Deaf Community: Deaf Community at Work

Deaf Community: Deaf Community at Work

In this video Dick Moore, Sue Ayers, and Janie Golightly describe how Deaf employees at the Post socialized at work.

Zilvinas Paludnevicius

Drs. John S. and Betty J. Schuchman Deaf Documentary Center Collection

2022

This Item has been made available for educational and research purposes by the Drs. John S. and Betty J. Schuchman Deaf Documentary Center at Gallaudet University. This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You may need to obtain permission for your intended use if your use is otherwise not permitted by the copyright and applicable related rights legislation. For specific information about the copyright and reproduction rights for this Item, please contact the Schuchman Deaf Documentary Center: https://www.gallaudet.edu/drs-john-s-and-betty-j-schuchman-deaf-documentary-center

American Sign Language

A video featuring ASL interviews with several subjects. Dick Moore, an older white man seated in a darkened studio; Sue Ayers, an older white woman seated at home; and Janie Golightly, an older white woman seated in a darkened studio. The video begins with a still black and white image of the Composing Room at the Washington Post featuring a row of linotype machines with fair-skin white men seated at each machine, with the text Deaf Community at Work.

Dick Moore: Yes, The Washington Post had a cafeteria. I was working during lunch time or our dinner time. It depended on the shift I was working. When it was lunch or dinner time, we would go to the cafeteria as a group, play cards, eat, chat, and have discussions. So, for instance, if you knew there was a Deaf guy who had a specialty in carpentry, fixing, or plumbing, I'd ask him for advice about what I was struggling with and he would explain and I would understand. It was great. My work group all had their own specialties, areas of expertise and I’d approach them all. We learned from each other. If there was a new update or new computer, we would learn new information through the Deaf group. Now, I find new information scrolling through a tablet. I miss the Washington Post family. It was really wonderful. We would sign and discuss things in depth. I learned alot from that. I benefited a lot from the Deaf group in the cafeteria and when working too.

Sue Ayers: Oh yes, there were all sorts of different Deaf people. They were all from different states. Some would come and leave. Some would stay permanently. I liked living in the Washington DC area, in the metro area. There were so many different people coming into that one area. Deaf people did the same but their area was The Washington Post print shop. Deaf from all walks of life would meet there. It’s the same concept or idea. So sometimes I would ask people what they did, and for example they were from Pennsylvania. I would ask if they were from WPSD or PSD. We would discuss it for a bit, they would describe their school, their fun memories, etc. Then I would move on to another person to chat with. There was always so much news to catch up on, always! I was never bored. I never felt like going to work was a burden, felt it was boring or that I was suffering. I didn’t have to convince myself to go. I never had those feelings. I was thrilled to go to work, because while there it felt like I was at a Deaf club. I knew where the sea of Deaf people were. And I’m not saying I went to work, we chatted and did nothing, not at all. But it still felt like I was going to Deaf club. We chatted when we needed something, or if we had a question, or if we wanted to discuss something. I remember, because there were many Deaf, you had to ask around until you found someone with expertise and ask them about it. Once they explained the topic and it was clear to you, you would go back to lunch or whatever you were doing before.

Janie Golightly: It was like another Deaf Club. Another place we could all chat with each other. I really enjoyed it. We discussed issues, especially, for example, sewing. If I had a problem with my sewing machine, and I was struggling, I could ask a friend who was skilled at sewing, we could discuss the problem, which I was grateful for. It was like an “ASL Consumer Reports” and we would exchange information with each other. Like Mike would often ask about mechanics, car repairs, plumbing, and woodworking, and we would ask each other about these topics. At that time many of the Deaf were very skilled with their hands, so we would discuss those skills. Sometimes while the day went on and workers were coming in for the night, and the day shift got off, I would invite them to the house, to help fix things, or I would go help at their house. It felt like a family. It was amazing. I really cherished that time. It was about 27 years we were a cherished family. I loved having that kind of lifestyle. I was always motivated to go to work. It was never something I had to just bear with. It was like “I get to go to work! Yes!” I enjoyed it. It was always so positive.

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