The book we read, Train Go Sorry, is a book set in the Lexington School for the Deaf, located in Queens, New York The Author, Leah Hager Cohen, tells of her life, how she was a part of the school, how life was like growing up where she was the outsider, a person with the ability to hear, she was the different one. Her parents have, for as long as she knows, worked at the school, her father Oscar being Superintendent and the family also making residence at the school. Her family has been involved with the Lexington School for the Deaf since nearly the beginning, when her Grandfather, Sam Cohen, was a student as well. The Cohen family had came from Russia in the early part of the 20th century, and while at Ellis Island, his family was able to hide the fact that he was Deaf (if found, authorities could have sent them back to Russia). Her Grandmother was also Deaf, and had met Sam after graduation on a boardwalk where it was common for deaf groups to get together. Leah is very fluent in ASL, American Sign Language, and as she tells us throughout the book, she is of the hearing world.
I had never heard of the term "Train Go Sorry". It was something new to me, it didn't even make sense at first. When I first got the book, it didn't catch me to look on the back, which had the definition, which meant "missing the boat". It was still hard for me to get, until reading further into the book. James Taylor, also a student at Lexington, gives us good examples, sadly, of the term "Train Go Sorry". From the situations with his brother in jail, not being able to talk to him again, because of court, to a situation in the train station when a man approached him and asked about a train, only for James to just stare at him, not knowing how to react. It is not his fault though, he has a handicap, it is still something that occurs to him periodically. Another of the main characters in the story is Sofia "Sofa" Normotov. As far as her situation, I think she had one of the biggest moments overcoming "Train Go Sorry", by having her Bat Mitzvah, something that she did not want at first. Being Deaf, and raised in a Communist country, she was not able to practice her faith at her school, not learn about it until she came to Lexington. She overcame her fears, and showed the strength it took to make a decision like that, and seemed to have fun at it.
Leah Hager Cohen, Author, Student, wants to be part of this world. The book is seen through her view, but at some points to tells it in the "Shoes" of other students. She was born hearing. Both her parents were born hearing. It seemed throughout the entire story though, she did not belong in that world, she wanted to be a member of the Deaf world, she wants to belong to a group. But later on in life she does find herself, entering NYU at the age of 16. She later worked as a Sign Interpreter for 2 years, before becoming a writer.
One of the main things that stood out to me happened near the end of chapter 7, when James has a chance meeting with another young individual. The young man asks "The uptown number one?" James has no answer for this, he cannot understand the man. The man may think bad of him, maybe thinking he is ignoring him, but James doesn't know what to do. This is something that I had seen far too often at my old job. They had employed Deaf people before, and i had come to communicate with them whenever I had the opportunity. I do not sign, do not know how, but there are ways without having to speak. Whenever a customer would approach the man that I would communicate with, he would point to his ears. People wouldn't understand why a place would employ him, but I never thought twice about it. He was one of the best at the job, always came into work, never late. It's something that none of us really could understand, I guess the closest would be going to a country not knowing anything, the language, the customs, but still, that is a very rough comparison.
I learned so much about the Deaf community in this book, much that can be useful info for others. The first thing i learned was that there was a difference between American Sign Language and other countries. I guess it was ignorance on my part, but I thought if it was Sign Language, it was universal. Be it British, Spanish, Russian, something that I learned. I did not know that before, when schools were taught, teachers were not allowed to sign. I can't comprehend this. Does the teacher just expect the students too sit all day, and learn nothing. They can communicate too. Learning about the Cochlear implants was interesting, after reading about it, how James had one, I had to get more info on it. As most websites call it, "A bionic Ear". An implant to help Deaf people hear, sending a sensation. I learned about the Deaf struggles in the early part of the 20th century, something that many groups had to go through, but I did not think that those with handicaps would have too. And finally, I learned about the Lexington School for the Deaf itself. A wonderful place, it gives hope to people who otherwise might not feel comfortable in other situations. I looked at the website for the real school, its great that it is still open, the staff has changed, the students change, but the message stays the same.
Deaf West Theatre
This clip is about the Big River play, a Huckleberry Finn story, and there singing portion of the song. Some of the song is hard to understand, I know they are trying there best, and I think it is cool that they are also signing along with the song, helping me learn a few motions.
Marlee Matlin Dancing with the Stars
This video was about Marlee Matlin, the actress, and her performance on Dancing with the Stars. It showed that she, even though Deaf, can do anything as long as she puts her mind to it. And the best part was she did not just show up and get eliminated, she lasted 6 weeks into the show, proving doubters wrong, and opening the door for possibly others in similar situations.
Indiana Visual Arts Day
This seemed like a great day for the Deaf community of Indiana. There was painting, dancing, theater plays, clay molding, so many things going on. It seems that when events come together, It usually leaves certain groups out, but with this, it wouldn't matter if you were from the hearing world or the Deaf world, you could appreciate what was happening.
Waiting for the World to Change
This is a great music video, one that I had never heard of. It gives a great message about the Deaf community, there contributions to society, where they are and where they are headed. Some of the things to talk about, the rake incident. I remember this story, hearing about it on 20/20. It was horrific then, and it still makes me cringe when I hear about it. The police mishandling at its worst. The other that really stood out was the part where the judge was screaming at the man. I couldn't believe it. And watching the video, seeing the Deaf man motion, I can't believe that. The judge had to know that he was Deaf, but it just amazes me that it happened.
The final thoughts of mine on this assignment was that it was my favorite assignment of the semester. We are all human beings, but all of us have our differences. You can be from the hearing world, deaf world, blind, young, old, it doesn't matter. We can appreciate the fact that we all have our differences, and acknowledge our different cultures. The Deaf world can do just about whatever we can do, in some cases do it better, and not have to hide the fact that they are Deaf anymore. Reading this book, I didn't think I would like this. I thought that "My California" was going to be better. I was wrong. My California was good for what it was, but it was really about one thing, one place. California. Train Go Sorry was something that everyone can relate too. Everyone has at least been around, or knows a Deaf person. Not everyone has been to California, not everyone can relate to Cal trans and Seal Beach.
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