Audists and Audism
By Laurie E. Burman | Wednesday, November 26th, 2008I was recently called an “audist” by a sign language interpreter on my staff, and believe me, it was not a compliment. Audism is a term used to describe attitudes and actions by people in the hearing world that oppress those who are Deaf. Audism, like racism…judges, labels and limits…The belief is that hearing people feel they are superior to Deaf because they can hear. It might be because I am Jewish but words that end in ISM such as anti-Semitism, racism, sexism and now AUDISM are words that are powerfully repugnant to me.
I told the interpreter that I wanted to share a story with her. A long time ago I had an assistant who I was very fond of, and she, me. One day an elderly Jewish lady, whom I’ll call Mrs. Goldstein, had an appoinment to purchase hearing aids. When she left without purchasing them, Katie, my assistant, asked “did Mrs. Goldstein try to Jew you down on the price?” What was so upsetting to me was that she had absolutely no idea that what she was saying was offensive, bigoted, insulting and just plain ignorant. I explained that to Katie and vowed to myself that I would help teach her the truth…it is the only way to combat prejudice.
I asked my staff person to help me in the same way. I am not an audist…but I may occasionally say things that might make it seem, out of ignorance that I am. Rather than make derogatory comments I asked her to take the time to educate me. I am very open to listening and learning.




