Before taking an American Sign Language class, I was clueless when it came to Deaf culture. I saw Deafness as a disability rather than a way of life. I especially had no idea about the many Deaf events that occur around Knoxville and the University of Tennessee on a weekly basis! However, from taking this ASL class, I have had the opportunity to learn about and attend a few different of these events, and I have decided that others need to hear about them as well.
Here are a few events that students can attend:
Deaf Nights at Clarence Brown Theatre:
Occasionally, Clarence Brown Theatre at UT offers a special "Deaf Night". This is when the theatre partners up with UT's Center on Deafness and provides interpreters to translate the play. This event raises awareness for Deaf culture and makes the theatre more accessible to the community. The last Deaf Night for the semester took place on March 3rd with A Midsummer Night's Dream, but there will be more to look out for in the fall.
Silent Lunches:
Silent Lunches at UT are designated times where people can come together, eat, and sign. While this event is intended for community among Deaf people, it is a great opportunity for people who are learning ASL or even simply interested in it. The locations of these lunches vary from Einstein Bros in the Haslam Building, to the Thompson Boling Arena dining area.
ASL Menchie's Social:
Menchie's Frozen Yogurt located on Northshore hosts an ASL Menchie's Social every second Wednesday of the month, from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm. During this time, Menchie's will give a special pricing of $5 for a cup of frozen yogurt. This is an evening where Deaf, hard of hearing, and anyone who uses or is learning ASL can meet and socialize.
All of these events are important for providing people within the Deaf community to come together and meet new people. It is also a great opportunity for people interested in learning American Sign Language to practice signing and learn new signs. Since it is summer and a lot of these Deaf events are coming to an end, you can look out for them when they resume in the fall. Deaf Culture is something that deserves more attention, and I believe everyone should be educated on it and aware of it.
