The presentation highlighted various aspects of Deaf culture, focusing on famous Deaf artists, American Sign Language (ASL), Black American Sign Language (BASL), and Deaf performers who express themselves through ASL.
Stella emphasized how language connects us as a community, bridging gaps and fostering understanding. She began the presentation with a powerful quote: “Language holds us; without it, we would be like atoms.” This statement set the tone for the session, underlining the importance of communication and expression within the Deaf community.
As part of the presentation, Stella showed a few videos of individuals using both ASL and BASL, illustrating the ways these languages are used to express identity, art, and emotion. Students watched the videos and that helped students appreciate the linguistic diversity within the Deaf community. Additionally, one of the videos demonstrated how Texas School for the Deaf (TSD) serves as a community for Deaf individuals, reinforcing the sense of belonging and connection that TSD provides.
Throughout the presentation, students learned about prominent Deaf figures in the arts, whose contributions have shaped both Deaf culture and the broader artistic landscape. The session was a reminder of the role language plays in uniting us and celebrating the diversity within Deaf culture.