I dont know about other target groups, but panhandling is not acceptable in my Deaf
Community. I do get angry when I see Deaf person handling out " Pity me. I'm Deaf. I
need money", once they see a person start signing... they'd run fast before I even can
say "Get lost". THEY KNOWS. They do know it's not acceptable inside Deaf community. I
even had chase them out. Some folks warned me that they can get violence when asking
Deaf panhandlers to leave. It turned out it's s true. You do have to watch for your
safety. Twice I asked each of them ( two of them) and they suddenly turn into ugly
monster, threatening to hurt me. They often would say " You don't understand. I'm Deaf
and I have a hard life!". I don't feel sorry for them One time when I was working as a
caricature artist at Camp Snoopy ( Mall of America) a few years ago, I was scared wit
out of my head when I saw Deaf beggar ( as I prefer to call them) soliciting a "
pity card", I told him I'm Deaf and he froze on his t
rack.
Then he became angry telling me to get out of my way and let him do his business. I
followed him in a safe distance telling hearing people DO NOT give this beggar a
cent. He then turn to me swearing at me in ASL ( yes this happen at MOA). I told am
employee to call for security and I continue to follow him out the door, all the while
he was swearing at me. Security guard came a bit too late.
It does make me angry because this is NOT how I want Deaf community to represent
themselves. It is true that majority of Deaf community members do not have a job. It
is true that only one percent have gone to college. It is true they have difficult
life. It is true they have face barrier on every single day. BUT IT IS NOT true that
people would have to feel sorry for them because I know if a Deaf person make up his
or her mind to fight and be successful, they can do it. I want people to know Deaf
person can do anything hearing person can do except to hear. That s it. I want to
represent Deaf community members as an intelligent, members and can take care of
themselves. They do not need anyone to feel sorry for them. But when a Deaf beggar
come along, it is truly insult to our intelligent and our dignity.
So when I read an article about Minneapolis Council taking on vote on anti- begging
policy. Granted, I do support people's right to say anything as they darn well please.
But it is NOT ok to anyone to give a dime to any Deaf beggars. I will still chase them
out of Nicollett Mall if I must. So...I'm concern this might give Deaf beggars a
message it is ok to beg. They can go somewhere else but NOT IN MY CITIES, either
Minneapolis or St.Paul.
Ellie Kidder
Standish
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