Passerby documented his deadly encounter with the police. His crime — trying to spend a bogus $20 bill. Handcuffed, arms behind his back, laying on the street, videos showed a police officer suffocating George Floyd by kneeling on his neck. Outrage over his murder ignited protests calling for police reforms and ending social injustices in American cities and around the world that persist today.
Crowds lined the streets leading to the Fountain of Praise Church in Houston, Texas while a global audience tuned into media sources to witness the spirit-filled memorial service for Floyd. Famous politicians, athletics, Hollywood celebrities, and Civil Rights icons joined his family, friends, and local citizens to celebrate his legacy.For the deaf and hard of hearing, however, their attention focused on American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter Charline Smith, who stood center stage for much of the service. Like a dancer swaying to rhythms, Smith clapped, bobbed her head, and thumped her chest as her body rocked in sync all while translating the music and messages that filled the air. Gloria Alix, an ASL interpreter, also signed during the service.
Hearing loss may result from genetic causes, complications at birth, infectious diseases, chronic ear infections, drugs, exposure to excessive noise, and aging. The U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, reports that 30 million Americans have hearing loss in one or both ears. |
Charline Smith Mothers teach their babies simple words. But Shirley Simmons, Charline Smith’s mother, taught her the skills of sign language. “My mother is deaf. So, I learned to sign as a baby. I suspect that I was signing before I could talk.”
Almost half of Ms. Simmons’ relatives are deaf or hard of hearing. Both of her parents were deaf. Similarly, Ms. Simmons’s brother and his wife are deaf. Smith added, “Of my uncle’s seven children, four are deaf, and one is hard of hearing. Most of their 25 grandkids are either deaf or hard of hearing.”
Charline Smith worked as a secretary before being credentialed through the Texas Board of Evaluation for Interpreters in 1995. Employers are required by law to have interpreters for their hard of hearing or deaf employees. Describing her job she said, “I am a community interpreter. I attend medical appointments, job interviews, and job trainings with clients. I also work as a video remote interpreter. This allows the deaf or hard of hearing to communicate with a hearing person via videoconferencing.”
Does being deaf limit opportunities? Smith explains, “Many of my relatives cannot speak or hear, but they have had full, rewarding lives. One of my cousins was Ms. Black Deaf Advocate, another cousin is an engineer.”
Smith’s two adult daughters are also proficient sign language interpreters. Smith said, “Of course, they had to know how to communicate with their grandmother.”
Almost half of Ms. Simmons’ relatives are deaf or hard of hearing. Both of her parents were deaf. Similarly, Ms. Simmons’s brother and his wife are deaf. Smith added, “Of my uncle’s seven children, four are deaf, and one is hard of hearing. Most of their 25 grandkids are either deaf or hard of hearing.”
Charline Smith worked as a secretary before being credentialed through the Texas Board of Evaluation for Interpreters in 1995. Employers are required by law to have interpreters for their hard of hearing or deaf employees. Describing her job she said, “I am a community interpreter. I attend medical appointments, job interviews, and job trainings with clients. I also work as a video remote interpreter. This allows the deaf or hard of hearing to communicate with a hearing person via videoconferencing.”
Does being deaf limit opportunities? Smith explains, “Many of my relatives cannot speak or hear, but they have had full, rewarding lives. One of my cousins was Ms. Black Deaf Advocate, another cousin is an engineer.”
Smith’s two adult daughters are also proficient sign language interpreters. Smith said, “Of course, they had to know how to communicate with their grandmother.”
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