During registration last semester, when I decided to take this course to see if I wanted to continue with ASL as a minor, I wasn't sure what to expect. Through my brief introduction to Deaf culture in my early sign language classes, I knew some vague details about historical events. Gallaudet had been mentioned several times not only in my workbook, but also by my professor. I could have given you a brief synopsis of the oral movement that threatened to wipe out ASL as a language. While I knew these facts and some traits of Deaf culture that I had experienced firsthand, there were so many things I hadn't considered before the readings and journals in this course opened my eyes. The deaf community is a group made up of many different people, who all have different backgrounds both culturally and linguistically. Every single person in the deaf community is unique, but they share a common quality that unites them. These people understand what it means to be labeled differently from the "norm" of society, to be discriminated against or misunderstood, sometimes even by their own families. Deaf people share pride in the culture they share. This pride is something everyone can allow themselves to learn from, as the deaf community takes pride in its beautiful and expressive language, as well as the achievements of its members. This linguistic minority group has come together thanks to the physical difference that separates them from normal people, namely their different levels of hearing loss. “The traditional view of deaf people focuses only on what is not there” (TKH p.1) this quote from our textbook is a short synopsis of how most hearing people see those who..... . middle of paper ......class. I learned not only about the history of Deaf culture in America, but also about ASL, cultural norms, and the variety of different personal experiences people faced. I may not be deaf, or the best signer, but as a student I can understand why this community is so proud of its culture, and I hope that ASL continues to grow and spread as a language, so that deaf people can gain an identity in this linguistic minority and have the support they need to feel good about themselves. Deaf culture is a large and important part of American culture as a whole. It is these differences that make this country so different. I hope that one day everyone will learn at least the basics of deaf culture and come to understand that deafness is not a disability, but simply a difference in terms of communication and an entry into one of the most vibrant cultures in society..