Teaching Vulgar Terms and Phrases in American Sign Language is not OKAY.
Kyle Morris’ ASL Translation of this article can be found here.
In popular culture, social media creators with a clout are seen as influencers. However, not everyone can become an influencer. Many Deaf and Hard of Hearing creators became influencers based on their interests ranging from teaching signed language to parody skits based on their lived experience as Deaf and Hard of Hearing people in their respective countries that attract massive audiences.
Their audiences are made up of Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Hearing followers to view their contents. The motivation behind their contents vary depending on a social media Deaf and Hard of Hearing creator’s intentions. Their intentions could be clear or ambiguous depending on the audience’s perspective.
Many Deaf and Hard of Hearing influencers are also signed language teachers. Many of them provided their free and paid signed language courses for non-native signers. It is important to note that hearing creators have been doing the same thing for their non-native speaker audiences.
For this article, I’m discussing the issue of teaching signed language related to teaching vulgar American Sign Language (ASL) terms and phrases to their audience. As a matter of fact, vulgar terms and phrases exist in many languages across the world.
Teaching vulgar terms and phrases in ASL is still a hot-button topic because many Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities are aware that teaching these vulgar terms and phrases can lead to unintended consequences. These consequences often relate to shaping broader society’s recognition and appreciation of the linguistic position of American Sign Language in America.
This is not the first rodeo that Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities faced. In 2013, Kristin Henson, white hearing woman, published a Super Smutty Sign Language book based on her YouTube channel, Dirty Signs with Kristin, to share all the vulgar terms and phrases that she learned from her times as a RIT student for her audience. This situation became hotly-debated on social media platforms. Many Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities were outraged was an understatement.
Here we are again with two Black Deaf creators, Ronnie McKenzie (@kingron94l) on Instagram and Chad (@chaadcrb) on TikTok, teaching these vulgar terms and phrases based on their audience’s requests. Both signers are not clearly fluent and they are being consistently called out by Black Deaf creators and influencers for their erroneous and offensive signs. It is also important to note that not every Deaf and Hard of Hearing person are fluent signers. Ms. Deaf Queen (@msdeafqueen) called Chad out. Check her reel https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cq9i5qpvwOI/ and many Deaf people commented under her reel.
Often, non-fluent signers will usually resort to teaching non–signer people these terms for instant gratification. Rarely, non-signer people will be inspired to learn and develop a sense of appreciation for American Sign Language as a language of Deaf communities if they learn from these vulgar terms and phrases first.
It is completely distracting and the perception of Black Deaf creators teaching vulgar terms is problematic for Black Deaf communities in general. Also, it impacts how hearing people’s perception of Deaf people in general.
We are only two months since Justina Miles (Black National Anthem and Superbowl Halftime for Rihanna), Keivonn Woodard (Last of Us), and Mila Davis-Kent (Creed 3) appeared on our screen. They brought a positive light on American Sign Language and the representation on the screen, but influencers like Chad (@chaadcrb) has 1.2 million followers with 21 million likes on TikTok, and Ronnie McKenzie (@kingron94l) has 130K followers. Some of Roonie’s vulgar content reels have over 70k views.
Chad and Ronnie carried more influences on the perception of Black Deaf signers and American Sign Language as a true language. Their vulgar terms and phrases overshadowed many signed language creators and their passionate works. Ronnie’s bio stated his intention about teaching ASL clearly. (“I’ll teach you how to cuss people out in ASL”)
All influencers do have responsibilities to educate, inform, and authentically represent the communities they claim to be part of. “Great power comes with great responsibility” — Uncle Ben.
There are many countless great signed language creators on Instagram, and the list remains incomplete, such as
SILENTWORLD (@slntwrlddd), Dru Hollingsworth (@burgundre),
Ms. Deaf Queen (@msdeafqueen), Loni Friedmann (@loni.friedmann),
DJ Deaf Tunez (@djdeaftunez), Curtis Griffin (@vaultkickz3),
DFM (@deaffamilymatters), DEAFinitely Dope (@deafinitelydope), etc.
