Black Sign Language and Black English

from Assignment 1 Discussion 7
I watched Charmay's Video called "How to Sign in BASL (Black America Sign Language) | Strong Black Lead. " I analyzed Charmay's explanation of BASL and ASL, and I found that differences are in 1- Handed vs. 2- Handed signs. Black Deaf signers must utilize both hands in a two-handed sign, but White Deaf signers frequently drop one of their hands. Charmay's Black Deaf family spans five generations, and it would be beneficial for them to learn BASL and value their cultures.
In the 1970s, I went to Roosevelt Elementary School in Compton, which had a majority of black and few white students. When I interact with African American pupils, I notice that they are essential to their culture. A couple of my black deaf friends do not speak BASL. They communicate using the SEE (Signing Exact English) sign language. I learned that many BASL deaf signers live in the south, in places like Georgia, Alabama, and others. A few years ago, I did some research on the Reconstruction Era. It is rich in black history and provides additional insight into their way of life and use of sign language. The BASL Deaf signer is new to me, unaware of it. I want to learn more about BASL History to enrich my African American history knowledge.
Response by Feb 24, 2022 at 6:59 PM
Name
Thank you for sharing. Your Slideshow is impressive! I will save this in the future when I become a teacher one day. It would be important for students to understand Black History in the deaf community.
Response by Feb 24, 2022 at 7:40 PM
Name
I understood you completely. You have a similar experience like my daughter is interracial. She has struggled with her identity. She is white, black, and mexican. She makes it hard to choose white, black, or mexican. She decided to choose white because...