When you become conscious, you not only think but also live outside of the box.
In 2008, Ryan Commerson released his Master’s Thesis in form of film, “Media, Power, & Ideology: Re-Presenting D-E-A-F”. It was the catalyst that launched the reframing movement in the Deaf community. Then, in 2010, he released “Gallaudet”, a short film that offers a glimpse into the potentiality of the Gallaudet University’s agency and might. Commerson believes that constructive and productive changes are possible if we understand the issues at its core. Life is meant to be lived, for everyone. You are not stuck. Ever.
Questions for you:
Is the enrollment at your deaf school declining? Do you believe it is possible to turn your school around and make it the best it can be?
Is the morale at your deaf school or organization in need for a boost? What do you think is causing the low morale?
Are you having trouble connecting with your students? Are they performing at a level required to succeed?
Is your organization communicating your message clearly? Do the consumers / customers understand what you do?
Are you someone who has the means but unsure what or how you can affect the changes desired?
The world does not exist outside of the mind. You are it. When you transform, the world changes. That is the power of an idea.
It is all about framing.
Framing is everything. Always has been. Kari shares a story of how she came into being.
We are beyond “deaf people can do it!”
Currently, there are federally regulated jobs that are closed off to deaf people. Or Sumains. To quote Nelson Mandela: “It always seems impossible until it's done.”
Again, to create any changes, we first begin with a frame - it’s never been about deaf people’s “abilities”, it’s always the question of perception, grit and will.
Know your worth and a way forward shall emerge.
The Power of Storytelling
Control the narrative. Don’t ask Hollywood to do it for you. Do it yourself.
There are very few media companies (that you can count with your fingers) that controls the *entire* media of the world with population of 8 billion people. Why do they have so much power? Because, they control the narrative.
In essence, whoever holds the megaphone has the power of God.
The Catalyst that Started it all.
It all began with an epiphany: That life is a blank canvas and we, humans, are the painters. We all created this reality and we are free to rewrite it.