress ridiculous gripping that's getting rather nasty by the number of rulings she has set forth. Congress is currently demonstrating how a governing body should conduct themselves at the expense of the taxpayer. "I have often said I would remain a member of the Court as long as I can do the job full steam. I remain fully able to do that," shared Justice Ruth Ginsburg back in July. A job well done, and a lifespan of 87 years, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg passed away on September 18, 2020 at her home in Washington, DC due to complications of metastictic pancreas cancer.
People gathered in the alleyway along U Street in Washington, DC to observe a recent art mural dedicated to Justice Ginsburg. Born in Brooklyn, New York, March 15, 1933, she would grow to become the second woman appointed to the court and served more than 27 years. She received her B.A from Cornell University, attended Harvard Law School, and received her LL.B. from Columbia Law School. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was an Associate Justice for the Second Circuit which includes Connecticut,New York, and Vermont. There are nine justices that make up the Supreme Court, one Chief Justice, and eight Associate Justices. She was appointed from New York on August 10, 1993 by former United States President Bill Clinton. Justice Ruth Ginsburg was instrumental in launching the Women's Rights Project of the American Civil Liberties Union which took the case of Reed v. Reed to the Supreme Court challenging the automatic preference of men over women as administrators of estates. She authored "My Own Words" in 2016, a compilation of her speeches and writings. Wonder what she wrote about this COVID19 pandemic or did she share her thoughts to her family about the virus? Word is that she allegedly shared that she wanted her seat to be filled after the upcoming Presidential Election on November 3. Moreover, we have no record or account of that request. Justice Ginsburg full steam has started to spout less in 2019 when she was admitted to John Hopkins hospital in Baltimore, Maryland after experiencing chills and fever earlier in the day. Later on, one news outlet had inferred that the Justice had passed away then. On July 17, 2020 Justice Ginsburg began a course of chemotherapy (gemcitabine) to treat a recurrence of cancer she would continue bi-weekly chemotherapy to keep her cancer at bay and able to maintain an active daily routine. She later underwent a minimal invasive non-surgical procedure at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. She would later be immortalized next to the Notorious Brooklyn Rapper Hip Hop Artist Christopher "Biggie Smalls" Wallace, for her book cover adorning a crown. Although they both were from Brooklyn New York, they displayed two different bar techniques. Justice Ruth Ginsburg was responsible for enforcing the law, while Biggie would often rap a few bars about how he just wanted to make enough money to feed his daughter and make it out of the hood. It's wonder being able to connect and resonate with similar experiences, but we should always allow for everyone to enjoy their fruits of labor. Justice Ginsburg labored in law for over 40 years. Unfortunately, it wasn't until her death that many people can recount her opinions issued during her 27 years of Supreme Court service, however America had been under a public health emergency pandemic mandate due to the coronavirus which originated in Wuhan, China for many months. Now that millions of small businesses were forced to closed, the words constitution nor justice were in sight starting in March. The only messaging was "stay home," "social distance," "wash your hands," and now cursed into "wear a mask." Moreover, at least Justice Ginsburg doesn't have to suffer any longer and she leaves a legacy that can always look back on with courage because she upheld the Constitution, "Equal Justice under Law." |
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