Deaf Community: Brian Brizendine

Deaf Community: Brian Brizendine

In this video Brian Brizendine reflects on the unique experience of working as a printer.

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 an ASL interview with Brian Brizendine, an older white man seated in the Schuchman Deaf Documentary Center.

Brian Brizendine: Conversation! I really feel like working at The Washington Post was, for Deaf people, compared to other newspapers all around the US, the Post was unique. The reason was, you know, big cities, other places - like New York City, the New York Times, in Chicago, San Francisco, those big towns most of their printers came from that same town. Or the same state. You know? They all knew each other. Sure a few people joined from elsewhere. But The Washington Post? In Washington DC. I can’t think of a single printer who was actually from Washington DC. All of them were from different states and had come to DC. They shared their experiences in residential Deaf schools, their stories, it was so good, I enjoyed it. All of us, it was a lot of laughter and discussion. And I remember there were many Deaf people and they all had so many different talents! Like, if I was at home and I was struggling with my plumbing, or with the electrical. I’d save it, and when I went into The Washington Post that night, I knew who was skilled in that area. And I’d ask them and they’d explain what to do- they’d solve my problem! It was like a big family. It was really nice.

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