14/11/2022
Our response to white entitlement in the interpreting field.
We must always call out, and call in when we see it happening.
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[TEXT:]
Calling out white entitlement in the interpreting field!
Why we need to see more white allies and accomplices doing the work.
what white entitlement does..
white entitlement manifests itself in ways that directly contradict wishes of the bipoc deaf community, and tells itself that no work, no cultural setting is off limits.
It manifests itself in ways that ultimately harm the bipoc deaf and interpreting communities.
we need more allies and accomplices to do this work.
black and brown individuals cannot be the only ones calling for accurate cultural representation.
reverse racism doesn't exist...
Racism is prejudice+power .
"Racism and prejudice aren't quite the same thing. Racism, rather, is best known as a system in which a racial majority is able to enforce its power and privilege over another race through political, economic and institutional means. Therefore racism can be described as "prejudice plus power," as the two work together to create the system of inequality...Most of the time, when the term "reverse racism" is brought up, it is in response to a slight that a member of the dominant group perceives has happened." 1
In the same way reverse racism does not exist. White interpreters are not and can not being discriminated against because of their skin color. they are simply being ASKED TO not take up space in settings where they can not and would never be able to accurately represent the message.
Look to the deaf community...
you may ask yourself,
"WELL ISN'T it the same thing? can't white people experience oppression too?"
let us look to Akilah english, a black deaf phd student, responding to a situation where a white interpreter claims that they were being "ousted for their skin color"2
Oppression vs feelings
"The feeling of being hurt cannot be compared to the violence, psychological abuse, or dehumanization that racially marginalized folks are subjected to on a daily basis. when we focus on feelings, it allows people to ignore and erase the lived experience of bipoc. the power of whiteness is still preserved, no matter what, at any cost."3
Look to the deaf community...
For validation of the harm that white entitlement causes to the bipoc deaf community, we must always look to the bipoc deaf community.
In David Players article, The Power of White Gaze: Erasure of Black Signers, David states:
" White signers are still unconsciously or consciously erasing the existence and cultural footprint of Black signers through their white gazes."4
The fact is white people cannot experience oppression or discrimination at the behest of the bipoc individual. but white individuals continue to perpetuate harm against the bipoc deaf community.
how you can do the work...
Call out and call in when you see white interpreters engage in white entitlement. this is whether you are a colleague, Deaf consumer, director of asl, hiring entity or otherwise.
Remember, interpreting work is rarely guaranteed. it is freelance work, and at the discretion of the hiring entity and consumers.
cultural spaces must be respected. accurate Representation is a key factor in effective interpretation.
to white interpreters...
please stop.
you do not need to interpret in spaces you cannot accurately convey the message. it does not matter where you grew up, who you hang around, who your child is, what workshop you took, and who you have previously interpreted for.
we don't need to see you at the (insert literally any culturally specific venue) interpreting things inaccurately.
just don't accept that assignment.
Sources:
1: What Is "Reverse Racism"? Here's Why It Doesn't Actually Exist in the United States.
https://www.mic.com/articles/140882/what-is-reverse-racism-here-s-why-it-doesn-t-actually-exist-in-the-united-states
2: White ‘Lion King’ sign-language interpreter says he was ousted over skin color
https://nypost.com/2022/11/12/lion-king-sign-language-interpreter-keith-wann-says-he-was-fired-for-being-white/
3: Akilah’s PhD Journey on Instagram: “Oppression vs. Feelings...."
https://www.instagram.com/p/Ck7HEUngR4h/
4: The Power of White Gaze: Erasure of Black Signers
https://dplayer84.medium.com/the-power-of-white-gaze-erasure-of-black-signers-77de766e71d8
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