CHAPTER 6: Oppression, Power And Interpreters

Question 1

DPN

Answer 1

Deaf President Now events in Gallaudet University in 1988 which were historic and marked the beginning of significant political activism.

Question 2

Humor

Answer 2

Members of minority groups have historically used humor to persevere with people without experiencing empathy, as well as other feelings.

Question 3

The myth of neutrality

Answer 3

It is not possible for emotionally healthy individuals to work with people without experiencing empathy, as well as other feelings. Acknowledge the affect your work is having on you.

Question 4

Vicarious trauma

Answer 4

Trauma that results from observing another person’s traumatic experience.

Question 5

Compassion fatigue

Answer 5

a numbing of one’s emotions and an inability to interact with others with appropriate empathy (mostly happens in extended lengths of time in legal, medical or therapeutic settings).

Question 6

Power: Implications for interpreters

Answer 6

Do not deny you have power, begin a lifetime of reflection and know that interpreters are not the Deaf Culture Experts.

Question 7

To be an Ally of the Oppressed

Answer 7

• Learn about oppression
• Help others understand
• Recognize you are part of the problem
• Remember you cannot see as clearly as those who are oppressed
• Make a list of your invisible privileges to shed light on them
• Do not take a leadership role
• Do not take credit for an oppressed group’s process of liberation
• Do not be their spokesperson
• Do not expect them to welcome you as their ally
• Develop and maintain friendships outside of your employment involvement.

Question 8

Interpreter backlash

Answer 8

frequent comments about hearing people; having to laugh at (and often interpret) jokes that make fun of interpreters or hearing people in general; interpreting the comments of a Deaf person who is blaming or criticizing you for something

Question 9

Deaf humor

Answer 9

Don’t become offended by jokes aimed at hearing people or hearing culture; learn to laugh at yourself and your inevitable cultural faux pas

Question 10

Myth of Neutrality

Answer 10

The impossibility for emotionally healthy individuals to work with people without experiencing empathy, as well as other feelings