Understanding a Prejudice
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I was disturbed by Carolyn See's review of Myron Uhlberg's book "Hands of My Father" ["Breaking the Soundless Barrier," Style, Feb. 27] for a number of reasons. I found it offensive to deaf people and their cultural heritage, as well as to Uhlberg and his father, that See implied that only poorly educated immigrants would be so cruel as to insult those with disabilities.
In fact, those who are deaf have experienced discrimination at every level of society and in all walks of life. Uhlberg's father fought daily against the prejudice and ignorance of nearly everyone he encountered. To dismiss these affronts as coming only from poor immigrants is to diminish the struggle of deaf people to be treated as equals among the hearing majority.
However, to say that Uhlberg "grew up in a sea of shame" is a gross overstatement. In my reading, I found Uhlberg's feelings toward his parents and brother to be pride and love.
-- Nancy J. Boone
Lewis Center, Ohio
The writer is a teacher at the Ohio School for the Deaf in Columbus.
