Signs of solidarity for deaf black people

Carolyn McCaskill, a professor in Gallaudet University Department of ASL and Deaf Studies, explains how deaf African Americans show their shared identity through their unique sign language.
Sign language, like spoken language, has regional variations (people sign more slowly in the South, for example), as well as features that reflect gender, age, socioeconomic status and, it turns out, race.
At 15, McCaskill transferred to an integrated school, where she saw white students using one hand rather than two to convey terms such as “why” and “don’t know” and employing entirely different signs for everyday words.When she went home, she switched again to reassimilate to her own black culture, recalled McCaskill, who was on the panel.
McCaskill’s code-switching remains a common experience for deaf black students, who often change to accommodate whites. Read more: wapo.st/2SKw7Gx. Subscribe to The Washington Post on CZcams: wapo.st/2QOdcqK
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[@hallelove.]

This is a very educational video. I was not aware that even sign language was different because of segregation.

[@abraxasjinx5207]

It doesn't necessarily have anything to do with segregation; different communities have different ways of communicating. When she referred code-switching, that is something hearing/speaking people do as well. That's why it's so important to preserve these ways that we all talk to one another.

[@Flower_Power9]

I’ve studied ASL for 2 years and I’ve always wanted to learn BASL. No colleges talk about this.

[@amandastepp7331]

Portland Community College has a course about black deaf culture

[@beth1188]

Signs are even different from state to state all very interesting

[@abraxasjinx5207]

I wonder if signing can have an "accent".

[@LongLiveHIM666]

I really appreciate this video. I never knew about this. Thank you.

[@jmoney1099]

This needs more views! We all need to know about this.

[@leahfuller8312]

This was something I had not thought of before watching this video I appreciate this information being put out there.

[@nancywood2832]

Great video. You rock

[@SignkidTV]

Amazing